The Government has announced that patients who wait too long on the NHS will have the right to free private care for the first time,
The new legal right will apply to all those forced to wait more than 18 weeks for treatment and cancer sufferers not seen by a specialist within a fortnight.

Ministers plan to launch a consultation on the finer details of the scheme but insist that the new laws will come into force by the start of April next year.
The Government will also consult on other potential new rights, such as the right to die at home or to access NHS dentistry

Around 400,000 people wait more than 18 weeks for treatment every year in Britain, although ministers insist that many of these delay their own treatment for a wide variety of reasons.

The new waiting times rights will be announced by Gordon Brown during his monthly press conference.
Andy Burnham, the Health Secretary, has already declared that the legal right will be a “key battleground” for the next general election.
He said: “Turning targets into legal rights will empower patients and guarantee them the same high standards of care, regardless of where they live.”

But doctors’ leaders have warned that some patients could be forced to wait longer for treatment because of the new right.
Opposition parties also accused the Government of making an “unaffordable and uncosted pledge” that had more to do with the prospect of an upcoming General Election than with improving the health service.

The NHS has seen substantial cuts in waiting times in recent years and 93.7 per cent of hospital patients are now treated within 18 weeks.
That figure is even higher for urgent cancer referrals, with 94.1 per cent being seen by a specialist within two weeks.

Some NHS organisations already outsource some patients to private health care providers but this will be the first time that patients have the right to demand the treatment.

The Government insists that it can bring in the new right under the Health Bill already going through parliament, which will also enshrine the NHS constitution in law, and will not have to bring forward any extra legislation.

Opposition politicians accused the Government of not knowing how much the move would cost.
Andrew Lansley, the Shadow Health Secretary, said: “This is the latest in a series of unaffordable and uncosted pledges that have more to do with electioneering than improving the NHS.”

Dr Mark Porter, chairman of the British Medical Association’s consultants committee, said: “Many doctors remain frustrated by examples of political targets being prioritised over the needs of individual patients.
“If one group of patients gains a legal right by virtue of how long they have waited, there is a risk that others with more serious conditions will wait longer.”
A spokesman for the Department of Health insisted that the proposals would be “largely cost-neutral”, and that increased costs would be offset by efficient use of extra capacity.

In this article we’ll just explain basic facts your need to know if you’re going to do weight lifting.

Why should I lift weights?
There are a lot of good reasons, especially if you’re a woman. Between the ages of 35 and 40, most women start losing bone mass, which can result in osteoporosis , the “brittle bone” disease. Weight training can help prevent that loss, or even reverse it. It also has more immediate benefits. Lifting weights can improve your balance and range of movement, help prevent exercise-related injuries, and help you lose weight and keep it off. After the first several months of training, you can also expect to see a 20 to 40 percent increase in your muscle strength, which translates into a lot less huffing and puffing when you carry the groceries, mow the lawn, or play sports.

What does a typical weight-training workout involve?
A good routine takes about 30 minutes, working all your muscle groups for a few minutes apiece. Begin with a 5- to 10-minute warm-up activity, such as walking, jogging, or cycling; that gets the blood pumping to both your upper and lower body. Do a few light stretches as well.

The main portion of the workout is a series of exercises called repetitions. These exercises may vary depending on your strength and lifting power, but a good workout will include all ten of your body’s major muscle groups:

•abdominals
•back
•biceps
•butt
•calves
•chest
•hamstrings
•quadriceps
•shoulders
•triceps

Should I use weight machines or free weights?
Either one is fine — or try both. Weight machines position your body specifically to work one muscle or muscle group. Machines are considered the most foolproof method for beginners, almost guaranteeing that you use the correct form, which helps prevent injuries.

Free weights are hand-held weights such as barbells and dumbbells. They allow you a greater variety of exercises and — when you learn to do them right — can give you an even better workout than machines. If you think about it, a machine keeps the weight in balance, while it’s up to you to stabilize a barbell while you’re lifting it. That means you use more muscles and get a more thorough workout. A good weight-lifting plan will usually incorporate both weight machines and free weights.

What’s the best weight-lifting technique?
It depends on your goals, but the key word for a safe and beneficial weight-training program is moderation. The most common mistake that beginners make is trying to lift too much too soon.

Beginners should start by lifting less weight for 10 to 15 repetitions, then progress to lifting more weight for 8 to 12 reps. Don’t hold the weight aloft for more than a few seconds. A good rule of thumb is to hold the weight in position for two counts, then slowly lower it for three to four counts. For most exercises, exhale when you lift, and inhale while you lower the weight. Generally, you’ll want to do three sets of repetitions for each muscle group.

When lifting, always bend from your knees. Move in slow, controlled movements; bouncing or jerking can hurt you. So can going too fast or trying to hold a weight too long. Rest in between sets, or if you’ve been working your chest muscles, do a leg exercise while your pectorals get a break. In general, you should exercise to the point of fatigue but not pain. If you notice any swelling or inflammation in your muscles or joints after lifting, ease up.

Work larger muscle groups, such as the back and chest, before moving on to smaller groups such as biceps. Smaller groups support larger ones and will fatigue earlier if they are exercised first, not giving the larger groups an effective workout. For the same reason, it’s smarter to work muscle groups first before performing any muscle-isolating exercises (do leg presses before you do specific hamstring exercises).

How often should I lift weights?
Plan to lift two or three times a week, giving your muscles at least 48 hours rest between workouts. Don’t work the same set of muscles on consecutive days; your body needs time to rebuild between weight-lifting sessions. For the most complete workout, you should run, walk, or swim on days you don’t lift.

Do I need a trainer or should I lift on my own?
If you’re new at weight training, it’s a good idea to hire a trainer for at least one or two sessions. Rates vary between $25 and $100 per hour, but the money is worth it. A one-time investment gives you access to a professionally recommended, safe, and effective lifting program.

Look for a trainer who is certified through an agency such as the American Council on Exercise or the American College of Sports Medicine. Make sure you and the trainer are compatible and that he or she has experience working with any special needs you have. If you decide not to hire a trainer, you may want to invest in a good instructional video or book that can illustrate lifting techniques for you. One good bet: Body Shaping With Free Weights: Easy Routines for Your Home Workout by Stephenie Karony and Anthony L. Ranken.

Will weight lifting make me look like a he-man?
It’s unlikely. Women can’t produce the testosterone necessary for that kind of bulk, and men have to work out for hours every day to get a body like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s. How much muscle you build, and where, is largely a matter of genetics and body type. If you have concerns about how weight training will change your body’s shape, consult a trainer about which weight-lifting exercises will best meet your goals.

Normal Blood Sugar Levels

The following guide for “normal” blood sugar levels is given in “Prescription for Nutritional Healing (4th Ed)” by certified nutrional consultant Phyllis A. Balch (a highly recommended book for your home library – see link under recommended reading).
Note: to convert mg/dL to mmol/L, just divide these figures by 18.
eg 110 mg/dL / 18 –> 6.1 mmol/L

A bad day for your cholesterol levels
In this bad day, you do not take a breakfast or a snack in the morning. Your body starves and starts harvesting fat from your body. Your lunch is heavy and your carbohydrates levels shoot up to unacceptable territory. Your body must produce insulin to bring levels down and this makes you fell tired.

There are so many types of diets out there that it can be quite confusing for people to choose one that’s right for them. Just remember that not all people are the same and while a certain type of diet can work for one person, there is a very good chance that it won’t provide the same results to another. To know the most appropriate diet plan for you, always consult a professional dietician or nutritionist.

A list of diets

The Atkins Diet, conceived by Dr. Robert Atkins, is arguably one of the more popular diets in recent years. The Atkins diet considers carbohydrates and trans fats as the culprit for most cases of obesity. The diet rejects the established food pyramid and singles out the high-intake of carbohydrates as the cause of many metabolic disorders. The Atkins diet focuses on a lean protein diet, a careful intake of carbohydrates, and vitamin supplements.

The Beverly Hills Diet is a relatively questionable diet plan which emphasizes the correct combination of foods to aid in natural weight loss. It claims that specific reactions of food chemicals, such as enzymes, aid in burning fat in the body. Central to this plan is the abstinence from protein during the initial eleven days, during which time only fruit is allowed. Carbohydrates can be taken on the eleventh day while protein can be taken on the nineteenth. This diet is not based on any medical evidence though and nutritionists claim that it deprives people of essential nutrients.

The Body for Life Diet is a fitness and weight loss program that emphasizes correct eating habits as well as exercise, aerobics and weight-lifting. Meals are broken into six small meals a day. There is good variety in the meals, so nutrient deficiency is rare. The carbohydrates are usually taken earlier in the day, in order for them to be utilized the rest of the day. Weight-loss is not as dramatic as with other diets, but the plan is more balanced. Moreover, because of the emphasis on exercise, the plan is generally considered well-balanced. It usually lasts for only twelve weeks and so is not really a long-term diet program, although it could be with proper planning.

The Bodybuilding Diet focuses on producing muscle mass. This by itself can eliminate fat over time, but the emphasis is on supplementing a body workout regimen, rather than altering one’s dietary habit. This diet focuses on the high intake of protein and complex carbohydrates.

The High Protein Diet is quite similar to the Atkins Diet, but emphasizes on eating almost double the amount of protein intake. It’s quite controversial because many experts believe it to be harmful and unbalanced. Its ability to provide immediate weight loss to those who follow it, however, makes it extremely popular.

The Mediterranean Diet is not a strict diet but more of a lifestyle change. It is influenced by the observed healthy lifestyle of those living in the Mediterranean region. The diet consists of eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, moderate intake of fish and low intake of meats and cheese. An active lifestyle is also required.

Considered the healthier alternative to the Atkins diet, the South Beach Diet discriminates against bad carbohydrates, but unlike Atkins, also warns against the consumption of saturated animal fats. The diet is made by Dr. Arthur Agatston, a cardiologist who was not satisfied with the high fat content of the Atkins diet.

The Zone Diet is a diet plan that focuses on the correct proportional intake of carbohydrates, protein and fat to induce the correct balance of hormones which affect hunger and metabolism. Experts perceive it as a well-rounded diet plan although they are doubtful if the diet works in the way that it says it does.