Medical tourism is now more popular than ever, with over 50 countries named as a hot destination and thousands of tourists flocking new places to visit and get treated. The concept is actually not a new one, since people from the ancient times used to move out of their place of origin to visit well-known healers and places in other countries. Today, you can get the advantages of getting the best medical help, plus a vacation to boot.

About the Concept

The first documented occasion of medical tourism was thousands of years ago when Greek pilgrims moved all throughout the Mediterranean towards Epidauria, a minor territory in the Saronic Gulf. The place was considered as the home of Asklepios, the god of healing. Epidauria was visited by thousands of people each year, for cases like fever, bone problems, heart ailments, skin disease and many more. It was the first travel destination of medical tourism.

Over the years, sanitariums and spa towns were also built and became the early types of medical tourism. Patients visited the spa towns during the 1700s to get mineral water that is believed to boost health and treat problems like bronchitis, gout and liver conditions.

Becoming Popular

Several factors triggered the vast popularity of medical tourism. Primarily the increasing cost of health care had people asking if there were other places where they can receive the same kind of treatment without the huge expense. The next was the very long waiting periods and several requirements before they can be treated or even diagnosed. Modern medical tourism destinations provide patients only a fraction of the cost they expect to pay at their local hospital.

They can also enjoy other state-of-the-art and quality accommodations, and get their dream vacation at the same time. Some destinations are known for treating patients like royalty, so everything will be taken care of. You will be provided with a complete schedule of activities, so you do not waste your time waiting in line or running everywhere to get the needed documents for the procedure.

More Reasons

Medical tourism continued to spread as the cost of international travel became much cheaper. The technology and care standards in several countries, especially in Asia have improved significantly in the past decade, making the institutions highly competitive against the best in the United States. Medical tourists usually come from the United States, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries, because individuals from these places usually have more money to spend when visiting third world countries.

Medical tourism is expected to grow ten times more from 2007 to 2017. In the United States alone, over 750,000 people traveled abroad to get treated in 2007. Experts calculated 1.5 million Americans traveling in 2008 to get treatment abroad. The United Kingdom currently advertises more about medical tourism compared to the United States. Canadians preferred the very fast medical waiting period in other destinations. Some procedures are even more convenient when done outside the United States or Europe.

Tags: Asia, Bone Problems, Bronchitis, Canada, Dream Vacation, Europe, Fever, First Travel, Gout, Healers, Heart Ailments, Japan, Liver Conditions, Local Hospital, Medical Help, Medical Tourism, Mediterranean, Mineral Water, Place Of Origin, Quality Accommodations, Sanitariums, Saronic Gulf, Saudi Arabia, Skin Disease, Spa Towns, Tourism Destinations, travel destination, United Kingdom, United States;, Waiting In Line, Waiting Periods —

Sushi is Ideal for Healthy Diets
Nicky Pilkington

Sushi, popular for centuries in Japan, has become immensely
popular in the Western world in recent years. You may soon find
yourself invited to enjoy sushi with friends at a sushi bar or
restaurant. Despite the common reaction of distaste at the
prospect of eating raw fish, sushi is actually a simple and
delicious food that can easily be enjoyed by adults, children,
vegetarians and even the extremely squeamish.

Although sushi’s history goes back to the 7th century, the
popular form that is served in modern sushi bars came into
popularity in 1820, Tokyo. Variations of the lengthy pickling
process that was the original variety of sushi were made so that
sushi could be enjoyed freshly made from a portable stall. This
‘fast-food’ approach has resulted in Sushi Bars gaining
popularity all over the world.

Sushi is a very healthy meal made mostly with rice, fish and
vegetables. Sushi should always be made with fresh ingredients.
Not only for the safety of the eater but for the flavors. The
delicate flavors of rice, vegetables and fish are enhanced with
healthy soya sauce, ginger and wasabi.

What are the health benefits of sushi?

The thin, toasted seaweed sheets, called Nori, used in rolled
(maki) sushi are high in Vitamin A, B-complex, Niacin and
Vitamin C. It is also good for digestion.

The rice used in making sushi, while not as healthy as brown
rice, is still low in fat and sodium free while also being a
complex carbohydrate which is needed as fuel for your body.

The various fish or meats used in sushi are excellent sources of
protein and minerals.

Whether you’re eating vegetarian sushi or it is mixed with fish,
the fresh, uncooked vegetables provide the vitamins and other
nutrients you look for in a healthy diet.

Even the condiments served with sushi have health benefits.

While soya sauce has come under attack for certain additives
that pose a potential health risk, naturally fermented soya
sauce does not have this danger. Soya, the main ingredient in
soya sauce, has been linked to lower breast cancer and fewer
menopausal symptoms in Asian cultures who use soy as a staple in
their diets. Soya is a source of high quality protein, low in
saturated fats and is cholesterol free. Soya sauce is high in
salt although low sodium versions are also available for those
who require it.

Ginger, called ‘gari’, is often served alongside sushi and helps
with digestion while also fighting bacteria. This is especially
of interest to those concerned with the bacteria found in
uncooked meat.

Wasabi, Japanese horseradish, can also kill bacteria found in
raw fish and is often provided alongside sushi servings as a
garnish or is included as in nigiri sushi.

If you are looking for a fast-food meal that is healthy or you
just enjoy the flavors and art form of sushi, you are sure to
benefit from a visit to your local sushi bar.

About the author:

Find out more about Diet
and Nutrition at healthandfinesse.com

Tags: Author, Brown Rice, Complex Carbohydrate, Delicate Flavors, delicious food;, Food Approach, food;, Health Risk, Healthy Diet, Healthy Diets, Japan, lower breast cancer, Maki Sushi, Niacin, Potential Health, Raw Fish, Rice Vegetables, Sources Of Protein, Soya Sauce, Sushi Bar, Sushi Bars, Sushi Fish, Toasted Seaweed Sheets, Tokyo, Uncooked Vegetables, Vegetarian Sushi, Vitamin A —

Secrets to Healthy Skin…At Any Age
Kazuyuki Omino (Publisher)

You still can’t beat the old fruit and vegetable diet when it comes to good health and a good complexion. Remember to feed and nourish your skin by eating the proper foods.

* Plenty of Water:Those eight glasses of water a day your mom always told you to be sure to drink are essential to maintaining your skin’s elasticity and suppleness, say experts. And don’t count coffee or sodas as part of the eight glasses because caffeine is dehydrating. The water you choose can be sparkling water, mineral or straight from the tap.

* Makeup:You need to give some thought and consideration to the type of makeup you use. And be sure to clean your tools regularly. Things such as cosmetic brushes get dirty and can carry bacteria and germs and may cause skin irritations and breaking out.

* Good Moisturizer:Keep environmental pollutants from being absorbed into the skin with a good moisturizer that also acts as a skin barrier. Check the labels for those with added Vitamin A, C and E, which help block the penetration of pollutants.

* Exercise:A good exercise program such as aerobics can activate and rejuvenate the skin and improve circulation and blood flow. Also, body sweat triggers production of sebum, which is the skin’s own natural moisturizer.

* Knock out Stress:Get serious about stress reduction. Skin conditions such as acne appear on many people who are stressed out, and chronic skin conditions then get worse. Set aside quiet time to meditate or daydream. Plus, be sure to get enough sleep.

About the Author

I’ve been online since 1995 when I was in the US (Boston). I created Japanese celebrity info site and health-related site in 2001. Those websites became popular. So Ia ppeared on the radio show and internet magazines to talk about my websites in Japan (I came back to Japan in 1996 after 6 years of staying in the US).

http://www.kazuyukiomino.com
Powered by How To Do Everything Better, Faster &Easier ™

Tags: acne;, Author, Body Sweat, Boston, Celebrity Info, celebrity info site, Chronic Skin Conditions, Cosmetic Brushes, Environmental Pollutants, Fruit And Vegetable Diet, Good Complexion, Good Health, health-related site, Healthy Skin, Internet Magazines, Japan, Japanese Celebrity, Natural Moisturizer, Quiet Time, Sebum, Skin Barrier, Skin Irritations, Sodas, Sparkling Water, Stress Reduction, Suppleness, United States;, Vitamin A —

Epicure’s seven steps for healthy living
Chaim Kimel of www.Epicurechefs.com

EPICURE’S 7-STEP PROGRAM TO HEALTH

Here at Epicure, we believe it is important for people to not only evaluate their fitness by the bathroom scale, but also to focus on increasing their health and their overall physical, emotional and mental well-being.
Epicure promotes a food plan that is similar to that of the US Health Department Recommendation (basically a Mediterranean diet), which encourages a life-style of healthy eating (fruits, vegetables and low-fat intake) in conjunction with a sustainable exercise regime.
Epicure does note that their 7-step program will help you lose weight through establishing better eating habits (resulting in less hunger and emotional eating), but unless a calorie-controlled diet is specified it may not directly correlate with a massive weight reduction.
However, with a wholesome balanced lifestyle, with Epicure cuisine you are bound to reach your optimal weight naturally, without excessive effort or food deprivation.

1. A balanced food intake

At this moment in time, there are a multitude of popular diets promoting things such as:

1. high protein with little to no carbs (Atkins); and

2. high carbohydrates but low GI (Glycemic Index, or simple sugars) (GI Index diet).

In the short term, these diets may help you lose weight, but a recent study conducted in the US and the UK found that the most weight people lost on these diets was only 5-10% of their original body weight, over a year. This is not much if you weigh 150kgs.

The major problem, however, was that most people found it difficult to sustain such unnatural eating patterns, and after 3 months, 80% of the focus group had not only reverted to their old, familiar eating habits, but also regained the weight they had initially lost.

The simple reason for the failure of such diets is that our body is not designed for the consumption of single food groups only. The healthiest people in the world and the individuals with the longest lifespan are primarily from the Mediterranean region, Japan, and rural central Asia.

So, what are the common denominators in these communities’ diets? 3 simple things:

1. a high vegetarian intake (fresh fruit and vegetables);
2. fish and meat are consumed in small quantities only, and not every day; and
3. almost no-one in these communities over-eats.

One of the biggest causes of disease and physical and emotional stress are caused by overeating. It is no surprise that many food related illness (obesity, diabetes, etc) are especially prevalent in western societies, where there is an abundance of poor-quality food available which is often consumed in excessive amounts.

2. Fresh foods

In today’s urban society time is a scarce commodity; so many people tend to shop for food only once or twice a week. Because of this, we are used to eating a large amount of processed foods, usually laden with preservatives and nutritional supplements. These additives can have a detrimental effect on our well being, and have been linked to the development of allergies and food intolerances. Therefore, Epicure understands that it is vital to only eat fresh, whole foods which are bought and prepared on the day.

3. Non/low- allergenic ingredients

Until the body’s functions are balanced through constant exposure to a healthy food regime, it is very important to avoid food stuffs that will slow down the revitalization process.

Where ever possible, Epicure watches out for those allergy promoting ingredients, without compromising on taste.

After a period of healthy eating, however, you will find that most of those allergies will naturally disappear.

4. Correct food combinations

Some foods need acidic juices to digest, and others need alkaline juices. If we eat opposite types at the same time, the acidic and alkaline juices in our stomach will cancel each other out, and the food will sit there and ferment, taking longer to digest. This means that immediately after eating we will begin to feel sluggish and bloated, and who has time to feel like that?!! (Please refer to the attached chart).

For example, good foods such as fruit are digested in the small intestine. If we eat fruit after a meal, the fruit will be held up in the stomach further slowing digestion; therefore, Epicure always ensures that such food types are eaten individually, and at the optimal hour (for digestion) during the day.

5. Hydration

Our bodies are made of 80% water. All chemical and cellular reactions, transport of nutrients, and waste removal all use water in their processes. So for optimal functioning of our system we need to drink a lot of water and eat a lot of fruit and water-rich foods.

Epicure recommends you drink at least 1-2 liters of water a day, but as this may seem like a lot for some people we have some ‘secret ingredients’ we can add to your water to make it more palatable, but which don’t add any calories or sugar.

6. Eating times and frequency

Breakfast can be a difficult meal for many people – either they are too busy to eat and so skip breakfast (not good as it slows down the metabolism), or they eat the wrong foods, leaving them tired and lethargic. Neither option is good way to start the day!

Epicure’s research indicates that the most effective breakfast is fruit (or fruit juice) in the morning, as it works as a cleanser and gives your brain the sugar intake it needs to function.

A balanced lunch is essential, but if you’re still hungry in the afternoon eat something light, and then have dinner as early as possible. Or, if you prefer, reverse your eating habits and eat your main meal at lunch time and have a lighter meal in the evening (as they do around the Mediterranean, which is another reason they are healthier). Who wants to go to bed on a full stomach? You will also wake up lighter and more energetic!

7. Exercise

One of the reasons why people in many rural communities around the world are not overweight is because their life-style forces them to do a lot of physical exercise, such as farming, lifting, walking etc.

Epicure suggests that in order to stay fit and healthy, it is important to do an hour of exercise every day, such as walking, going to the gym, swimming, yoga, etc. Exercise not only burns calories and helps you lose weight, but it also elevates your heart rate, gets your circulation going, and increases your metabolism. Thus, your body is able to cleanse itself more effectively which will further increase your energy.

Unlike cars and other machinery, the more we use our body parts the better they function, so don’t waste any time, get started on your exercise today!

About the Author

Chaim kimel is the the managing director of epicurechefs.com. chaim has studied Physiology And Biochemistry at N.S.W university. He has, over the years researched publications on fad diets, food components on health and different ethnic communities eating habits effect on their health.Currently involved in Team building and teaching cooking. visit the web site http://www.epicurechefs.com

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