PRO Bodybuilding Website Listing

Looking For Your Favorite Bodybuilders?

Here you can find the web site of your favorite bodybuilder or fitness athlete. There you can find more information and contact them!

Go to the bottom of the link of Sean's Recommemdation For Successful Bodybuilding Success, " Network Of World Professional Bodybuilders Websites" and you find websites of top professional male and female bodybuilders like Ronnie Coleman, Jay Culter, Shawn Ray, Kevin Levrone, Cory Everson, Lenda Murray and other bodybuilder stars!

Look for your favorite Bodybuilders now!

Sean Toh
Credit Plus Health

China Property Investment - Where there's Noise, there's Money!

Information For Those Interested To Invest Real Estate In China

Experienced overseas property buyers all know the positive benefits a new airport can have on a region. Some analysts state that property prices can rise by as much as 25% when a location becomes more accessible. Imagine as an investor how you would feel buying property in an emerging market that has poor communications. The news of the construction or expansion of the airports would have you jumping for joy. That is exactly what is taking place in China today.

China is about to make property investors very happy people. According to the China Aviation Administration China (CAAC) Chinese airports handled 240 million passengers in 2004. This is a rise of 38.8% from the previous year. The CAAC estimate that by 2010 Chinas airports will handle 500 million passengers. China airports are set to handle this rise in capacity with a series of expansion projects already underway. Beijing Capital International Airport is expanding with a third passenger terminal. The brand new terminal will be finished before the 2008 Olympics and will be able to handle 60 million passengers. Baiyun International Airport has already received the Chinese expansion treatment. Shanghai's Pudong airport is receiving a second terminal with more planned in the future. The Xianyang International Airport in Shaanxi has ambitious plans for a new runway and terminal.

China investment property

Those who are considering investment in the region must surely view these infrastructure improvements in a positive light. The Chinese real estate industry is about to boom. Foreign investors are encouraged to invest in China and are protected by law. The costs associated with buying property in China are low at only 4.5%, much lower than many European countries. Personal assets and properties are recognised and protected by new Chinese law.
So where's there is noise there is money!

By Credit Plus Health

Ladies: Guys Like This Hairstyle Best

How To Get Your Guys To Like You?

It took a bunch of serious researchers from Florida State University to figure this out, so listen up. When it comes to women's hair, men like this the best: long, thick, and brown.

Why? It's biological. Men are programmed to find a fertile mate, and lead researcher Dr. Kelley Kline thinks long, thick hair is a signal that a woman is strong, young, and healthy. This is the first research to look solely at hair length--and no other facial features--to measure female sex appeal.

The study: Fifty men and 76 women whose average age was 27 rated the attractiveness of women who were depicted in six different photographs. Three of the photos were of the same young, Caucasian woman who had the same facial expression, but her hair was altered by computer to short, medium, and long lengths. Short was really short--cut close to the head and above the ears. Medium length was just a bit below the ears. Long was at least eight inches below the shoulders.

The results: Both men and women found the long hair to be "overwhelmingly" more attractive than the short or medium-length hair. When women were asked to rate the length of men's hair, the vast majority preferred short or very short haircuts. Kline says men with long hair may be perceived by women as being less virile.

There was one other interesting finding: Men preferred brunettes over blondes. "At least in our study, gentlemen do not prefer blondes. They prefer brunettes," Kline told Reuters. "Its kind of an interesting finding, considering that in our society we concentrate on the blonde. It's so pervasive.

"The study findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Society in Atlanta, Ga.

By Health Fitness InfoCentre

Hedge Fund 101 - Make Money With Hedge Funds

Include Hedge Fund In Your Investment Portfolio

Investors are always looking for the best investments that will yield the most profit. Any investor who can afford the extra cost should consider investing in Hedge Funds. Hedge Funds were started in 1949 by Alfred Winslow Jones, who pioneered non-traditional investment strategies. Jones innovated this new investment strategy by selling short stocks, while buying other stocks (long stocks).

Hedge Funds are very similar to Mutual Funds, except that there are fewer regulations on Hedge Funds. As a result, Hedge Funds usually require a much larger investment.

What Are Hedge Funds?

Hedge Funds can help investors make more money with higher-risk investments. Other techniques used in Hedge Funds include “leverage,” which is borrowed money to trade in addition to the capital provided one’s investors. The usage of Hedge Funds also requires an incentive fee. An incentive fee is a fee based on a portion of the client’s profits as opposed to a fixed percentage of assets. This fee is then invested and ideally will gain the investor more money.

Generally, companies are the owners of Hedge Funds because most people do not have enough money to meet the minimum investment required to have a Hedge Fund. In 2004, Hedge Fund investments passed the $1 trillion dollar mark. In mid-2004 about 39 companies shared the total Hedge Fund values of 1.1 trillion dollars.

Common Techniques for Investing

There are also other techniques for investing with Hedge Funds. One way is to invest in a company just before a major merger. If one gains knowledge of a merger, and buys large amounts of share in a company that is about to merge, the shares go up greatly once the merger occurs. This is, unfortunately, a very high-risk investment strategy because some mergers may not occur.

Other techniques include selling short, which is where one invests in seemingly undervalued securities, trading commodity and FX contracts, and taking advantage of the separation between the current market price and the highest purchase price in events such as mergers.

Why are Hedge Funds Beneficial?

Hedge Funds are also beneficial because of their high level of security. Hedge Funds are private, between individuals, and do not have to be made known to the government or other companies. Currently, Hedge Funds do not need to be registered with the SEC. Hedge Funds are also based in places with less regulations (I.E. The Cayman Islands, The Virgin Islands, etc). However, one drawback of Hedge Fund security is the fact that it looks suspicious to have secretive investments. For this reason, many companies and investors are criticized for being involved with Hedge Funds.

Conclusion

Hedge Funds are a very risky investment, with a large payoff. In order to invest in Hedge Funds, one must be prepared to make a very large investment. Hedge Funds are similar to Mutual Funds, except there are less regulations on Hedge Funds. Less regulations lead many people to be suspicious of investors who invest in Hedge Funds. However, if one is willing to take the risk, Hedge Funds can certainly pay off!

By Credit Plus Health

How To: Whiten Your Teeth

"Say cheese. Now, smile just a bit more... that's it... click ."

You'd probably be able to smile much more if you weren't so insecure about your teeth, which are beginning to look more like eggs yolks than whites.

With these tips on how to make your not-so-pearly whites, whiter, and how to ensure they don't turn yellow to begin with, you'll be smiling bright in no time.

say ahhh...Before trying any kind of tooth whitening procedure, it's strongly suggested that you visit your dentist for a consultation.

Your dentist can recommend what is referred to as a chair-side treatment, which is an expensive but effective way to have your teeth professionally bleached. This "power bleach" requires one sitting at the dentist's office and lasts from 30 to 120 minutes (depending on the technique), and comes with a hefty price tag (from $390 - $1,200 USD), but assures that you leave the dentist with white teeth, once and for all.

This is the safest method, but may cause your teeth to be more sensitive after the treatment.
over-the-counterThere are at-home bleaching kits that are available over-the-counter, but the American Dental Association (ADA) does not recommend these. Although they are less expensive than the chair-side treatment, they are not as effective and must be used daily for approximately 2 weeks.

While this method is less expensive, there are costs associated with its use: side-effects include irritation of the gums, due to the gel, and whitening of the gums.

custom-made kit

If you don't want to spend the price of professional bleaching, you can still use the method at home, but rather than an over-the-counter kit, you can have your dentist prepare a custom-made tray for your mouth and provide you with the tooth whitener.

This is as safe as the first option, but while it is less expensive (at $300 - $500 USD), it takes longer. At the end of the treatment, you are required to visit the dentist again for a follow-up appointment.

porcelain veneers

Another option altogether is having your dentist custom-make porcelain laminate veneers to cover your teeth. These will be permanently bonded to your teeth, and enable you to eat the same foods as before (except for excessive sugar, of course). This option is expensive ($700 - $1200 USD per tooth!), and requires several visits to the dentist (might not be too bad if the assistant is cute).

Now you're probably guessing that tooth-whitening pastes can bleach your teeth... well, they don't exactly bleach your teeth, they only prevent your teeth from becoming more stained.
the pastiesWhile every whitening toothpaste on the market drills us with commercials on how sparkling our teeth become with these products, they do not actually whiten teeth -- they only prevent teeth from becoming yellow, especially when faced with uncontrollable factors such as aging.

This is an inexpensive and effective way to prevent your teeth from needing other tooth whitening methods in the first place.

Thanks to the baking soda found in whitening toothpastes, this is an effective prevention method, which brings us to another one altogether.

bake that soda

This may not be the most effective method, but rumor has it that brushing with a mixture of baking soda and water, in addition to brushing with regular minty toothpaste, can help prevent teeth from becoming stained.

coke is it

While you may need your daily fix of cola, coffee, tea, and a cigarette in the morning, these products tarnish your teeth horrendously. Red wine may be great at the end of the day (along with coffee, cola and a cigarette), but it also stains your teeth.

you are what you eat

Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet has many advantages in the way of keeping your body in good shape and strong -- and this includes your teeth. Refrain from eating too much candy, chocolate and other sugar-based products, as these cause tooth decay.

antibiotics

Some forms of antibiotics can cause your teeth to become yellow; since you can't avoid taking these if they are prescribed to you, consult your dentist if staining does occur.

Taking care of your teeth is essential in your fight to keep them white, especially against aging and uncontrollable dental problems. Floss daily, and brush your teeth at least twice a day. This will remove the plaque from building up and will keep your smile healthy.

see your dentist

And finally, make sure to visit your dentist twice a year, to get your full cleaning, cavity-check, and whatever professional dental care you may need.

It's very important to visit your dentist before taking any actual tooth whitening measures yourself.

A final note: As frustrating as it may be to have stained, yellowish teeth, never try to scrape the stains off yourself.

With these helpful tooth-whitening tips, you'll be smiling all the way to... well, everywhere.

By Health Fitness InfoCentre

Does Masturbation Protect Men’s Health?

Question

What’s your take on masturbation?-- Richard

Answer

Masturbation is a normal sexual behavior that just about everybody engages in - 95 percent of males and 89 percent of females, according to current statistics. For many people, however, it remains a taboo subject and a practice that is still regarded as perverse or immoral. As recently as the late 19th century, medical doctors condemned masturbation as destructive to mental health, even recommending amputation of the penis as a way to cure the habit in compulsive males.

Now it appears that masturbation is not only normal, it may be healthy and protective, especially for young men. A team of scientists in Australia found that men who ejaculate more frequently between the ages of 20 and 50 are less likely to develop prostate cancer. The protective effect seems greatest for those in their 20s. Results from the study, published in the August 2003 issue of BJU International showed that men who ejaculated more than five times per week were one-third less likely to develop aggressive prostate cancer in their later years. The result contradicts an older belief that high frequency of sexual activity increases the incidence of prostate cancer. The key difference is that earlier research defined sexual activity as sexual intercourse alone rather than focusing on the number of ejaculations.

The Australian team speculated that potential infections associated with intercourse might raise the risk of prostate cancer, whereas masturbation allows the prostate, together with the seminal vesicles, to discharge secretions and prevent the buildup of any carcinogens that may be concentrated in them. (Canine studies have demonstrated that certain cancer-causing compounds found in cigarette smoke do concentrate in prostatic fluid.)

In my view, masturbation can be a normal expression of sexuality in both men and women. When done compulsively or addictively it can be irritating or exhausting, but in moderation it is medically harmless and may even be healthy. If the Australian findings are confirmed, they should become part of the advice doctors give men for protecting their reproductive systems.

By Andrew Weil, M.D.
Credit Plus Health

Model Of The Week - Anna Kournikova

One of The Most Searched People In The World

Why We Like Her?

Why do we like her? More like why do we love her? This Russian tennis player is only a backhand away from making us drool when seeing her do virtually anything.

Why Is She Famous?

Aside from single-handedly making women's tennis popular again, Anna Kournikova is one of the most searched people on the Internet, thanks to her amazing looks. She proves that you don't need to be a star tennis player to be one of the most highly-endorsed athletes, nor do you need killer tennis skills to have a deadly Internet virus named after you.

Overall Rating At AskMen.com - 87

Anna Kournikova isn't just a tennis player or a pretty blonde. Anna is an icon; a symbol of modern society's values; a tool used to draw otherwise indifferent men (and women too, surprisingly enough) to women's tennis -- the "lite" version of the testosterone-driven men's tennis tour.

Anna's Quote

"I'm like a menu at an expensive restaurant, you can look at me, but you can't afford me."-Anna Kournikova

Bio Data Of Anna

Anna Kournikova (née Anya Kournikova) was born on June 7, 1981, in Moscow, Russia, to Sergei and Alla. Her father, a lecturer at the sports university in Moscow and a part-time tennis coach, and mother, did not encourage Anna to play tennis for the fame, but rather for the health benefits of the sport.

By Credit Plus Health

8 Penny Stocks to Avoid

What You Should Know About Penny Stock

There are many good penny stock investments available, which could turn a small amount of capital into a small fortune very quickly. However, to discover these you need to know what to look for and what to avoid. When searching for that one big payoff, steer clear of the following examples.

The Phone Salesman - Anyone who is attempting to sell you investments over the phone should be considered an enemy. They have high-pressure sales tactics, and effective, believable arguments. However, they are not doing you any favors, no matter how good they make an investment sound.They are operating in their best interest to dump over-the-counter stock on you, and the money you pay in will go into their own pockets, or the pockets of their company.There has never been a need for good companies that are going places to resort to these type of tactics, but there has always been a need for poor, sinking, or shady companies to do so. If you choose to ignore this advice you deserve what happens to your investment.You may also run into difficulty trying to find a buyer for your shares once you decide it is time to sell.

Very Low Volume Stocks - Without much trading activity it becomes increasingly difficult to buy or sell for the prices you want. As well, it becomes nearly impossible to get an understanding of where the stock price is heading, or to calculate fair valuations for the company’s stock price.Not only that, but companies subject to low trading volume generally do not have a lot of positive interest.

The Hot Tip Stock - There are actually professional promoters who make a very good living generating and nurturing rumors about some penny stock that’s guaranteed to go through the roof. The entire concept hinges on the rumor being spread from person to person, at the office, over the phone, or at social venues.The promotional ploys can be very costly for investors who get involved without special knowledge about the company or the actions of the promoter. In most cases if a stock really is going through the roof you won’t hear a word about it, because a select few individuals will be very intent on keeping the information to themselves.

Guaranteed Performance - If a stock is guaranteed to go up, it will almost always go down. Nothing is ever certain, especially on the stock market. When someone guarantees certain performance out of a stock, they may be a promoter, naive investor, self-serving broker, or have heard the guarantee from another source. In any case, don't believe them. Instead check into the company yourself and if you feel it is a good investment, you may want to proceed.

Sinking Ships - When a stock has dropped a lot you may think that, "it can’t go any lower," or that it is "a good bargain." Especially with penny stocks, you need to avoid this type of thinking because many sinking ships don’t ever rebound, and they can go lower, and they aren’t good bargains just because they cost less than before.

Commission Free - If you are interested in getting stock commission free you may think you are saving money, but it generally means that you are buying over the counter stock directly from a promoter or the company.Either way, they take their own invisible ‘commission’ from you, either by selling to you for an arbitrary amount which is unfairly high, or selling to you for the asking price rather than the bid price based on their own current valuations.

International Penny Stock - We’re not talking about living in the U.S. and steering clear of Canadian stock, or vice versa. We are talking about penny stock issues from Africa, Australia, European, Russian, or South American penny stock markets. First of all, you won’t be too impressed with the level of investor protection and exchange honesty in some of these regions, and you most certainly won’t be too impressed with the broker fees you incur when trying to purchase internationally.Besides, if you can’t find good penny stock investments in North America, you won’t be able to find them anywhere else either.

Warrants and Rights - These are not technically stocks, but instead are derivative investments based on an underlying company's shares. However, they often appear like penny stocks because they sometimes get listed in the stock pages, and often trade for pennies.It is unlikely that you will accidentally purchase derivatives, but make sure you know what you are trying to buy by understanding the listing criteria of the paper you are reading, or verifying your purchase with your broker.

By Credit Plus Health

New Car Financing

What You Need To Know When Getting That New Car?

Most people go shopping for a new car and then consider their financing options. While this is the standard method it may not be your best option. Just like shopping for your new car, you need to carefully research your financing options and be prepared for it. Being prepared will ensure that you get the best possible solution and rates, thus saving you possibly thousands of dollars in interest over the term of your loan.

When it comes to financing, tiny differences can mean a lot to how much you pay. Consider a $20,000 loan for 5 years at 11% and 9% interest rates. At 11% your monthly payment will be $434.85 and you will pay a total of $5,879.70 in interest. However, at 9% your monthly payment will be $415.17 and you only pay $4,740.98 in interest. Over the term of your loan you will save more than a $1,000 by getting a 2% break in your interest rate. For this reason it makes sense for you to research your financing options before finding a vehicle you wish to purchase.

The first step to researching your financing options is to examine your credit file and score. One in four credit reports contains information that is wrong and could result in you paying a higher interest rate than you should or perhaps even being denied your loan. Another important aspect of your credit file is your FICO score. This score will determine the interest rate the lenders will give you. It is important to know what interest rate is fair for you to be paying for two reasons. First it will allow you to know when you are getting a good deal thus making the negotiating process easier for you. Second, it will help you to make sure the lenders are being fair and honest. It is not uncommon for lenders to misrepresent your actual credit score or to add a few percent to your loan in order to increase their profits.

Just as different cars have different features, different lending companies have different options too. Banks generally offer the best rates and terms for loans but sometimes third party lenders can be a better choice. You may find more favorite interest rates from an online lender who has less over head than a storefront business. You may be able to get other financial products from a third party lender at the same time that are of value to you.

The process of shopping for a new car should be your model for how to shop for a financing solution. Take the time to consider your situation and the services that various lenders will provide before you settle on a vehicle. You may even find it prudent to have secured your loan before your even go out to look at vehicles.

By Credit Plus Health

Choose Healthy Foods to Fit your Lifestyle

A Healthy Lifestyle

There are several diets that all lead to successful weight loss if you follow them exactly as they are designed. That doesn't mean every food that fits into a diet is healthy, and it does mean you have to change your eating patterns to fit the diet's rules. We feel like failures because we lose weight and then return to our old eating patterns. The weight we worked so hard to lose comes back and we return to a diet. We lose the weight once more, and go up and down and up and down. We become slaves to the diets.

Rather than worry about the mirror and the scale, let's think about our lifestyle and our health. Being healthy doesn't mean you have to be a size 4 or a size 2. It means feeling good physically and emotionally. It means having energy and enjoying every day. It isn't difficult to lead a healthy lifestyle, feel great, and still have room for the occasional treat. Let me show you how.
Good Foods To EatThe closer a food is to its natural state, the better it is for you. Fresh fruits and berries are great and will satisfy a craving for sweets. Whole vegetables have lots of vitamins and minerals, so choose more green, orange and yellow vegetables. Steam them to retain the most nutritional value and be careful with sauces, they may be high in calories and fats that aren't good for you.

Any pasta or baked goods should be made from whole grains. Avoid white breads and noodles because they are made from flour that has had much of the nutritional content removed and the high starch content in white bread will affect your blood sugar as quickly as regular sugar. Avoid sugary snacks and pastries as well. An apple is good for you, an apple pie really isn't.

Shop for lean meats and don't forget the fish. The omega 3 oils in ocean fish are often deficient in our diets, so serve seafood 2 or 3 times per week. Baked fish and chicken are healthier than fried, and lean meats like bison or venison are healthier than higher fat beef. Processed lunch meats, hot dogs, bacon, and sausages have a lot of junk in them you don't want in your body, but if you love these meats, find healthier versions sold at health food stores.

Remember to eat a variety of foods because some people become sensitive to foods they eat frequently. Try different grains, such as spelt, as a substitute for wheat and try rice milk or almond milk in place of cow's milk. Eat new foods you think you may not like...it can be a lot of fun.

Stick to water as your main beverage, and avoid sodas (both sugary and diet). If you get tired of plain water, add a slice of lemon or lime to add a touch of flavor. For kids, try some fruit juice jazzed up with carbonated water. Some herbal and green teas may add great benefits to your health, but avoid too much caffeine.

Assess Your Lifestyle

Once you learn which foods are good for you, you need to look at your eating habits. If the foods you eat are not healthy, you might want to work within your habits and current lifestyle conditions, since they are usually tough to change. Consider these questions, then read on for tips to help you add healthy foods:

Do you eat because you are bored, sad, or happy?
Do you snack in front of the TV without even giving it much thought?
Are most of your meals eaten at home or in restaurants?
How often do you eat fast food?
Do you like to cook?
How often do you grocery shop?
Do you skip breakfast or lunch, then overeat later in the day?
How big are the portions you consume?
Do you crave sweets?
Are there foods you won't give up?

Solutions For Snackers

If you are an emotional eater, keep the junk food like potato chips, tortilla chips, ice cream, and candy out of the house. Keep healthy snacks like fruits, crunchy vegetables with dips, or nuts handy. If you absolutely feel the need for a treat, then purchase a small piece of high quality chocolate or your favorite treat and enjoy it, just don't buy any to bring home.

The same tips are helpful for those who enjoy TV snacking at home. If you don't want to give up nibbling while while watching your shows, keep low calorie foods close by, because it is very easy to eat too much when you are entranced by your favorite drama, football game, or cooking show.

Tips For Eating Out

It is difficult to maintain good health if you eat out a lot. Those salads might not be as appealing as a greasy cheeseburger and fries. Restaurants frequently serve huge portions of food too, much more than you need. If you can't hold your resolve to stick to the salads, compromise; pick out an appetizer that you love, combine it with a salad or a cup of soup, and skip the larger entrees. You can also share a meal or take half of it home. Dying for desert? Order as small a size as possible, or maybe just one scoop of ice cream, rather than a larger, heavier desert. Try a dish of mixed berries topped with nuts and a small bit of whipped cream. Be careful with the after-dinner drinks as well. Maybe just one glass of wine with your meal. If you eat a lot of fast food, you have found out how difficult it is to feel good and stayhealthy.Some places have added salads and some better choices, but it really isn't a good way to eat. Keep fast food dining to a minimum, don't go with the super sizes, and choose places that offer more fresh ingredients.

Eating At Home

If you hate to cook, all that fresh produce you bought may just rot in your refrigerator. Depending on your budget, you might prefer to purchase prepared foods from markets that specialize in healthy, whole foods, or even hire a personal chef to prepare meals that only need to be heated and served. If you have a tighter budget, perhaps you can set aside some time on weekends to prepare meals and freeze them to be reheated later that week.

It is important to be prepared if you are going to eat good foods at home and not run out for fast food after work. Unfortunately grocery shopping can be very tedious. Set aside enough time to do your shopping for a few days' worth of healthy food and ingredients. Make a list and stick to it. Don't go shopping when you are hungry, and once you are at the store, stay away from the junk and the processed food aisles. Buy lots of fresh produce and choose lean meats and fish. Stay away from processed meats, fake cheese products and avoid the snack aisle. Better yet, shop for organic products whenever possible. If you have no choice but to shop infrequently, choose frozen fruits and vegetables over canned, as they retain more of their nutrients.

Don't Skip Meals

If you skip breakfast, you may find that you lose energy by midmorning. Rather than skipping breakfast completely, split it in half. Eat a small breakfast early, such as an egg, small serving of oatmeal, or some yogurt. Have a small snack on hand such as raisins and 10 or 12 almonds to eat at midmorning. This split breakfast is a much better solution than reaching for coffee or candy bars to perk yourself up.

Control Portion Size

Our stomachs really aren't that large. Without stretching, the stomach will hold about 2 cups of food, but because the stomach will stretch, it can hold considerably more food than we need at any given meal.

When you eat at home, serve your meals already dished up on individual plates rather than family style at the table. You will be less likely to reach for "seconds" that way. At restaurants, ask for "take home" containers and take half of your meal home. Avoid buffets, unless you are very disciplined. It is way too tempting to load up 3 or 4 plates plus dessert!

Tame Your Sweet Tooth

Curb your cravings for sweets with fruits and stay away from sugary snacks and pastries. These treats have lots of calories, are loaded with unhealthy fats, plus some people seem to become addicted to these high carb foods. If the fruits and berries aren't sweet enough for you, add just a bit of Splenda, or stevia, but try to wean yourself off of these products. Your taste buds can learn to love fresh fruit without the added sweeteners. Avoid sodas and try iced herbal teas, or ice water with lemon or lime. If you miss the carbonation, add some fruit juice to carbonated water, as I mentioned earlier.

Things You Won't Give Up

Do you feel like you can't live without your chocolate, or your mornings just can't begin without a cup of coffee? If there are foods you won't give up, enjoy them in smaller amounts. Buy one tiny high quality piece of candy and enjoy it, but don't buy a bag full of snacks to take with you. Love your coffee? Stick with just one regular sized cup, instead of a giant 20 ounce cup. You can also switch to decaffeinated coffee, or at drink a blend of half regular coffee and half decaffeinated coffee. Limit other treats or favorite foods that aren't healthy, try to limit them to one time per week, or search for healthier versions at natural foods markets.

Rome Wasn't Built In A Day

If you can't transform your unhealthy diet over night, don't despair. Most people can't. Start implementing some of these ideas, even just one at a time. Every change you make will be one step in the right direction.

Keeping It Simple

Poor Eating
Battered and deep fried foods.
Sugary treats.
Processed meats.
Greasy snack foods.
White bread and refined pasta.

Good Eating

Green and brightly colored vegetables.
Fresh fruits.
Lean meats and fish.
Nuts, raisins, and healthy snacks.
Whole grain breads and pasta.
Cook with healthy oils like canola and olive oils.

Great Eating

Raw or lightly steamed vegetables with no heavy sauces.
Organic fruits and vegetables.
Organic, grass fed beef, bison, and poultry.
Cold water oily ocean fish.
Variety of foods including fruits, vegetables and different types of whole grains.
Add even more healthy oils like walnut or flax seed oils.
Get more of your proteins from plant sources like nuts, seeds, and legumes.

By Health Fitness InfoCentre

Life Insurance – Money Saving Top Tips

Save Some Money From Your Life Insurance

More and more people are buying life insurance online and the numbers seem to be doubling every two years. The reasons are clear. Prices are lower on the Internet and life insurance is fundamentally a simple insurance product.

Despite the underlying simplicity of life insurance, most web sites channel their online clients through a telephone based help and advice service manned by experienced personnel. They represent your safety net so if a little technical knowledge is called for, help is at hand.

But it’s always a good idea to have a few Top Tips in your back pocket when you’re shopping online for life insurance. They’ll help you ask the right questions and find the best policy.

1. Always have your Life Insurance policy “Written in Trust”.

This means that in the event of a claim, the money goes directly and immediately to the person(s) you nominate when you first take the policy out. It also avoids all possibility of your estate having to pay Inheritance Tax on the proceeds of your policy and that could represent a 40% tax saving !

All you have to do is tell the online brokerage organising your policy that you want your policy “Written in Trust” and the names of the people who the life insurance company pay in the event of a claim. They will then sort it all out for you. The extra good news is that this service is invariably free of charge. So it’s a win win situation and there aren’t many of those around these days !

2. In the early years a Reviewable Life Insurance Policy will be cheaper but a Guaranteed Policy will work out a better buy in the longer term.

With a “Guaranteed Policy” the insurance company guarantees never to increase your policy’s premium.

With a “Reviewable Policy” you agree that your insurance company can review the cost of your policy at regular intervals. But don’t be kidded – in our experience a “review” is just another word for a price increase. After all, who’s ever heard of an insurance company passing up a chance to charge you more! The review intervals are usually between 2 to 5 years but this does vary between insurance companies. You will find the details of the review intervals on the documents sent to you before you accept the insurance – these are called The Key Features Documents.

So, comparing otherwise like for like policies, in the early years the premiums for a “Reviewable Policy” will undoubtedly be lower than the premiums for a “Guaranteed Policy”. Thereafter, the premiums for a Reviewable Policy increase eventually catching up with and overtaking, the premium for a “Guaranteed Policy”.

In our experience, you can expect the monthly premiums for a Reviewable Policy to exceed those of a Guaranteed policy in about 7 to 10 years and then within the following 10 years, more than double again. If your budget is currently tight then by all means choose a Reviewable Policy - after all your salary may increase in coming years and ease the strain. On the other hand, if the premiums for a Guaranteed Policy are affordable, we think they represent your best buy.

A footnote. Many insurance companies have stopped offering “Guaranteed” rates for standalone critical illness insurance policies. This because they have experienced much higher claim rates than they initially expected. However, you may still find a Guaranteed life insurance policy that also provides critical illness cover. As we have explained, “Guaranteed” rates are especially good value and if you can get a quote for a Guaranteed life policy that includes critical illness cover, you may have a real bargain.

3. Thinking about a Joint Life Insurance Policy?

A Joint Life Insurance policy is usually written on a first death basis. This means that the policy will pay out on the death of the first policyholder, subject to the policy being in force at the time. This leaves the second person uninsured and older. Older people can struggle to get life insurance at an affordable premium, so rather than a Joint Policy consider taking out separate policies now. Overall it will work out a little dearer - but you get twice the cover and double the peace of mind.

4. Taking out a Life Insurance Policy? Now would be an ideal time to include Critical Illness cover.

Are you likely to need Critical Illness Insurance in the future? Yes? Then consider adding it now to the life insurance policy you’re arranging. Why? There are three reasons.

Firstly, a Life Insurance policy combined with Critical Illness cover will work out significantly cheaper than buying two separate policies. Secondly, as we have already explained in the footnote to Tip 2, you may be able to buy a combined Life and Critical Illness policy with a guaranteed premium. That could be a real bargain. Finally, premiums for critical illness cover increase rapidly as you get older – so the sooner you take it out, the cheaper it will be.

5. Don’t confuse Terminal Illness cover with Critical Illness cover.

There’s world of difference between Terminal Illness and Critical Illness cover so it’s important to understand the difference.

Terminal Illness cover pays out the insured lump sum if a Medical Doctor diagnoses you with an illness from which the Doctor expects you to die within 12 months. Most good life policies automatically include Terminal Illness cover at no extra cost. It’s basically an early, and welcome policy payout.

A Critical Illness policy pays out the insured lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a wide range chronic illness and there is no life expectancy criteria. Indeed, with many of the insured illnesses you could expect to survive for many years. For example: certain cancers, heart disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, loss of speech, sight or hearing, onset of Parkinsons or Alzheimers disease, third degree burns etc. Say you were an engineer aged 40 and you lost your sight. A Critical Illness policy would pay out immediately and that money could well be vital in helping you and your family through many difficult financial years ahead. If you just had Terminal Illness cover there’d be no chance of a payout.

So as you can see, Critical Illness cover is far more comprehensive than simple Terminal Illness cover and for that reason critical illness cover always costs you extra.

By Credit Plus Health

Getting Educated At Condomania Asia - Negotiating Safer Sex

You musn't force sex to do the work of love, or love to do the work of sex.- Mary McCarthy

Communicating with your partner is the best way to insure that you both have a pleasureable sexual experience and that you protect yourselves from exposure to sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy. But communication is often more difficult than it sounds. Let's face it: talking about sex can be awkward and embarrasing. But these days not talking about sex can be dangerous. It is important to remember that your health and safety are worth whatever feelings of fear and awkwardness a conversation might bring up.

One way to start is by introducing a safer sex conversation during a low-key moment: while on a walk, during dinner, over the phone. Try not to wait until you are between the sheets to bring up safer sex. You can start small. Mention a news story about condoms or a magazine piece on STD's. If you are involved in a on-going relationship you can tell your partner that your desire to use condoms is based on your growing awareness of safer sex, not a lack of trust in your relationship.

Begin to develop a sexual vocabulary that you are comfortable with. Some people enjoy slang or "talking dirty" while others prefer a more formal terminology. Use bedtime word games to teach each other your languages for sex. Remember that everyone has different words for what they enjoy — "doing it" for one person can mean "forplay" to another.

Say what you want very clearly so that there will be no misunderstanding. Hopefully, the person you are with will want to share that desire with you. A good, loving partner will want to know what makes you tick. In fact, sharing your desires with your partner can be an exiting, pleasurable part of any experience.

By Condomania Asia

When You Need Some Extra Cash--A Guide to Finding the Right Loan

What You Must Know When You Need Cash

Almost every day, you are involved in some type of financial transaction requiring an educated decision. And we all need extra cash from time to time. Maybe you need extra funds to purchase your "dream" home, or a more reliable vehicle. Perhaps you want to provide that "fairy book" wedding for your only daughter, or take that once-in-a lifetime paradise vacation.

Sometimes it is simply not practical to make a purchase by saving up the cash, and that's where a loan can help. Nearly everyone needs to borrow at some time in their life--to finance a house, buy a new automobile or send the kids to college. But with so many different types of loans from so many different financial institutions, how do you decide which is best for you?

When you set out to borrow money you are barraged with the jargon of the banking industry. Revolving loans, points, adjustable rates, bridge loans, beacon scores, amortization and on and on and on. It is important to understand these terms in order to get your best possible deal at the lowest interest rates that are currently available. Take some time, research the terminology and become a smart money shopper.

Not many years ago, banks were the only "boys on the block" when it came time to obtain a loan. You got dressed in your finest outfit, got a haircut, and shined your shoes in advance of your meeting with the bank manager. Today, loan providers are everywhere. Supermarkets, credit unions, television ads, daily credit card offers in the mail, finance companies, and the payday loan building on the corner. Where do you start? Obviously the first question--how much money do I need?--must be answered. If you are shopping for a home, for example, you will not be using a credit card. Here is where your neighborhood bank can help. And even Uncle Sam--if you get a Veteran's Administration (VA) or a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan.

Other types of loans available include: car loans, business loans, debt consolidation loans, home improvement loans, home equity loans, refinance loans, personal loans, payday loans, and bridging loans (used to "bridge" a short-term financial gap when cash is needed for a special project). There are nearly as many loan types available as there are reasons to borrow money. Approval for loans is based upon a number of factors, such as age, employment, income, and credit rating.

Even if you have a poor credit rating or bad credit history, you can still find a range of "bad credit" personal loans, although the interest rates are generally higher than on standard loans. Beware, however, of the "payday" loans. Sometimes called cash advance loans, check advance loans, deferred deposit check loans or post-dated check loans, however check cashers or finance companies refer to them--they are EXPENSIVE.

Usually, a borrower writes a personal check payable to the lender for the amount needed plus a fee. Let's say you need a quick $100 and write a check to the lender for $115. You receive $100 and the lender agrees not to deposit your check until your pay day arrives three days in the future. It cost you $15 to borrow $100 for three days! You don't even want to know the Annual Percentage Rate (APR)on that loan.

When you need credit, shop carefully. Compare offers and institutions. Look for loans with the lowest APR. Compare the total finance charges, which include fees, interest and of types of credit costs. By going online you can obtain a multitude of loan options including: interest rates, length of the loan and the actual total monthly payment cost.

Learn the lending terminology, understand the different types of loans that are readily available and then make a choice that is best for your unique situation. In the borrowing world, there is no "one-size-fits all" solution. Your credit history, ability to repay the loan in a timely fashion, and the purpose of the loan should all be thoroughly considered.

By Credit Plus Health

Fruit May Save Your Sight

Fruit Is Good For You

Eating fruit has been found to reduce the risk of losing your eyesight in later life. In a study published in Archives of Ophthalmology, people who ate at least three servings of fruit per day were found to have more than one-third lower risk of developing an eye condition called age-related macular degeneration.Below we look at the issue in more depth.

WHAT IS AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION?

Age-related macular degeneration is the most common cause of sight loss in people aged 60 years and older.

The macula is a small area at the centre of the retina, the area at the back of the eye that converts light into images. This area is responsible for seeing fine details, for example when reading or recognising people's faces.

Macular degeneration (also known as maculopathy) is when the cells of the macula become damaged and stop working. People with macular degeneration have blurry or distorted central vision, and sometimes see shapes and colours that are not there. Peripheral vision (vision at the outer edges of the eye) is not affected, and it does not result in complete blindness.

WHAT CAUSES AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION?

There are two types of macular degeneration.

In 90 percent of people with macular degeneration the cells of their macula slowly stop working, due to wear and tear. It usually develops slowly, affects both eyes equally and is known as "dry" macular degeneration.1v In the other 10 percent of people with macular degeneration, the disease develops when small blood vessels behind the eye bleed, causing build up of fluid and scarring. This form of the disease can progress quickly, leading to severe and rapid loss of vision. It tends to affect one eye first, although the other is often affected later. This form is known as "wet" or neovascular macular degeneration.

WHO GETS AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION?

Age-related macular degeneration is common in people aged 60 years and older.1 It accounts for almost 50 percent of people registered blind or partially sighted in the UK, and up to a third of UK people aged more than 70 have it.

People are more at risk of developing age-related macular degeneration if they smoke, have high blood pressure or have close relatives with the condition.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO TREAT AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION?

Unfortunately, there are no cures for the dry form of age-related macular degeneration currently available. However, there are lots of ways to make the best of the remaining peripheral vision.

The wet form of macular degeneration can be treated by laser if it is detected at an early stage. Laser treatment may prevent vision from getting worse, slow down the progression of the condition and sometimes bring back sight that has already been lost.

Because there are no effective treatments for late-stage age-related macular degeneration, prevention is important. For more on prevention, please see the final question and answer of this hot topic.

DOES EATING FRUIT HELP TO REDUCE THE RISK OF AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION?

Yes. People who ate three or more servings of fruit per day had 36 percent lower risk of developing the wet form of age-related macular degeneration than people who ate less than one and a half servings per day.

The results were similar for men and women.

DID FRUIT REDUCE THE RISK OF ALL TYPES OF MACULAR DEGENERATION

No. The protective effect of eating fruit was only seen for the wet form of macular degeneration.

WHICH FRUITS ARE BEST?

Oranges and bananas were associated with the greatest reduction in risk of age-related macular degeneration. Other fruits were not so good at lowering the risk.

DO VEGETABLES HELP TO REDUCE THE RISK OF AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION?

No. The researchers found that eating vegetables did not seem to have a effect on lowering age-related macular degeneration.

WHAT ELSE DID THE STUDY LOOK AT?

The study also looked at dietary intake of antioxidant vitamins and carotenes (yellow or orange substances that are converted into vitamin A). A previous study showed high doses of antioxidants vitamins C and E, beta carotene and zinc delayed the progression of age-related macular degeneration.

However, this study failed to show that antioxidant vitamins and carotenes had a protective effect.

WHY DOES FRUIT REDUCE THE RISK OF AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION?

Although it is not known for certain how fruit helps to protect against age-related macular degeneration, there is a theory that may offer an explanation. It is thought that the antioxidants in fruit may help protect macular cells in the retina by mopping up free radical molecules. These free radical molecules, which are produced by the body's normal chemical reactions, are thought to attack cells and cause irreparable damage. By neutralising free radicals before they can attack macular cells, antioxidants can help to protect a person's sight. However, because the antioxidant vitamins and carotenes did not contribute to the prevention in age-related macular degeneration, it is possible that other molecules in fruit may be playing a role.

Other constituents of fruits that may be beneficial to health include potassium, folic acid, fibre, flavonoids and other chemicals. At the moment it is not known how these may help prevent age-related macular degeneration.

COULD THE REDUCED RISK BE DUE TO ANYTHING ELSE?

Often, people who eat lots of fruit also lead more healthy lifestyles than people who don't eat fruit. Another key factor is that fruit eaters tend not to smoke. It's possible that the apparent benefits of fruit were due to not smoking. However, the researchers controlled for this and found that there was still a protective benefit in eating fruit.

HOW WAS THE STUDY CONDUCTED?

The study looked at the eating habits and lifestyles of 77,562 women and 40,866 men over the age of fifty. The participants were followed for up to 18 years for the women and 12 years for the men. They did not have macular degeneration at the start of the study.

During the course of the study 316 people developed age-related macular degeneration. The researchers looked at how much fruit these people ate. This was done by using up to five questionnaires to assess their diet, including the number of servings of fruit and vegetables they ate each day.

During the course of the study 316 people developed age-related macular degeneration. The researchers looked at how much fruit these people ate. This was done by using up to five questionnaires to assess their diet, including the number of servings of fruit and vegetables they ate each day.

WHAT CAN I DO TO LOWER MY RISK OF AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION?

You can reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration by:

-- eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, including three servings of fruit (preferably including bananas and oranges)
-- not smoking
-- eating a low fat diet
-- keeping physically active
-- the Government recommends at least 30 of moderate level physical minutes five times a week
-- maintaining a healthy weight for you height

By Health Fitness InfoCentre

Flexible Payment Mortgages

With most mortgages, your payment is the same every month. But what if your paycheck isn’t so regular? Would you like to be able to vary your mortgage payment depending on your cash flow?

An option ARM -- also called a flex-ARM or pick-a-payment loan -- allows you to do just that.

How does it work?

An option ARM is an adjustable-rate mortgage with a twist. You don’t pay a set amount each month. Instead, the lender sends a monthly statement with up to four payment options. You simply choose the amount you want to pay that month and then submit your payment.
The options vary, but here’s the most common menu:

Minimum payment: This is calculated using an “initial” interest rate that can start as low as 1.25 percent. Because this payment is so low, it’s useful for months when you don’t have much cash on hand, perhaps because you are waiting for a commission or bonus check. But any unpaid interest gets deferred, or added to the principal of the loan, so your principal grows.

Interest only: You pay all the interest due, but none of the principal. This doesn’t reduce your mortgage balance, but it allows you to avoid deferring interest.

30-year amortized: This matches the monthly payment of a mortgage amortized over 30 years at your current interest rate. It includes both principal and interest.

15-year amortized: The same as above, but amortized over 15 years. This is the highest monthly payment. Choosing it allows you to reduce your principal faster than any other option.

The fine print

The biggest caveat with option ARMs is that those enticing initial rates are short-lived. The low minimum payments that make these mortgages so attractive can increase dramatically. In addition, every five years, the loan is recast -- that is, a new amortization schedule is drawn up to ensure that the remaining balance will be paid off by the end of the loan’s term. When that happens, the minimum payment can be pushed even higher.

What’s more, if you defer too much interest, you can reach what’s called negative amortization. If your balance grows to 10 percent to 25 percent (depending on state law) greater than the original principal, your loan is automatically recast and you have to start paying the fully amortized rate, which will increase your monthly payments.

Another potential downside of option ARMs is that they’re more complicated than most other mortgages. Home buyers may be seduced without fully understanding how much the minimum payments will increase over the long-term. When the monthly amounts go up, these people can experience payment shock.

By LendingTree Editorial Staff

Wedding Loans : Perfect Finance Option for a Perfect Wedding

Planning For Wedding Can Be A Nightmare For Couple?

After seeing each other for years and being tagged as ‘in love’ since eternity, you desire to bring this to a logical end. You are wrong if you think I am suggesting a divorce even before you are actually married. The end to every love is wedding -the wedding of two bodies and two souls.

Have you been planning wedding since a long time but have been hindered because of the huge cost weddings entail nowadays.

Worry not. Spend as much as you can, because wedding loans are there to pay every penny of the expenses.

Average wedding costs anywhere between $19,000 – $27,000. This may go much higher if one is planning to have a gala wedding with all the pomp and show included.

And why shan’t one. Wedding is a once in a lifetime event. People would take all efforts to make the wedding truly memorable.

But the society and the customs have changed much. Just as the parents or guardians lost their say over the choice of bride or groom, they have little to do in the planning and financing of the wedding. So it is the couple who does all the spending on the wedding.

So how do the couples bear the expenses of wedding, in spite of being new to their professions and low on the income graph?

Wedding loans are an effective tool in their hands which they use to pay the entire wedding expenses. Wedding loans can finance practically every wedding expense right from the elegant wedding dress to the exquisitely beautiful engagement ring, from the lavish reception to the impeccable church decoration.

There are a number of other expenses which seem insignificant if seen individually, but become difficult to repay when taken in totality. These can be very easily paid through wedding loans.

Besides, wedding loans can be a much cheaper option to use for the payment rather than credit cards or past savings. Using a credit card can be simple if one goes by the immediate outcomes. But when the credit card debts are due for payment you find them to be much more than what you really spent. No, the credit card company is not indulging in any king of overcharging or cheating. This is only because of the accumulation of interest. Payment through credit cards is just like drawing a loan, but at a much higher rate.

Utilizing past savings for a one day affair like a wedding would be a waste. It could have been a lot better had the past savings been used for some productive purposes.

A wedding loan allows the customer to enjoy two benefits. The first benefit of wedding loan is that the customer will not have to pay an exorbitantly high amount. Most of the lenders offer loans at reasonable rates of interest.

The second benefit is regarding the timing of payment. Even though a customer has to pay more than what he would have spent, he accepts this because he does not have to pay the whole amount at one go. Monthly payments require to be made towards the payment of loan.

A certain amount of planning is necessary when taking a wedding loan. If parents are ready to be a part of the finances then they must be included in discussions. How much can they spend on the wedding needs to be decided well in advance. This will determine the amount of wedding loan that needs to be applied for.

Secured wedding loans taken against ones home will be much cheaper. A valuation of the home or property will be done. One can draw loan depending upon the worth of his home. However there are options for those who do not have a home or who do not want to put their home under any kind of obligation.

Next comes the choice of lenders. It is no longer necessary to depend on lenders in one particular locality or region. Almost every big and small lender is available online. An internet connection is what is needed. One does not even have to leave his home or office, and loan can be applied for instantly. Such a relief from the previous times when a customer had to go to each and every lender to just get the quotes. Few customers were ready to go through this grind, and hence accepted whatever offer was given.

These loans are very easy to approve. With the valuation of property and credibility check over, it is very easy to get loans approved. Filling up each and every detail with caution and accuracy can save enough of time in the approval process.

Did you promise your wife an impeccable wedding ring? You can keep on the promise since wedding loans are there to meet the expense.

By Aditya Thakur

Aditya Thakur is a financial consultant and is currently pursuing masters in journalism from JMI University. To find a secured loan that suits your need visit http://www.ukfinanceworld.co.uk

Get Educated At Condomania Asia

The gift of love is an education in itself.- Eleanor Roosevelt

Although no condom guarantees 100% protection against failure, it is important to know that most condom failures result from improper storage or use. Here are some tips to help you get the most comfort and security out of your condom. With dozens of sizes, styles, shapes, and features to choose from the right condom for each person and situation does exist. Try different styles; find what suits you and your partner — this will only increase your protection and pleasure.

How To Care For Condoms

Store your condoms in a cool, dark place. Exposure to sunlight, heat, or humidy can break down latex, causing it to rupture or tear more easily.

Condoms are usable up to four years after the date of manufacture. Always check the date on the box. Some dates are marked MFG, which indicates the manufacturing date. These condoms are good up to four years from the MFG date. Others are marked EXP, which indicates the expiration date after which the condom should not be used. If you are unsure how old the condom is, throw it away and use a new one.

Be aware that lambskin condoms, or natural condoms are not effective in the prevention of disease. For the best protection, be sure to use only latex condoms.

How To Use Condom


Be careful when opening a condom package that you do not tear or nick the latex with your teeth, nails, or rings. Do not unroll the condom before putting it on; it can weaken the latex and make it difficult to use.



Hold the receptacle end of the condom between your thumb and forefinger against the head of the penis. If the penis is uncircumcised, pull back the foreskin first. Make sure to leave space at the tip so the semen will not leak out the side of the condom. Squeeze out any excess air to prevent the condom from bursting.



Roll the condom over the entire length of the penis.

Use plenty of water-based lubricant during intercourse. Putting a drop of lubricant inside the tip of the condom can increase both sensation and safety. Never use an oil-based product such as Crisco, lotion, Vaseline, or baby oil as it will weaken the latex and cause it to break.
After ejaculation, pull out while the penis is still hard, holding onto the base of the condom to prevent it from falling off. Roll it gently toward the tip of the penis to remove.

Do not flush condoms down the toilet because they can clog plumbing. Wrap in a tissue and throw away. Remember, condoms cannot be reused.

Try not to panic. It is important that women not douche; it can cause injury to internal tissue and push sperm further into the body. Cover the entire genital area with a contraceptive foam, which has a high concentration of spermicide and will help neutralize any infectious agent. Try to figure out why the condom broke so that you can prevent it from happening again. If you are concerned about pregnancy or exposure to sexually transmitted diseases, contact your doctor or one of the hotlines listed in this manual.

By Condomania Asia

What Is Stomach Cancer?

Stomach cancer, which is also called gastric cancer, is a cancer that starts in the stomach.

After food is chewed and swallowed, it enters the esophagus, a tube-shaped organ that carries food through the neck and chest. The esophagus joins the stomach just beneath the diaphragm (the breathing muscle under the lungs). The stomach is a sac-like organ that holds food and begins the digestive process by secreting gastric juice. The food and gastric juice are mixed and then emptied into the first part of the small intestine called the duodenum.

The word stomach is often used to refer to the area of the body between the chest and the pelvic area. For instance, some patients with diseases of the appendix, small intestine, colon (large intestine), or stomach may say they have a "stomach ache." The medical term for this area is the abdomen. And doctors would refer to this symptom as abdominal pain.

This point is important in considering gastrointestinal cancers. The stomach is only one of many organs in the abdomen in which cancers may develop. It is important not to confuse stomach cancer with cancers of the colon (large intestine), liver, pancreas, or small intestine because these cancers may have different symptoms, a different prognosis (outlook for chances of survival), and different treatments.

The stomach is divided into 5 sections. The upper portion (closest to the esophagus) of the stomach is called the cardia or proximal stomach. Next to this is the fundus. Some cells of these areas of the stomach produce acid and pepsin (a digestive enzyme), the ingredients of the gastric juice that help digest food. The lower portion (closest to the intestine) is the distal stomach. This area includes the antrum, where the food is mixed with gastric juice, and the pylorus, which acts as a valve to control emptying of the stomach contents into the small intestine. The area between the proximal and distal stomach is the body of the stomach.

The stomach has 2 curves, which form its upper and lower borders. They are called the lesser curve and greater curve, respectively. Other organs next to the stomach include the colon, liver, spleen, small intestine, and pancreas.

The stomach has 5 layers. It is important to know about these layers because as a cancer grows deeper into them, the prognosis (outlook for cure) gets worse. Starting from the inside and working out, the innermost layer is the mucosa. This is where stomach acid and digestive enzymes are made. Next is a supporting layer called the submucosa. This is surrounded by the muscularis, a layer of muscle that moves and mixes the stomach contents. The next 2 layers, the subserosa and the outermost serosa, act as wrapping layers for the stomach.

Most stomach cancers start in the mucosa. Cancers beginning in different sections may produce different symptoms and tend to have different outcomes. The location can also affect some of the treatment options that are available.

Stomach cancers are believed to develop slowly over many years. Before a true cancer develops, there are usually pre-cancerous changes that occur in the lining of the stomach. These early changes rarely produce symptoms and therefore often go undetected.

Stomach cancers can spread, or metastasize, in several different ways. They can grow through the wall of the stomach and eventually grow into nearby organs. They can also spread to the lymph system, including lymph vessels and lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are bean-sized structures located near many body structures to fight infections. The stomach has a very rich network of lymph vessels and nodes. If cancer spreads to the lymph nodes, the outlook for cure also gets worse. When the stomach cancer becomes more advanced, it will travel through the bloodstream and form deposits (called metastases) in organs such as the liver, lungs, and bones.

Approximately 90% to 95% of cancerous (malignant) tumors of the stomach are adenocarcinomas. The term stomach cancer, or gastric cancer, almost always refers to adenocarcinoma-type cancer of the stomach. This cancer develops from the epithelial cells that form the innermost lining of the stomach’s mucosa.

The following are other, less common tumors that are found in the stomach:

Lymphoma: These are cancers of the immune system tissue that are sometimes found in the wall of the stomach. They account for about 4% of stomach cancers. Prognosis and treatment depend on whether the cancer is an aggressive lymphoma or a slow-growing (indolent) lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT).

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST): These are rare tumors that appear to develop from cells in the wall of the stomach called interstitial cells of Cajal. Some are non-cancerous (benign); others are cancerous (malignant). Although these cancers can be found anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, the majority (70%) occur in the stomach.

Carcinoid tumors: These are tumors of hormone-producing cells of the stomach. Most of these do not spread to other organs. About 3% of stomach cancers are carcinoid tumors.

By Health Fitness InfoCentre

Flipping Properties For Profit

Real estate, like any other commodity, is bought and sold every day of the week. Many people become real estate agents because they know a small piece of a large pie means big bucks. Agents help facilitate a sale by finding a willing buyer for a willing seller, earning a commission of approximately four to seven percent of the sales price for making the deal happen.

It is relatively simple to get a real estate license, and it is a lucrative field for many people. However, as you may expect, there is strong competition among agents, and the ones that are successful work long, hard hours. In fact, most agents are on call weekends and nights, with their cell phones glued to their ears.

Furthermore, real estate agents are required to take continuing education classes and follow strict guidelines set forth by bureaucratic agencies. There are better ways for an "entrepreneur" to make a living!

The flipper

Investors that "flip" houses accomplish the same basic task that real estate agents accomplish. Specifically, the "flipper" investor buys real estate with the intention of immediate resale for profit. As a flipper, he buys properties at substantially less than the going or "retail" rate. He acts as both principal and middleman, buying at one price, then reselling at a higher price.
If a deal is marginal (not much profit), and he adds no value to the property, the flipper's profit is commensurate to that of a real estate agent. However, unlike an agent, the flipper may only have a few hours of his time tied up in the deal. Furthermore, the flipper's upside profit potential is much higher than an agent's commission, since an occasional bargain purchase can bring a tremendous return.

The flipper does not need a license to practice, nor is he under the oppression of a government agency. He benefits from low overhead, flexible work hours and he doesn't have to drive a Mercedes to be taken seriously (although he can certainly afford one).

Three different types of flippers

There are three different types of flipper investors, usually based upon experience:

1. The scout
2. The dealer
3. The retailer

The scout

The Scout is an information gatherer. He is the "bird dog" who finds potential deals and sells the information to other investors. Many people get started as a Scout for other investors because it does not take any cash or prior knowledge to look for distressed properties.
The Scout finds a property for sale, gathers the necessary information, and then provides this information to investors for a fee. The fee will vary depending on the price of the property and the profit potential. The Scout can expect to make five hundred to one thousand dollars each time he provides information that leads to a purchase by another investor.

The dealer

The Dealer, like the Scout, locates deals for other investors. He locates a bargain property and signs a purchase contract with the owner. He then has the option of closing on the property and selling it outright, or just selling his contract to another investor. He is providing more than just information; he is controlling the property with a binding purchase contract.
The Dealer often puts up earnest money to secure the deal, so he assumes more risk than the Scout does. Since the Dealer controls the property with a purchase contract, he has greater profit potential than the Scout does. Dealers can flip as many deals as they can find.
On a full-time basis, a Dealer can make well over $15,000 a month without ever fixing a property or dealing with a tenant. On a part-time basis, a dealer could easily make an extra $3,000 a month flipping a property or two. The dealer's lifestyle is that of a true "entrepreneur." He can work as much or as little as he likes, with no boss, no employees and the freedom to do as he pleases!

The retailer

The Retailer usually buys properties from a Dealer or with the assistance of a real estate agent or Scout. The Retailer's goal is to fix up the property so he can sell it for full retail price to an owner-occupant.

Compared to other flippers, the Retailer puts up the most money, has the most risk and stands to make the largest profit on each deal. However, it may take the Retailer months to realize his profit, unlike the Scout or Dealer who makes his money in a matter or days or weeks.

By Sean Toh
Credit Plus Health