Yes. Women will experience an increase in sexual sensitivity and arousal, sexual desire, and will result in more fulfilling intimate encounters. Sex is not only important in the physical sense, but in the emotional as well. Increasing your libido will make both you and your partner more sexually satisfied and emotionally connected.

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There are many products to choose from. We have researched the best products and compiled a list of the most effective female libido enhancers for you. Based on customer feedback regarding increase in sexual sensitivity, increase in sexual drive, customer service, price, and overall satisfaction, LibidoForHer earns our recommendation as the best libido enhancer.

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When your lips are moist and well nourished, you feel sexier and look younger. Cushy lips lip plumper is one product that really delivers the promise of fuller lips, You will see results instantly.

The ingredients in Cushy lips lip plumper are natural.

• The first ingredient is macadamia nut oil, straight from the macadamia tree, pure and whole. Other lip plumpers use extracts, a major difference found in Cushy lips lip plumper.

• Next, is castor oil found in Cushy lips lip plumper, which contains high levels of ricinoleic acid, an unsaturated omega-9 fatty acid. Castor oil is ultra moisturizing.

• The third ingredient in Cushy lips lip plumper is vitamin B12 for its ability to nourish the blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the surface of the skin. The result is fuller lips.

• Menthol is added to Cushy lips to bring beneficial blood and nutrients to the lips, as well as providing refreshment and relief to chapped or cracked lips.

• Camphor in Cushy lips lip plumper protects the lips from bacteria. Camphor cools the lips, is quickly absorbed, and has known antimicrobial properties. Camphor also enhances circulation to the blood vessels that supply the surface skin of the lips.

• Vitamin E or tocopherol in Cushy lips lip plumper acts as an antioxidant in addition to providing more moisture. Tocopherols, over time, penetrate the deeper layers of the skin, leading to the enhanced plumping effect if Cushy lips.

• Benzyl Nicotinate, from Niacin dilates blood vessels, bringing more blood flow to the lips. Niacin (also called Nicotinic Acid) and Niacinamide (called Nicotinamide)

, are compounds of water-soluble vitamin B complex.

According to Kristen Warren, age 29, a make-up artist:

“I have to say it without a doubt outperforms any other lip plumper of its type on the market. It does really visibly increase the size and softness of your lips, and it has a very pleasant texture to it. When I did the make-up for a photo-shoot last week I used Cushy Lips on the models, and afterwards all of them wanted to know what I had used on them so they could go out and buy it as well.

Thanks for bringing out a product that works!”

Kelly Burns, 33, has this to say:

“My husband is a huuuuge fan of Angelina Jolie, and of course of Ms. Jolie's pouty lips. Unfortunately, I am rather "challenged" in the lip department. I'm generally not an insecure woman, but this is something I didn't feel really good about. I started doing some research into collagen injections, but when I read you have to keep repeating them I gave up on that idea, being terrified of needles. My sister gave me Cushy Lips, because she knows of my "issue", and after just a day the most wonderful thing happened: my husband thought something "changed", but he could not quite put his finger on it, until he kissed me. He told me my lips had become softer, and when he took a better look he also noticed they were "plumper". After a week the results were even more obvious!”

You can read more testimonials, and order Cushy Lips lip plumper at www.cushylips.com

Skin problems can occur at any age, but there may be a way to avoid them or even correct them by using a product that is made with all natural ingredients, Revitol. According to recent reviews and customer testimonials, Revitol products offer more that great skin care; they offer the peace of mind that using the best can give you.

Revitol products have a lot to offer:

• Anti-Aging Solutions: When you use Revitol Anti-Aging Solutions, you can give your skin the youthful appearance you are looking for. With regular use, you will notice that you have fewer wrinkles and age spots than before and that your skin is smoother and actually glows with a more youthful look.
• Revitol Stretch Mark Prevention: This product will help make stretch marks fade, and may even prevent new stretch marks from appearing.
• Revitol Cellulite Solution: Cellulite is the fatty deposits that can often appear on the thighs and in other areas of the body. It looks chunky and may appear to be dimpled. Using Revitol Cellulite Solution can help reduce the appearance of cellulite, making your problem areas more appealing.
• Skin Exfoliator: Revitol Skin Exfoliator contains oatmeal and helps clean away dead skin that can appear to be unsightly dry patches. It also helps restore the youthful, smooth complexion you want to see.
• Acne Spot Gel: Acne can be a problem for all age groups. If you use Revitol Acne Spot Gel on your problem areas, you will notice a significant change.
• Revitol Skin Brightener Cream: If your skin tone appears blah, you may want to try the Skin Brightener Cream. It can bring your skin tone from blah to wow!
• Hair Removal Cream: If you have areas where you don't want to bother tweezing, waxing, or shaving, try Revitol Hair Removal Cream.
• Acnezine Skin Treatment: Revitol Acnezine Skin Treatment offers a care management system that will not only help rid you of acne, but help prevent future attacks for occurring if used regularly.

When you decide to make steps toward healthier, younger looking skin, Revitol may offer just the products you need to help you achieve your goal. Younger, healthier, glowing skin is just around the corner with Revitol. The rewards will be worth the time it takes to find the right products for you.

Revitol products are made with all natural ingredients and have great customer testimonials available for you to read. For more information about Revitol products, visit www.revitol.com.

There are several forms of the chemical in breast implants that can cause a problem in the human organism. Silicon (Si) is the basic element and probably causes immune system changes. Silica or SiO2 is the form it is mined from the earth. Silicone gel is a synthetic material containing 38% silicon. The silica is 45% silicon. There is slow leakage ("bleeding") of the silicone gel from the implants through the semi-permeable membrane envelope and also into and through the capsule that surrounds the implants. This is picked up by the microphages (scavenger cells) of our immune system and is broken down inside these cells which travel all over the body. The gel breaks down inside these cells, which travel all over the body. The gel breaks down into Silica and Silicon which causes an immune system dysregulation. Thus, there are antibodies produced against the silicon and also against the silicon and protein complex (organ systems) so that you get autoimmune illness.

Below is the List of Chemicals which experts have analyzed to be in the explanted breast implant shell envelopes and gels.

Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Cyclohexane, Isopropyl Alcohol, Denatured Alcohol ,Acetone, Urethane, Lacquer thinner, Ethyl Acetate, Epoxy Resin, Epoxy hardener, Amine, Printing ink, Toluene, Freon, Silicone, Lofol (formaldehyde), Flux Metal, cleaning acid, Eastman 910 glue (Cyanoacyryiates), Talcum Powder, Color Pigments as release agents Oakite (a cleaning solvent), Ethylene Oxide (ETO), Carbob black, Xylene, Hexane, Hexanone 2, Antioxidant (rubber) ,Zinc Oxide, Naphtha (rubber solvent), Phenol Benzene-Known carcinogen!!!!

ALSO..... Polyvinyl Chloride (Liquid Vinyl) This ingredient was used in all medical devices made at Edwards Lab, from tubing to gel.

Methylene Chloride/Dichloromethane. This breaks down in the body so blood cannot carry oxygen. It metabolizes carbon monoxide poisoning and causes central nervous system depression.

For more information visit: http://www.breastactives.com/?aid=614859

Anti-Hair Loss Shampoos : Rub-a-Dub Dub – But Gently PleaseOne easy-to-try option is a shampoo specifically designed to increase the health of existing hair and to reduce the rate of hair loss in both men and women. There are several sources to investigate specific shampoos, research studies which can be accessed to determine the effectiveness of many of these products.

Good professional sources include dermatologists and licensed cosmeticians who see hair loss conditions frequently and have had the opportunity to observe the efficacy of a variety of shampoos. As well, an Internet “Google” search will provide hundreds of products, complete with testimony and small research studies.It’s easy to get confused when investigating the hundreds of shampoos available. With some background knowledge of what has shown to be effective in larger, previous studies, however, you can make more intelligent choices about the shampoos you choose for experimentation. And that is the great thing about shampoos – they are relatively inexpensive in this maze of hair loss/regrowth methods, so you can try lots of them without breaking your budget!

1. Surfactants: People feel good when their shampoos lather up nicely. Lather, however, is just for psychological effect. Somehow we believe that the more lather a shampoo produces, the cleaner our hair must be getting. Hogwash! The ingredient that causes lather is call a surfactant and does not have cleaning properties. Other ingredients in shampoos actually do the cleaning. Surfactants are, however, pretty harsh, and, for someone who is experiencing more-than-normal hair loss, surfactants should be avoided. There are lots of shampoos out there without it – try some.

2. Herbal Ingredients: The most notable herb with some success in hair loss difficulty is Saw Palmetto. Shampoos with this ingredient are certainly worth a try. Saw Palmetto seems to inhibit the production of DHT in men, for example, and DHT causes hair follicles to shrink and close up.

3. Nettle and bay have also been helpful to some people. Shampoos which include these might help you too.

4. Essential Oils: These oils are concentrated ones which come from plants such as lavender. From ancient times, these have been used to stimulate healthy hair and to decrease the rate of hair loss. We know that we have much to learn from early medicine men and healers. Perhaps this is another example.

5. Tea Tree Oil: Many swear by this ingredient, and there are several brands of this on the market. So popular are these shampoos, you can find them at most any drug store as well as health product retailers. As an aside, tea tree oil has also been found to be effective in the prevention of head lice infestations. There are no definitive studies to show that shampoos can actually result in regrowth of hair that is caused by what we all “permanent” conditions, largely the result of heredity and hormones. However, early prevention is important, and experimenting with shampoos during these early stages may provide invaluable help in reducing the rate of loss.

For more information visit: http://www.provillus.com

Educating yourself about your candida infection is the first and most important step in curing this painful, annoying and relatively dangerous chronic condition and taking responsibility over your health and well-being.

Although yeast infection (known by the names of Candida, Monilia or Thrush) is in fact a very common condition, (as three out of four women develop it at some point in their lifetimes), it is little discussed. Most people regard candida infection as a ‘on the surface’ problem that should be treated with creams and antibiotics whereas few are aware of its potentially risky complications.

Yeast Infection is first and foremost an internal problem. Like most chronic conditions, there is never one cause for this fungal problem and thus yeast infection cannot be permanently eliminated using medications or creams that work superficially and fail to tackle the root factors that trigger the formation of candida infection in the first place.

The problem is that the majority of yeast infection sufferers choose to leave it in the hands of others: Doctors, pharmacists, drug and over the counter industries. They willingly choose NOT to take responsibility for their candida condition, for their health and for their own body.

If you suffer from yeast infection then you must have experienced the confusion stemmed from conflicting advice and from information overload. Honest information about vaginal yeast infection or any other type of candida infection is harder to come by than ever before, and nearly everyone has been misled at one time or another. I know I have. I wasted literally thousands of dollars on candida treatment programs that didn’t “work out” and anti-yeast infection products that didn’t do anything.

Furthermore, to successfully navigate through today’s jungle of misleading, dishonest and conflicting information, you're going to have to become a very shrewd and discriminating consumer.

There are in fact, alternative, cheap, safe, natural and holistic health practices and methods necessary to permanently eliminate the symptoms of this disease and cure the root internal cause of yeast infection regardless of its type, location, or level of severity.

To effectively overcome candida infection, you need to be aware of the real cause of yeast infection and be able to identify its symptoms. You need to know how to self-test and diagnose your candida condition, learn about the dietary principals needed to maintain a candida free environment and about the complimentary treatments that will help you battle against the negative effects and complications of your yeast infection.

By educating yourself about the steps you need to take in order to deal with your candida infection condition and help your body heal itself and control the fungal overgrowth from the inside out you can and will eliminate the pain, annoyance, humiliation and frustration associated with this condition and feel more in control. Additionally, as a side benefits you’ll feel more energized, healthier and vibrant. You will enjoy improved digestion, enhanced vision, and healthier hair, skin and nails.

Knowledge is power. Embrace it. Share it and apply it and you will be yeast infection free.

This article is based on the book, "Yeast Infection No More" by Linda Allen. Linda is an author, researcher, nutritionist and health consultant who dedicated her life to creating the ultimate holistic yeast infection solution guaranteed to permanently cure the root of candida and dramatically improve the overall quality of your life, naturally, without the use prescription medication and without any side effects. Learn more by visiting her website:
http://www.yeastinfectionnomore.com

By Jason Ferruggia

How to build big calves… it’s a question that I pondered for many years as a kid, being born with calves like string beans. After much experimentation, what I finally realized was that high volume works great for calves. They are probably the hardest muscle to build. Just doing a few sets for them never did anything for me. Since I had no desire to train them and preferred to focus on strength, athleticism and bigger compound lifts they stayed that way for years.

The only time they finally responded was when I hit them with very high volume. I usually do this for about a month and then I am bored to tears and stop training calves again for another year. Also, you can't really tolerate the high volume loading for too long before you will start to develop some ankle/achilles problems. If you are an athlete and run or jump a lot, don't even consider doing high volume calf work.

But if how to build big calves is a question that you obsess over, and you just want to get them jacked then you need to really increase your volume and frequency. I once put two inches on my calves in just over a month! Now, don't get me wrong, my calves are still nowhere near huge, but the point is you can add significant size to your calves if you really want to.

They were Arnold's worst bodypart and he dedicated all his time and effort to bringing them up. He even cut all of his pants off at the knee so he had to suffer the embarrassment of having his calves exposed wherever he went.

One option is to do a set of calves between every set of every exercise you do at each workout. Be sure to go heavy, get a good, deep stretch and hold it for a second (and up to ten seconds) at the bottom and get all the way up on your big toe at the top while flexing your calves hard. When you do standing calves your knees should be slightly bent on the way down and then locked out on the way up.

Another option is to start each workout (or each lower body day) with calves. One day per week would be heavy standing calf raises for 5-10 sets of 5-8 reps and the other day would be seated calf raises done for 4-5 sets of 15-30 reps.

You should also consider training the tibialis anterior muscles. These are the muscles that run down the front of your shin. Some people develop imbalances from too much ankle extension and not enough ankle flexion. When this happens and becomes a problem, the calves will not grow. So train these muscles by hanging your feet off the end of a bench and holding a dumbbell or DARD device between them and flexing your feet up toward you for a few sets of 10-20 reps, twice a week.

After you finish up with standing, seated and donkey calf raises and the tib raises, try doing farmers walks for up to five or even ten minutes while remanining on your toes the entire time. This will absolutely smoke your calves.

Finally, finish up your workouts with 10-20 minutes of jumping rope.

The above strategies should definitely get anyone’s calves to grow rapidly in a couple of months. Just be sure to ease into the extra volume slowly and gradually and take a step back if your ankles start to bother you.

If you are currently doing only 3-4 sets of calves twice per week you should slowly add a set or two at every workout until you get to about 10 or so. Ten hard, heavy sets plus the farmers walks and jumping rope should be more than enough for most people to add an inch or so in a month.

Now you know how to build big calves. For more information on adding size to the rest of your body check out http://www.MuscleGainingSecrets.com now.

Train hard,

Jason Ferruggia

Jason Ferruggia is a world famous fitness expert who is renowned for his ability to help people build muscle as fast as humanly possible. He is the head training adviser for Men’s Fitness Magazine where he also has his own monthly column dedicated to muscle building. For more How to Build Muscle Fast tips, check out http://www.musclegainingsecrets.com/

Both men and women suffer from infertility caused by various reasons. However, it’s important for both the sex to undergo treatment for this complicated issue. Various known and unknown factors cause infertility in women. These include diseases like endometriosis, diminished ovarian reserve, ovulation disorders, and low progesterone level. Low sperm count and low sperm motility, STD, injury or chronic diseases, sperm blockage and ageing are some of the reasons men for, which suffer.

Scheduled drugs and systematic treatment can cure most of the above mentioned infertility problems except ageing and chronic diseases, although these treatments are quite expensive and may have harmful side effects. Additional treatment may be required to cure the side effects. Treatments conducted through IVF or In Vitro Fertilization and ICSI or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection is best among the other methods of infertility treatment. In this technique, the egg cells outside the womb are fertilized by the sperm and then transferred inside. This treatment is suggested when other techniques fail to give results. This technique is a hormonally controlled ovulation progression. In this treatment involves, the ova is removed from the female’s ovaries and helps the sperm to fertilize in a fluid medium. But this is not a normal process at all and involves excavation of the eggs from the ovary, fertilizing them in an outside laboratory and putting them back in the uterus. In the normal process, the human decides to pick the healthiest sperm for reproducing the egg but in the artificial process, the embryologist takes this decision. However, when he fails to pick the healthiest sperm and egg, it may cause the ill health of the child during birth and even later in life.

Some alternative techniques with a holistic approach are fast becoming popular in order to cure the problem of secondary infertility. These techniques are all the more preferred by people as these have less or no side effects at all.

The acupuncture method, for example, especially ear acupuncture or Auricular is very effective in cases where female infertility has been caused by some kind of malfunction of the ovary. The hormonal message that is transferred from brain to ovary is the most beneficial result received from this technique. In accordance to the investigative trials, those women who have received acupuncture treatment for about 30 times within a time period of 3 months have shown good results. Those female who underwent hormonal therapy along with it suffered from side effects.

In the alternative treatment techniques, diet and lifestyle changes are given a lot of importance. Regular intake of such things that contain caffeine like coffee, chocolate, cocoa, green tea (containing caffeine), black tea and colored soft drinks which has harmful effects on conception is discouraged. According to a study, one and a half cup of coffee for a woman who is trying for pregnancy is sure to delay her conception. Thus coffee is a strictly a no-no for patients suffering from infertility.

Diets that include fish contaminated with PCB or Polychlorinated Biphenyls are also believed to be a cause for substantial reduction in the ability to become pregnant. According to one study, women who had more than one meal containing fish contaminated with PCBs (procured from Lake Ontario), developed reduced fecundity within a month.

The best result for the treatment of infertility has been reported through the Chinese medicines, acupuncture and of course, the holistic approach. The holistic approach reaches to the depth of the problem and only then delivers physical, spiritual as well as emotional treatment, rather than only investigating the organs. On the other side, the conventional approach to the problem of infertility fails to successfully detect and remove the real causes and moreover, causes side effects. The holistic approach suggests a natural remedy and a way of life that can really solve the problem as soon as the real cause is determined.

This article is based on the book, "Pregnancy Miracle" by Lisa Olson. Lisa is an author, researcher, nutritionist and health consultant who dedicated her life to creating the ultimate pregnancy solution guaranteed to permanently reverse the root of infertility, help you get pregnant quickly and naturally and dramatically improve the overall quality of your life, without the use prescription medication and without any surgical procedures. Learn more by visiting her website

If you are looking ways to increase height and are still in the process of growing, there are many different things you can do to help this process along.

Your diet, of course, plays an important role in growing taller. By eating foods rich in protein, calcium, amino acids, and calories, you will give your body the energy and nutrients it needs to grow and renew itself. It will also help when you exercise to increase height.

There are many different scams out there that claim that you can exercise to increase height after your body is finished growing. Do not believe these claims, for they are simply not effective ways to increase height. There is no way to lengthen your bones, short of surgery, once they stop growing on their own.

Why is this? To understand, it’s good to know a little bit about how we grow at all. When we are first born, much of our bones consist of flexible cartilage. As we grow, much of the cartilage fuses together to form solid bone. In our teenage years, growth plates located on the ends of long bones gradually lengthen. Eventually these growth plates stop growing once we reach the end of puberty. Not even hormone treatments or vitamin supplements can make them grow again.

However, by exercising regularly while you are still young, you can speed up your growth process as well as promote healthy bones long into your life. By keeping good habits, such as a healthy diet and steady exercise, you can even prevent bone weakening diseases as well as the shrinking that occurs frequently during old age.

Another advantage of using exercise to increase height at an early age is that it releases height growth hormones, which speeds the growth process.

What are some of these exercises? Contrary to what you may think, many useful exercises that release height growth hormones do not involve stretching. Instead, focus on workout routines that focus on strengthening your muscles. Not only will this improve your overall appearance, but it will promote bone strength as your weight increases.

Want to learn more ways to increase height? Visit this website.

If you suffer from...

* Palpitations

* a pounding heart, or an accelerated heart rate

* Sweating

* Trembling or shaking

* Shortness of breath

* A choking sensation

* Chest pain or discomfort

* Nausea or stomach cramps

* Derealization (a feeling of unreality)

* Fear of losing control or going crazy

* Fear of dying Numbness or a tingling sensation

* Chills or hot flashes

(Source: American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) 2000 Washington, DC.)

...then you've experienced firsthand some of the possible symptoms of a panic or anxiety attack. If you are reading this page because a loved one suffers from these symptoms and you are trying to understand or help, it's hard to appreciate what they go through.

Just try to imagine what it feels like to experience one, if you can.

Here is a typical example:

Standing in a supermarket queue, it’s been a long wait but only one customer to go before you make it to the cashier. Wait, what was that sensation? An unpleasant feeling forms in your throat, your chest feels tighter, now a sudden shortness of breath, and what do you know—your heart skips a beat. “Please, God, not here.”

A quick scan of the territory—is it threatening? Four unfriendly faces queue behind, one person in front. Pins and needles seem to prick you through your left arm, you feel slightly dizzy, and then the explosion of fear as you dread the worst. You are about to have a panic attack.

There is no doubt in your mind now that this is going to be a big one. Okay, focus: Remember what you have been taught, and it is time now to apply the coping techniques. Begin the deep breathing exercise your doctor recommended. In through the nose, out through the mouth.

Think relaxing thoughts, and again, while breathing in, think “Relax,” and then breathe out. But it doesn’t seem to be having any positive effect; in fact, just concentrating on breathing is making you feel self-conscious and more uptight.

Okay, coping technique 2:

Gradual muscle relaxation. Tense both shoulders, hold for 10 seconds, then release. Try it again. No; still no difference. The anxiety is getting worse and the very fact that you are out of coping techniques worsens your panic. If only you were surrounded by your family, or a close friend were beside you so you could feel more confident in dealing with this situation.

Now, the adrenaline is really pumping through your system, your body is tingling with uncomfortable sensations, and now the dreaded feeling of losing complete control engulfs your emotions. No one around you has any idea of the sheer terror you are experiencing. For them, it’s just a regular day and another frustratingly slow queue in the supermarket.

You are out of options. Time for Plan C.

The most basic coping skill of all is “fleeing.” Excuse yourself from the queue; you are slightly embarrassed as it is now that it is your turn to pay. The cashier is looking bewildered as you leave your shopping behind and stroll towards the door. There is no time for excuses—you need to be alone. You leave the supermarket and get into your car to ride it out alone. Could this be the big one? The one you fear will push you over the edge mentally and physically. Ten minutes later the panic subsides.

It’s 10:30 a.m. How are you going to make it through the rest of the day?

If you suffer from panic or anxiety attacks, the above scenerio probably sounds very familiar. It may have even induced feelings of anxiety and panic just reading it. The particular situations that trigger your panic and anxiety may differ; maybe the bodily sensations are a little different. Or maybe it happened to you for the first time on a plane, in the dentist chair, or even at home, while doing nothing in particular.

If you have ever had what has become known as a “panic attack,” take comfort in the fact that you are by no means alone.

A panic attack always comes with the acute sense of impending doom. You feel you are either about to lose your mind or one of your vital bodily functions is about to cease functioning and you will end your days right there among the canned goods and frozen food.

You are by no means alone; you’re not even one in a million. In America, it is estimated that almost 5% of the population suffer from some form of anxiety disorder. For some, it may be the infrequent panic attacks that only crop up in particular situations-like when having to speak in front of others, while, for other people, it can be so frequent and recurring that it inhibits them from leaving their home. Frequent panic attacks often develop into what medical physicians refer to as an “anxiety disorder.”

One of the first steps to regaining control of your life is getting helpful information. This site will give you that, and more.

The beginning of your recovery starts here. What you will learn is that there is a very good chance you are about to end the cycle of panic attacks in your life. You will learn not only to regain the carefree life you remember once having, but will also gain new confidence in living. Your answer to living free from “panic” or “anxiety attacks” is at hand.

This site demonstrates that the panic and anxiety that you have experienced will be the very key to your courage and success.

Begin the road to recovery by browsing through the site. While many of you may have read almost everything you can possibly read relating to panic and anxiety I assure you this site offers something very effective.

Did you know...?

The key difference between someone who is cured of panic attacks and those who are not is really very simple. The people who are cured no longer fear panic attacks. I’ll try to show you how to be one of these people as well.

What if I told you the trick to ending panic and anxiety attacks is to want to have one. That sounds strange, even contradictory, but let me explain.

The trick to panic attacks is wanting to have one-the wanting pushes it away. Can you have a panic attack in this very second? No!

You know the saying that "what you resist, persists." Well that saying applies perfectly to fear. If you resist a situation out of fear, the fear around that issue will persist. How do you stop resisting–you move directly into it, into the path of the anxiety, and by doing so it cannot persist.

In essence what this means is that if you daily voluntarily seek to have a panic attack, you cannot have one. Try in this very moment to have a panic attack and I will guarantee you cannot. You may not realize it but you have always decided to panic. You make the choice by saying this is beyond my control.

Another way to appreciate this is to imagine having a panic attack as like standing on a cliff's edge. The anxiety seemingly pushes you closer to falling over the edge.

To be rid of the fear you must metaphorically jump. You must jump off the cliff edge and into the anxiety and fear and all the things that you fear most.

How do you jump? You jump by wanting to have a panic attack. You go about your day asking for anxiety and panic attacks to appear.

Your real safety is the fact that a panic attack will never harm you. That is medical fact. You are safe, the sensations are wild but no harm will come to you. Your heart is racing but no harm will come to you. The jump becomes nothing more than a two foot drop! Perfectly safe.

Learn more

http://www.panicportal.com

Joe Barry is an international panic disorder coach. His informative site on all issues related to panic and anxiety attacks can be found here:http://www.panicportal.com

The average penis size has been a “bone” of contention for decades and decades. The reason it’s so frequently debated, argued over and worried about is because the issue affects so many people, male and female. For men, a small penis means possible harassment in gym showers and embarrassment in bed. For women it presents a different problem: its below-average size could well limit their sexual pleasure and at the same time inhibit the man’s confidence so much that his sexual performance could also be unsatisfactory.

It’s really no wonder penis size, and the average length and girth of the male anatomy, is talked about so much – by millions of people all over the world, of both sex, it’s almost considered a yardstick for a guy’s manhood. A small penis is bad, while a big, thick penis is good – the line has been clearly drawn in the sand, regardless of whether it’s right or wrong. I’ll tell you right now what the average size is. Forget about the average penis sizes of different races; even if there is a slight difference it won’t affect you much. Here’s the only figure that might: the average size is about 5 and 3 quarter inches in erect length. The average girth is about 5 inches around (which might sound a lot, but wrap a fabric tape measure around your own and it’ll seem much more modest).

Thing is, knowing those numbers doesn’t put most men at ease and I doubt it has you. Why? Because it doesn’t change anything. Yeah, you might be half an inch bigger than average, or perhaps an inch thicker down below than most other guys, but that feeling of inadequacy, of wanting more, is probably still there. It’s completely natural, too. Let’s say you’re 6 and a half inches long when erect, knowing you’re an inch and a bit bigger than average is great, right? But at the very same time, you know lots of guys have 7, 8 or 9 inch penises – how great would that be? And that right there is the true subject of this article. Forget averages, let’s talk enlargement.

Right off the bat, natural penis enlargement (that is, making your penis longer and thicker without surgery, without pills and without crazy suction devices) is completely possible. Instead of telling you how it is or why it works, I’ll describe how you can see for yourself how truly achievable new penis growth is. Let’s look at a technique called a ‘Dry Jelq’ – it’s used to target new, permanent growth in the thickness of your erect AND flaccid penis.

Step 1. Get a 40-50% erection, no more, no less.

Step 2. Create a circle using the thumb and forefinger of your right hand. It should look like the ‘OK’ sign people make when they want to signal something’s good or acceptable. Your other fingers (middle, ring and pinky) should be outstretched.

Step 3. Firmly grip the base of your penis using the ‘OK’ sign and slowly move your grip upwards towards the head of your penis. Don’t slide over the skin. Instead, focus on keeping your fingers on top of the same area of flesh all the time, while still sliding up and along the shaft. Think of it like the motion used when milking a cow. The blood in your penis is forced up towards and into the head.

Step 4. After you’ve milked from the base to just below where the head of your penis starts, release your grip. You’ve completed one repetition or ‘rep’. Do 20-30 reps for your first session and increase it to 50 once you’ve been doing it a couple of weeks.

The Dry Jelq is just one technique of dozens that have been specially designed and tested and that truly work, with a little bit of patience and practice, at increasing the size of your penis. After using dry jelqs for a couple of weeks you’ll already notice that your penis hangs heavier and lower day-to-day and that it feels more weighty and solid when you’re hard. Using this and the other fundamental techniques as a routine that you do a couple of times a week, you can not only TRULY forget about averages but also forget about BEING average.

Roger is a ‘personal trainer’ at PenisAdvantage – a site containing a complete guide that details exactly how any guy can enlarge his penis using natural exercises and techniques.

Everybody has heard of “low carb" diets -- since they are emerging as the newest trend in dieting.

But do they really work? ...And if so, are they the solution to weight loss that everybody is looking for?

We don’t think so, because most low carb diets have several problems which make losing weight very difficult for the “average” dieter.

For example, if you follow the Atkins diet (a popular low carb program) then the restriction on carbs for the first couple weeks is very severe (by almost any standards).

The Atkins program allows just 20 grams of "net carbs" per day during the first phase of the diet (which usually lasts for 2 weeks).

Just to give you an idea of how few carbs that really is – even a large apple has more than 20 grams of "net carbs".

This low level of carbs is often too severe for the “average” dieter to tolerate for 2 weeks straight, and in fact eating such a low level of carbs can make a person feel “weak” and “miserable” all day long (because your body needs more carbs than that for energy).

Other low carb diets (such as the South Beach Diet) are not quite as severe as the Atkins Plan, but in our opinion even the South Beach Diet is not as easy to follow as it could be.

We believe that a successful diet needs to be easy to follow – because that’s the only way that people will stick to the diet and lose weight.

We believe that diets should not make average people feel “miserable” and “weak” all day long, because if a diet makes people feel miserable and weak then it’s going to be very difficult for average dieters to adhere to such programs.

We’re not saying that all low carb diets are as restrictive as the Atkins Diet is, but we're saying that most low carb diets are so hard to follow that “average dieters” will probably wind up feeling hungry and weak all day long (which is not a good thing for dieting success in our opinion).

We believe that “low carbs” is not the answer to losing weight, since your body needs a reasonable amount of all 3 types of calories to lose weight consistently (protein, carbs, and fat).

The truth is that your body needs a reasonable amount of protein, carbs and fat calories too.

To lose weight quickly you must eat all 3 types of calories in the right proportions, and that’s why most dieters fail. They fail because nobody knows what the right proportions of calories should be.

To begin losing weight fast we recommend using the new Idiot Proof Diet -- since there are no specific "portion limits" at any meal (and dieters can eat as much as they need to at each meal). Also, unlimited amounts of certain condiments can be eaten with every meal.

This is a brand new type of diet never seen before.

A new study has confirmed what has already long been considered truth by many - that suffering from excessive sweating can negatively impact a person’s work performance.

According to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, a recent study presented at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting in San Francisco indicates that employees suffering from hyperhidrosis "were limited in performing physically demanding tasks 25% of the time, in mental and interpersonal tasks 20% of the time, in time management 17% of the time, and in work output 11% of the time."

The study goes on to say that "these rates of workplace limitations are similar to those experienced by workers suffering from depression, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis." The study estimated overall work productivity loss due to hyperhidrosis is "4.9%."

Luckily for the estimated 8 million Americans currently suffering from hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, Mike Ramsey (himself a hyperhidrosis sufferer) has just published book detailing a simple three-step, all-natural plan that is designed to stop excessive underarm sweating in two weeks or less.

In "Stop Sweating and Start Living" Ramsey fully describes his practical and unique treatment approach that permanently gets rid of a person's excessive underarm sweat problem – naturally and without side effects.

So far the treatment plan has proven to be effective for 96% of those who have tried it, Ramsey said.

Ramsey's process is made up of three simple steps, takes less than 30 seconds a day to complete and relies on readily available and inexpensive products.

Ramsey says that the process is easy to incorporate into your morning or evening routine, and guarantees that it will keep a person's underarm sweat problem away for the rest of their life!

Like many others with hyperhidrosis, Ramsey first began suffering from it in high school and over the years has tried just about every treatment he could think of to get rid of it or at least keep it under control: from using dozens of different antiperspirants to applying antiperspirants several times a day to wearing undershirts to soak up the sweat before it reached his outer shirt to changing clothes several times a day to holding his arms up in the car so that they were aligned with the air conditioner vents to using a device that pushes electrical currents through the skin and much, much more.

'At the time that I came up with this cure, I was working in an office eight to ten hours a day where I was surrounded by and interacted with colleagues continuously,' Ramsey said. 'In this environment, I was constantly concerned about my underarms -- a distraction that caused me to lose hours of productivity every week. My self-esteem and self-confidence, which were already low, plummeted even further.'

Ramsey went on to say. 'After years of pain and struggle, using the method I created I was able to cure my excessive sweat problem naturally in just two weeks, and was finally able to start living worry-free again.'

'This technique has proven to be highly practical, safe and effective and it’s worked quickly for me and for hundreds of other people who have read my book and tried it,' Ramsey said.

To learn more about "Stop Sweating and Start Living" and how you can get rid of excessive underarm sweat the safe and natural way - as well as boost your work performance visit www.preventsweating.com, where the book is also available for purchase.

by Jay Brewer

We can remember our first cup of Donut Shop coffee at the Northeastern Hotel and Diner in Northern Maine. It was nutty, sweet, and had a bit of a raspy feel to it in the throat. We'll also never forget how wired we felt after consuming nearly 5 cups. Coffee People makes great coffees (we really like their Black Tiger Bold), and most of them are on the extra-bold side. We were surprised to hear about the Donut Shop Coffee K Cups coming from Coffee People, because we think of Donut Shop coffee as a bit on the milder side, and very rich with Arabica infused taste.
How does Coffee People tackle this cup of classic american coffee? Is it mild? Or is it bold? How does it stack up against the other Coffee People K Cups out there?

First and foremost, the Coffee People Donut Shop Coffee is more on the medium to mild side, with a hint of extra bold flavor. It's very low in acid, and the raspy throat often accompanied by other Donut Shop Coffees is not present here. There is a nice flavor in the mouth after having a few sips, and the caffeine amount seems spot on.

Aroma - 8 - very modest
Acidity - 9 - low acid and very balanced to the coffee
Body - 7 - we wish there was a little more here
Flavor - 7 - it's good, just nothing amazing - but we like the hint of extra bold flavor
Mouth Feel - 8 - light but seems to match the name of the roast
Coffee Drinker - Light to Medium roast coffee drinker

Overall Rating: 82 - Average

Jay Kordich, formerly known as the Juiceman, or the Juice Guy, is back!

He took the television world by storm back in the 80s and 90s, almost single handedly turning the infomercial from a mere pitch into a blend of real entertainment and solid knowledge. Those infomercials sold almost a billion dollars worth of his famous Juiceman Juicer.

When he turned his hand to writing, his book, #1 New York Times Best Seller, 'The Juiceman's Power of Juicing', made publishing history in 1992, selling over 500,000 copies before they were even printed! Ultimately, the book sold over three million copies!

Superstar film actor and comedian, Jim Carrey, cemented Jay's place in popular culture by parodying him on the Wayan Brothers' In Living Color hit TV series.

Now, in a new century, and at 85 years of age, living proof of the success of his methods, Jay Kordich is ready to bring to the market his best Juicer ever, and share with the world the secrets of his health and longevity with his Living Health Program.

Energy is referred to as ‘Qi’, ‘Chi’, or ‘Ki’, the variation depending on which culture it is from and the translation system used. In early writings, what we call Qi Gong was referred to as Dao Yin. The term ‘Qi Gong’ has been used for only the last 70 years or so. ‘Qi Gong’ is translated as ‘Moving (Gong) Energy (Qi).’

Qi Gong is one of the most powerful Internal Exercises of which there are many. There are also many forms or styles of Qi Gong. One of the oldest is 18 Style which was depicted on bamboo artifacts discovered in China predating the use of parchment or paper.

Qi Gong, which is the foundation for all of the Martial Arts, has no self defense. It is an individual practice for creating health and longevity. Self defense developed with Tai Chi, and from there, into all of the other Martial Arts. Many practitioners of the Martial Arts maintain a Qi Gong ritual to build and sustain their energy.

A daily ritual practice of Qi Gong 18 Style circulates the energy (Qi) in the body, moving it through each of the Qi meridians (channels or pathways). By doing this ritual, the Qi energy in the body is balanced and replenished. Through the process of doing this ritual you use every muscle, move every joint and massage all of the internal organs and glands. When coordinating the movements with Rhythmic breathing, the effects of the circulating Qi are further enhanced. As with Yoga, which is known for balance, centering, calming, and strength building, Qi Gong also builds muscular strength and helps with coordination and is often referred to as “Chinese Yoga”.

To learn more about Qi Gong, please visit Tommy and Julia website.

THE HYPE Just when you thought it was safe to sit back, relax, and enjoy a few heart-protective glasses of wine, alcohol seems to have lost the healthy tag it enjoyed in the past. Headline after headline warned us of the dangers of even a few glasses of wine increasing our risk of developing cancer, particularly bowel and breast cancer.

THE REALITY If you want to drink, you should do so in moderation, It's not all bad news: "Alcohol can be good for your heart-but only if you're a post menopausal woman or a man over 40, and it may be only red wine that's beneficial," says Dr. Sarah Jarvis, a member of the Royal College of General Practitioners. Moderate amounts-that's a unit or less a day-can help reduce blood stickiness and increase levels of beneficial high-density lipoproteins. One unit is eight grams (10ml) of pure alocohol, which is equivalent to one small glass (125 ml of 12 percent alcohol) of wine, or half a pint (three to four percent alcohol) of beer.

Drinking more than the recommended amount turns the benefits into risks. It increases the risks of heart disease, making you more prone to high blood pressure and increasing the risk of mouth, esophageal, and probably liver cancer. It is recommended that women drink no more than two to three units in one day, while everyone should ensure they have several alcohol-free days every week (maximum of 14 units a week for women and 21 a week for men).

Small amounts of alcohol-even one or two units on a daily basis-do increase the risk of developing breast and bowel cancer. However, the increased risk is small-two alcoholic drinks a day rises your risk of breast cancer by around 14 percent and your risk of bowel cancer by around ten percent-and you need to put it into the perspective of your own individual risk. If your risk is small to start with, a small increase will still mean that it is quite low.

THE HYPE When experts from the World Cancer Research Fund warned that bacon should be off the menu, it was the final straw for many people. After reviewing the research, the experts decided that the links between processed meat, such as bacon, ham, and salami, and bowel cancer were so strong that they couldn't recommend a safe level. Red meat didn't escape blame-it was also linked to a higher risk of bowel cancer-but the experts recognized that there are health benefits in eating meat, so recommended that people limit the amount they consume to 500 grams of cooked meat (roughly two large steaks) a week.

THE REALITY You needn't ban bacon completely-or assume that what you've eaten will harm you. "Many other parts of your diet and lifestyle can affect the risk of bowel cancer," says Ed Young of Cancer Research UK. Lack of exercise, being overweight, and a high-fat, low-veggie diet are also important in bowel-cancer risk.

- Know your risk. One in 20 of us will develop bowel cancer, though your risk may be higher if you have a family history or are very inactive, for example. If you have other risk factors, you might choose to avoid processed meats.

- The bacon ban grabbed the headlines, but the report also found that we should all try to be as lean as possible and take more exercise to cut our risk of cancer.

The benefits of breastfeeding may go beyond good health and proper nutrition

Among the benefits of breastfeeding is the delayed return of the menstrual period, hence ovulation resumes at a later time. This effect of breastfeeding on a woman who has just given birth is known as lactational amenorrhea. "Lactational" pertains to breastfeeding, and "amenorrhea" means not having monthly menstrual periods. It is counted among the natural methods of birth spacing, and is recommended to allow women to recover fully from the stresses of childbirth before the next baby comes.

CRITERIA FOR LAM

You need to comply with at least three criteria for the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) to achieve 98 to 99 percent effectiveness:

1. You should fully or nearly fully breastfeed. This means that you nurse your baby at least every four hours during daytime, and every six hours at night. No substitution or supplementation of breast milk should take place, whether it be water, juice, or cereal drink. A breast pump may be used if certain factors make it difficult to directly breastfeed (you may be away at work or are allowing some time for sore nipples to recover). In this case, use a breast pump then give breast milk to your baby by bottle. You should, however, be cautioned that your risk of pregnancy may be increased to five to six percent if artificial methods to express breast milk are utilized. This is because artificial breast pumps stimulate the release of the hormone prolactin in an amount that may vary from natural breastfeeding. This may not reliably prevent ovulation, increasing the chances of getting pregnant.

2. Your menstrual period has not yet returned. Resumption of menstrual period is defined as having bleeding or spotting for two consecutive days, occurring beyond the first two months after giving birth. This means that you may have resumed ovulating and are already fertile. In this situation, LAM may not be reliable as a birth spacing method.

3. Your baby should not be more than six months old. Infants beyond six months old already need supplemental feeding, hence the decrease in frequency of breastfeeding. With this, the ovarian function may no longer be reliably suppressed by the continuous secretion of the prolactin hormone, and fertile ovulatory periods subsequently return.

OTHER ALTERNATIVES

If you fail to meet even just one of the three criteria above, you should approach your health care provider for a more reliable method for birth spacing. The rhythm or calendar method may not be applicable at this point because ovulation, and hence menstruation, may still be erratic especially if you are still partially breastfeeding.

Barrier methods like condoms, and of course, abstinence will help you space your pregnancies. You may also be given hormonal contraceptives that may be started six weeks after you give birth. If you're breastfeeding, you should be given progesterone-only hormonal contraceptives such as the desogestrel pill, the lynestrenol pill, and the depot medroxyprogesterone injectable. Take the pills continuously, one tablet every day until you decide to have another child, or when you stop breastfeeding. Once you've weaned your baby, any ordinary combined oral contraceptive pill can replace the progesterone-only pill.

The incredible edible boasts a heretofore unknown health benefit: cutting breast cancer risk. Experts at the University of North Carolina found that increased consumption of choline, a nutrient found in egg yolks, lowers breast cancer risk by a whopping 24 percent. Get extra protection by eating an egg daily or serving up other choline-rich foods like nuts and beef, suggests study author Steven Zeisel, M.D.

The idea that fish is brain food may be more than folklore. In a recent European study of 2,031 elderly men and women, researchers found that those who significantly better on cognitive tests than those who ate little or none. And the more fish the study subjects ate-top performers averaged 2.6 ounces a day-the better they did on the tests, which included measures of memory and attention. A typical serving is four to six ounces, but think beyond fillets and steaks. Enjoy smoked salmon with your morning eggs or add canned tuna to a spicy tomato sauce and serve over pasta. You can also toss minced anchovies in your salad-they add zip without being too fishy.

Plastic baby bottles are thought by a lot of moms to be heaven-sent, and have become favorite gifts during baby showers, but in Canada, most are being banned and taken off shelves.

New studies, including those conducted by Health Canada, Canada's health ministry, are showing that a chemical ingredient in polycarbonate infant bottles is toxic. Bisphenol-a, or BPA, found in popular plastic baby bottles, is said to mimic the human hormone estrogen and had caused long-term changes in test animals exposed to it. Children up to the age of 18 months were the most at risk from BPA, according to Canadian Health Minister Tony Clement. The side effects? Behavioral and neural symptoms later in life, including early puberty in girls; reproductive issues; and maybe certain cancers. Adults have less to worry about, as exposure levels need to be extremely high before it proves to be unsafe.

The bad buzz was enough for a senator in the United States to introduce a bill banning the use of BPA-containing plastics in other children's products: toys and food containers, among other things. The ban extends only to polycarbonate plastics so you don't necessarily have to give up using all plastic baby bottles, although experts recommend switching back to good old glass ones. If you must use plastic, look under the bottle and check for the numbers 2 or 5, as these stand for the far less reactive polypropylene and polyethylene. Steer clear of the number 7-this is BPA-laden polycarbonate. And no matter what plastic you use, skip the microwave because high tempeatures break down the container's ingredients, which may leak into your food.

Source: The New York Times and MSN Health

Getting the perfect look-at-me pout is just a few easy steps-and a great tube of lipstick away.

1 PUCKER PREP
Just swipe and go, right? We wish! Simply putting gorgeous color on a dry, cracked mouth doesn't help it look better, says California-based makeup artist Valerie Sarnell. Scuff off dry, flaky skin each morning with a soft-bristle toothbrush, suggests Sarnell, or if your lips need more intense exfoliation, mush a teaspoon of brown sugar with a teaspoon of honey and rub the mixture over them. When they're baby-soft, apply a moisturizing (not greasy) balm first. Your lipstick will go on smoother and be less likely to clump or cake in the corners.

2 PRIME YOUR POUT
Priming one's lips has become a crucial step before applying lipstick as it works as a lip conditioner while making your lipstick's tint last longer. It also makes for a seamless lipstick application as it smoothens and refines lips.

3 SEAL THE DEAL
You don't have to buy the most expensive lipstick in the store to be sure it will last all day. Alternating layers of creamy and dry texttures is a surefire way to make even the cheapest stuff stay put for hours-and this technique helps prevent feathering, too. Start by lining and filling in your lips with a neutral pencil. Then use a brush-on lipstick-cum-gloss. Next, lightly blot your lips with a tissue and dust on a little translucent powder. Repeat the steps once or twice more for color that keeps going...and going...and going. If you're not into color, but still want a finished look that stays strong all day long, Sarnell advises using a cream concealer (one to two shades darker than your skin) as a lip color, then boost shine with a single coat of gloss on top.

4 STRIKE IT RICH
"Ring-around-the-mouth"-it's the phenomenon produced when lipstick fades faster than liner...and it's ain't pretty. The main cause? Drinking from a glass! Take a cue from models and actresses: They will discreetly lick the edge of the glass with their tongues before taking a sip. The saliva creates a barrier, keeping more color on your lips and less on the rim of the glass.

Stroke of the Shade
When putting on lipstick, it's better to start at the center of your mouth and work your way outwards, stopping just before hitting the corners. Keep your hand steady by resting your elbow on a flat surface, like a table or a countertop. And to ensure that the color stays put, blot the first application with a tissue, dust with translucent powder and layer on a second coat.

Yes, you've heard them before, but these five simple tips, as shared by Dr. Connie Garcia, a general practitioner, can really help you lead a longer life.

1. Get command of the scale. Control your weight. Have a healthy diet with a regular intake of fruits, vegetable, complex carbohydrates, and lean protein.

2. Get adequate sleep. A full night's rest rejuvenates our cells and helps maintain normal brain function.

3. Avoid alcohol and smoking. Alcohol increases the risk of liver damage, while smoking increases the risk of respiratory diseases such as asthma and lung cancer.

4. Exercise regularly. Three to four times a week for at least an hour is best.

5. Drink lots of water. Water keeps the body hydrated, helps organs function properly, and improves skin texture.

Psychologist Cristabel Fagela, who's also a teacher at the Behavioral Science Department of the University of the Philippines-Manila, tells us how to keep the passion burning.

1. Exercise! Apart from boosting your strength and endurance, physical activity also stimulates endorphins, your happy hormones-this means you'll have an easier time getting in the mood for love.

2. Think out of the box. Some couples like playacting, while others try out different sexual positions. Do whatever works best for you and your partner. Experiment!

3. Be confident. Being sexy isn't about how well endowed you are, it's about how comfortable you are in your own skin. When you love the way you look, you feel confident and secure, which makes you sexier in your lover's eyes.

Coming from the Greek words athero (meaning gruel or paste) and sclerosis (hardness), atherosclerosis involves deposits of fatty substances cholesterol, cellular waste products, and other substances in the artery's inner lining. Called "plague," this buildup usually affects both large and medium-sized arteries.

Atherosclerosis starts as early as childhood. A slow and complex disease, it often progresses as people age. In some people though the progress is more rapid and happens even in their twenty's.

Scientists believe this disease begins with damage to the innermost layer of the artery, called endothelium. Damage to this arterial wall are caused mainly by three things:

- Increased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood
- High blood pressure and
- Tobacco smoke

Research shows that males and those with a family history of premature cardiovascular disease have a greater risk of astherosclerosis. Unfortunately, these risk factors cannot be controlled. However, reducing the controllable risk factors for atherosclerosis prove to be beneficial. These controllable risk factors include:

- High bllod pressure
- Cigarette smoking / exposure to tobacco smoke
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes mellitus
- Obesity
- Physical inactivity

Tobacco smoke contributes to the worsening of atherosclerosis. It also speeds its growth in the coronary arteries, the aorta and arteries in the legs. Damage to the endothelium cause fats, cholesterol, platelets, cellular debris, calcium and other substances that bring about the further buildup of cells. These cells and the surrounding material then may increase in mass, enough to thicken the endothelium. This results in a shrink in the artery's diameter, decreasing blood flow and consequently reducing oxygen supply.

Why you forget some things (and not others)

Different kinds of memory are created and stored in different parts of the brain and respond differently to aging. Here are some examples:

EPISODIC MEMORY - The kind that you use to recall the name of a restaurant or the plot of a movie you saw a week ago. It starts to decline in your early 40s.

SEMANTIC MEMORY - The type that gives you the ability to collect and retain new facts and figures. It holds up pretty well, which is why you know what a blog is but forget your dentist's address.

PROCEDURAL MEMORY - The kind we draw on for tasks we do automatically, such as driving a car or playing the piano. This is also fairly resilient-so even if you can't think of your best friend's phone number, you can press the right keys on the telephone pad.

Mental Congestion

Multitasking makes it hard to commit things to memory in the first place. "Attention is the gateway to retention," says Barry Gordon, M.D., Ph.D., a professor of neurology and cognitive science at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in Baltimore. "If the information doesn't get in to begin with, forget trying to save it and access it later."

If your days is filled with multiple activities, don't rely on your recall skills. Make lists and take notes, and ask others to do the same.

Interestingly, people tend to blame age, rather than busyness, for their slips-and then may think their memory is worse than it really is.

Take the common lapse of forgetting someone's name. It happens to everybody, young and old. "Names are difficult to handle because they're abstract," says Dr. Gordon. The person's face and his name aren't logical ideas for the brain to link together. The older we get, the more data we have to sort through. Some mental lapses are nothing but congestion, says Dr. Gordon, who compares the middle-aged brain to a bridge at rush hour.

Also, we blank on names because we know too many of them. Anxiety makes it worse by creating more traffic. "That's why the name often pops into your mind later," he says, "when the mental traffic has died down."

Could it be an illness?

Certain medical problems can interfere with your ability to recall, notes Martin Goldstein, M.D., director of the division of cognitive neurology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. If you're struggling, see a doctor to rule out such possible cause as:

DEPRESSION - Mood disorders affect attention and concentration, so you don't form strong enough memories to start with.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE - Hypertension can cut down on blood flow to the brain.

THYROID DISEASE - Hypothyroidism slows down information processing; hyperthyroidism can cause distracting physical sensations, which make it hard to concentrate.

CONCUSSION - Even a mild blow to the head can lead t memory problems later on.

DIABETES - Fluctuations in blood sugar interfere with attention.

DRUG SIDE EFFECTS - Sleeping pills, antihistamines, and anti-anxiety medications are some culprits.

Building a better brain

With training, people have improved their mental agility after just two weeks, says Gary Small, M.D., director of the Memory Clinic at UCLA's Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. These strategies can help:

STRETCH YOUR THINKING - Crossword puzzles have long been touted as a mental strengthener. But if crosswords aren't your thing, try Sudoku, the new number puzzle (sudoku.com). Or sign up for a class in a subject new to you.

GET MOVING - Exercise increases blood flow, which helps nourish brain tissue. It also helps prevent or control other health conditions that can interfere with memory.

EAT RIGHT - Yes, fish really does seem to be brain food-as do nuts and olive oil. All these foods contain omega-3 fatty acids, which may slow down brain aging. Antioxidants-found in brightly colored fruits, vegetables, and green tea-also protect brain cells. Coffee boosts attention and alertness, which can enhance learning. But stop after a cup or two: Too much has the opposite effect.

CREATE CONNECTIONS - When you need to remember something specific, such as where you parked the car, make associations. The more vivid, the better: If you left the car at level 3, section C in the parking garage, imagine a billboard of flashing "3C" in neon lights.

MANAGE STRESS - Try whatever works for you-yoga, gardening, walking. Not only does tension distract you, making it hard to learn and remember things, but it also takes a direct toll on the brain. "In studies, humans injected with stress hormones, can't learn or remember," says Dr. Small.