The athletes foot fungus is the same fungus that causes onychomycosis, or toenail fungal infections. In reality, there is not just one fungus that can do this, though a couple of species account for most infections. A group of fungi, collectively known as dermatophytes, cause fungal infection of the hair, nails, and skin.

It's common for fungus that has invaded the toenails to spread to the skin, or for it to spread in the other direction - from the skin to the nails. Odds are, if you have athlete's foot fungus and fungal toenails, the same fungus is causing the problem in both places. And since it is affecting the skin, it is almost certainly one of the common types of foot fungus - the dermatophytes. There are some other environmental fungi that occasionally infect the nails, but they do not invade the skin.

The good thing about this is that, in many cases, you can treat both athletes foot fungus and nail fungus with the same remedy. In general, the fungus remedies don't distinguish between the different types of foot fungus, operating on the assumption that what kills one will kill them all. With some remedies you may need to make adjustments; for example, applying pure Tea tree oil may be okay for nails, but you could have a problem with skin sensitivity if you don't dilute it with a carrier oil before applying it to your skin. Similarly, if you're using hydrogen peroxide for foot fungus, spraying on the skin is probably fine, but to penetrate an infected toenail, you'll need to soak.

The easiest choices will be treatments that will work for both types of foot fungus - the athletes foot fungus and the nail infection, with one application. Penetration of the nail by the remedy is always a problem, so choose a soaking method, which will soften the nail, or an oily topical treatment, and plan to spend some time filing down the nail and removing bits that break off so that there is less thickness for the remedy to get through.

The athletes foot fungus will probably clear up much faster than the nail infection because the skin infection is superficial and the treatment easily contacts the fungus there. To get rid of both types of foot fungus, however, you will have to keep up the treatment until the nails look good as well. Nail fungal infections are notorious for the length of time they take to resolve. If your athletes foot fungus is gone and there is any sign of improvement in the nails, the treatment is working. Keep it up and you will eventually succeed.

R. Drysdale is a freelance writer with more than 25 years experience as a health care professional. She is a contributing editor to Athletes Foot Fungus, a blog dedicated to the treatment of fingernail and toenail fungus.

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1) If I become unhealthy, there is a chemical that can cure me.

Your unhealthy signs are symptoms. High cholesterols, high blood pressure, cancers, and many diseases can be reduced with a chemical, or surgical protocol. But the underlying reason behind these symptoms may or may not be removed, and the 'cure' may cause new problems of it's own. A full, healthy lifestyle will eventually reduce many symptoms.

2) I have been educated on how to eat and exercise properly by an authoritative group.

The diets endorsed by many associations rarely reduce blood pressure or cholesterol. Don't forget that these groups often share management and receive funding from pharmaceutical giants. These groups stand to gain significantly from every person for whom these diets 'fail'. While a basic, nourishing diet can exist, you may not find it in a 'health' association's handbook. Our education on exercise has been inspired by trendy science and is rarely absolutely effective.

3) A healthy lifestyle will be too hard to live by or be too expensive.

Living healthy is easy. You live with less stress, more energy, greater happiness, and greater personal power. You also save yourself from hundreds of hours in doctors offices, from weeks at a time in hospitals, from chronic addiction to expensive pharmaceuticals, and from reliance on a 'good' insurance plan to cover the cost of very expensive pharmaceuticals.

4) A person is bound to become reliant upon pharmaceuticals and surgery as they age.

Nothing could be further from the truth. As a simple rule, the longer you can maintain your own health, the longer you can live. You should learn about different surgeries and the steps you can take to avoid them, even if you have already been scheduled for one. Find out what is necessary to maintain your physiology in such a way not to become addicted to pharmaceuticals in the autumn of your years.

5) Our elderly have medicine and surgery to thank for their longevity.

True, an ill person can be continuously administered antibiotics, have their organs removed as they become ill, and be kept alive by machines for years, but this is not living and is not the goal of those who seek longevity. The longest living persons are usually not found in the Western World, home of medicine and surgery, at all. Western man's lifespan and lifestyle has improved tremendously with the availability of clean water, municipalities focused on cleanliness, and improved regulations concerning the production and distribution of our foods, but we are still not blessed with true longevity, and do not, as a rule, master a lifestyle of vigor and passion until our final days.

6) There are no simple rules to healthy living as the rules change all the time.

Fads change all the time. Prescription drugs change all the time. Exercise trends change all the time. If these 'pop' movements within health topics were satisfying the demand they are meant to satisfy, they would all still be with us. The age-old paths to proper health are not sexy; they are not easily crammed into a single video, and cannot be sold with a gizmo. But age-old tried and true systems are the truth, they will satisfy your every demand for a health care system, and will ease the fears you have over what control you have over your own body.

7) I know enough about the subject of health to figure it out on my own.

It is true that you are the master of your own destiny, but your education in health is not likely as complete as you believe. The media, health programs, health 'supplement' gurus, and even college and university programs in health tend to overstress the chemical nature of our body. Also, diseases tend to be determined by a chemical analysis of our body, and traced back to an organ, or given a diagnosis that is nothing more than a re-hashing of the symptoms.

About the Author:

Dr. Bryan Brodeur is the owner of the health web site VitalityHouse, and author of the e-book Vitalism.

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The battle against the bulge isn?t an easy one. Most people these days are trying to eat healthier but it?s tough to keep up with the onslaught of diet-related information and to stay motivated to choose nutritious foods. So here?s a tip. Listen your way to a better diet.

There are some excellent audio books available on the subject of nutrition. Try popping one of these into your car stereo or listening to them while you?re in the kitchen making dinner. It?s a great way to learn more about the impact of food on your body. It can also help you to discover new foods and recipes that you might not have been familiar with. And it?s a great way to stay accountable to a healthier diet. Just try preparing a greasy hamburger while listening to an audio book discussing the health risks of saturated fats!

A great audio book to start with is The South Beach Diet by Arthur Agatson. The South Beach Diet isn?t as extreme as some other diets so it?s a great way to transition into a healthier way of eating. You?ll still be able to eat a lot of the foods you enjoy but if you?re like many others you?ll find that the foods that you limit (e.g., refined carbs) will help you to shed pounds quickly.

Another great source of information is the audio books from Dr. Andrew Weil. Weil has written dozens of books on health and many of them are available on audio. I find his dietary recommendations very sensible and enjoy that he views food a source of pleasure (something many diet book writers surprisingly fail to consider). A few recommended Weil titles on audio are Eating Well for Optimum Health, The Healthy Kitchen (with Rosie Daley) and Taking Care of Yourself.

If you?re ready to step it up to a notch, you might want to give a listen to Tony Robbins? Living Health course. While Tony?s dietary recommendations aren?t the easiest to follow, the alkalinity theory of nutrition that he espouses might well be a breakthrough in the nutrition world. And you certainly can?t argue with Tony?s energy. The guy is a live wire!

A few other audio books that you might to pick up include Diet for a New America by John Robbins (no relation to Tony), Eat to Beat Cancer by J. Robert Hatherill and Ultraprevention by Mark Hyman and Mark Liponis (the co-directors of medicine at the Canyon Ranch spa). There are also some interesting nutrition-related podcasts out there such as Tracy Jorg?s Vegan Cooking School podcast. And don?t forget about about Eric Schlosser?s best-selling audio book Fast Food Nation. If you?re looking for some reasons to never eat fast food again you?ll find them there.

Immerse yourself in a few of these titles and see how your diet changes. Once you discover an enjoyable way to eat better don?t be surprised if you never go back to your old ways.

About The Author: Jon Bischke is the Founder of LearnOutLoud.com and is passionate about helping you improve your life. He invites you to check out the complete selection of educational and self-development audio and video material at http://www.learnoutloud.com For the HTML version of this article complete with links to the titles that were mentioned, please visit http://www.learnoutloud.com/diet01

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(But What You Need to Know if You Want to Get Fit!)

10)? No, you won?t end up looking like the latest hot young? model/singer/actress!

Let?s face it:? your body is your body.?? It?s the only one you?ve got.? Can you still look great?? Sure!? But there are some things you can?t change.? You can?t make your legs longer or your feet smaller.? You can?t grow five inches or elongate your torso.? You have what you have, so work with it!? Concentrate on making a healthy and fit you instead of wishing you looked like someone else.? You don?t have to be perfect to be attractive.? A strong, fit body as well as the self-confidence it brings can make any person attractive!

9) It?s better to be muscular and weigh more than to be flabby and weigh less.

I?ve said it so many times:? I?d much rather be 135lbs and muscular than 120lbs and flabby.? I?ve been both, and 135lbs with a lower percent of body fat was definitely better!? I was smaller, stronger and had much more energy.? So, don?t always seek that magical number on the scale, but look at your total body composition instead.

8)? You can?t get fit in a week.

Okay, well, you can, but only if you?re one week away from being in peak condition and you keep working out.? Otherwise, forget about it!? If you want to look good for that class reunion or because you?ll be in a bikini soon, then get moving way before that.? Or better yet, get moving for your own health and not for ?things? like reunions and bikinis.

7)? You need to put some effort into it.

You want to get fit?? You have to work at it.? You have to plan it, you have to schedule it, and, most importantly, you have to do it.? No excuses.? Sitting on the couch, telling yourself you should be doing something will not burn up a lot of calories.? If nothing else, get out there and start walking.? And while you?re out there walking think about a plan of action for a healthier you and get started on it today ? not tomorrow!

6)? You need to exercise.

Can you lose weight just by diet alone?? Sure, you can!? But if you want to get fit, you need to exercise those muscles, including your heart.? And that heart won?t get any exercise if you?re sitting on the couch, eating broccoli.? Lose the weight that you need to lose and you?ll just end up with a thin, but flabby, body.? Get moving!? Weight training is ideal, but if you?re really not into weight training, find an activity you like to do that work all your major muscle groups.

5)? You need to eat properly.

Putting aside any low carb/low fat/high protein controversies, the simple fact is, if you want a fit body, you need to nourish it.? Protein, carbs and fat are important, but vitamins and minerals are key elements that your body needs, too.? No matter what way of eating you?re following make sure you?re getting enough vitamins and minerals.? Add a variety of fresh vegetables and fruit to your diet.? The next time you go grocery shopping, linger around the produce section and not only pick out some old favorites, but experiment a little by trying something new!

4) You can?t lose weight overnight.

You didn?t gain it overnight -- or in two months -- and you?re not going to lose it overnight? -- or in two months.? Think of getting fit as a train leaving the station:? you start off slow, gather speed and then off you go!? Patience is the key here.? Look for consistent trends.? If you?re really not losing fat and getting stronger after a couple of months, then you need to sit down and honestly analyze what you?re doing.? Keep a journal to help you know how you?re really eating and exercising.

3)? You can?t spot reduce.

Genetics will decide where the fat will come off.? Doing 1000 crunches won?t reduce your belly fat.? Nor will 1000 leg lifts get rid of the fat on your inner thighs.? Your body does not burn the fat it needs from the body part that you?re exercising.? Your body will burn fat much like an onion is peeled, a layer at a time, if you will.? So, don?t overdo it on the exercise for one specific body part and look to getting your whole body in shape.

2)? There are no quick fixes.

That?s right, you heard me.? There are no quick fixes.? None.? Put all those pills, potions, contraptions and miracle diets in the garbage where they belong.? Learn the basics about how your body gains muscle and loses fat, so you won?t get sucked in by another scam again.

1)? Fitness is a lifelong commitment!

So, you faithfully work out and eat properly and you?ve reached your goals.? Now what?? Well, now you?ve got to keep doing it for the rest of your life, that?s what!? You can?t just work your way to being fit and then stop, because you?ll end up exactly like you were before.? Fitness is a lifelong commitment.? And, you want to know a secret?? It isn?t easy!? And anyone who says it is easy is trying to sell you something.? Make fitness a lifelong ambition and you?ll reap the rewards of a long and healthy life, filled with energy, strength and an overall sense of well being.

Suzanne Hiscock has been interested in fitness and nutrition for over 16 years.? She is the owner of FitWatch Inc. and developer of the?FitWatch Fitness Tracker, an online food and exercise tracker.? You can visit the site at?http://www.fitwatch.com for a variety of fitness calculators and tools.

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The egg, the symbol of birth, of life and, therefore, of spring has been celebrated by numerous cultures at this time of the year. Eggs were given as gifts at spring festivals in ancient Egypt, Greece, Persia and Rome. They were often dyed red to symbolize the power of the womb. Eggs, of course, still play an important role in our springtime holidays, but the real power comes from handling and eating eggs at this time of year. It is said that at the exact moment of the Equinox an egg can be balanced on it?s end because the earth is at it?s ultimate balance point (if you try it, write me and let me know how it went!)

So what does the egg have to offer us nutritionally?

Eggs for Balance

Despite the decline in egg consumption, they still make ... important nutritional contributions to the American diet, according to Dr. Won O. Song, PhD, and Jean M. Kerver, MS, of the Food and Nutrition Database Research Center, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University. They are nutritious, tasty, versatile and convenient. Eggs are an excellent source of high-quality lean protein and are far less expensive than most other animal-protein foods. Eggs also provide significant amounts of several vitamins and minerals (vitamin A, riboflavin, and others).

Although eggs contain a significant amount of cholesterol, they need not be excluded from the diet. They just need to be eaten with education:

In 1 large egg, the yolk contains 5 grams total fat, 2 grams saturated fatty acids, 213 milligrams cholesterol, and 60 calories. The egg white contains 15 calories.

Eggs are one of the most nutritious foods you can eat. However, it is important that you eat organic eggs. This is not necessarily cage-free or free range eggs. According to Dr. Mercola of www.mercola.com, An egg is considered organic if the chicken was only fed organic food and will not have bioaccumulated high levels of pesticides from the grains (mostly bioengineered corn) fed to typical chickens.

For more detailed nutrition information, check out Nutrient Value of Eggs at http://www.enc-online.org/eggnutr.htm by the Egg Nutrition Center (ENC).

Heather Dominick, ?The Energy Expert? is an energy and nutrition specialist with over 10 years of teaching and coaching experience. Heather?s primary focus is in helping others identify sources for increasing physical energy and making permanent lifestyle changes. To sign up to receive your free chapter of the famed e-Book Get EnergyRICH?, for her freebie how-to articles and no-charge teleclasses on creating your most energized life, visit http://www.individual-health.net

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While most people suffer from heartburn and indigestion occasionally, chronic heartburn, which is typically defined as heartburn symptoms which are experienced more than twice per week, could be a symptom of something more serious. Chronic heartburn is one of the symptoms of acid reflux or gastrointestinal acid reflux disease, which is abbreviated GARD. Reflux is just a medical term that literally means to flow back. When stomach acid flows ?back up? the esophagus, we experience a burning sensation at the top of our stomachs, in our chest or throat. This is what most people refer to as heartburn.

Heartburn and indigestion may also be accompanied by bloating and/or gas. Certain foods have a tendency to create more gas in the stomach and the extra gas can cause the acid to bubble up leading to heartburn. Anything that puts extra pressure on the stomach, whether it is tight clothing or bloating from excess gas, can lead to heartburn. Chronic heartburn is probably not caused by excess gas. Many times people think that they have gas too often, but gas is a natural by-product of digestion and burping or passing gas after meals is normal and not cause for alarm. Heartburn and indigestion accompanied by gas may be relieved by taking an over the counter product such as Maalox anti-gas. These products relieve the bloating by bringing on burping, but have no effect on intestinal gas. If you are bothered by bloating or the amount of gas you experience, you may try a food or plant enzyme like Beano. These products are typically taken before meals that include foods that cause excess gas, such as beans and some vegetables.

Heartburn and indigestion is often accompanied by a sour or bitter taste in the mouth or the back of the throat. Those who suffer from chronic heartburn often experience this as well. Heartburn and indigestion as well as the sour taste can be relieved by peppermint or other mint oils. Antacids, such as Tums, are the choice of many, but some do not like the chalky taste. Peppermint is more pleasant tasting and soothing to the throat and is a common home remedy for heartburn and indigestion.

Heartburn and indigestion can be accompanied by chest pain, but chest pain should always be treated with caution. Chronic heartburn with or without chest pain should be evaluated by your physician. Chest pain that does not include the common symptoms of heartburn should be evaluated right away.

Sometimes people with heartburn and indigestion experience difficulty swallowing or a feeling that something is sticking in their throat. Chronic heartburn can cause a chronic cough, sore throat and/or chronic hoarseness. If untreated, chronic heartburn can lead to erosion of the lining of the esophagus. The esophagus has no special lining, like the stomach does, to protect it from stomach acid. It is possible to treat the symptoms of heartburn and indigestion at home, symptoms usually respond quickly to antacids. Chronic heartburn may be relieved by changes in diet and/or lifestyle. These changes are often advised even if a prescription medication that helps prevent chronic heartburn is given.

Patsy Hamilton writes informational articles for the Digestive Disorders Guide. Visit us at http://www.digestive-disorders-guide.com

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French fries

Greasy, crispy, crunchy, crinkly, crackling, good tasting and flat out terrible to your health. Potatoes are not the ideal vegetable in its natural form because it is a bit on the starchy side. However it is even more detrimental to your health when it is turned into French fries. It is processed and refined which means it loses a huge chunk of their nutritional value. To make it even worse they are fried in heart clogging vegetables oils commonly known as trans fat. The higher the temperatures the fries are fried in the more carcinogens or cancer causing agents they will contain.

Doughnuts

Do not start your day off wrong by eating a doughnut or two. Doughnuts are fattening, contain high amounts of sugars, and are fried. They contain a lot of calories but will not fill you up because they don?t contain many nutrients.

Soda

Sodas are very sugary and corrode the teeth because they dissolve into them gradually weakening them over time. They contain a load of calories, are carbonated, contain processed caffeine, contain artificial colors, and raise the insulin levels rapidly (blood sugar levels). I would highly recommend kicking the habit of stopping by the nearest store or vending machine to pick up a pop.

Frozen Entrees

Frozen entrees are highly processed. In order to preserve them they usually contain trans fat. The chicken is sometimes breaded and fried. The ratio balance of nutrients in them is way off; they usually give abundant meat with a tiny bit of vegetables. The correct proportion should be a lot of vegetables with a little piece of meat. They usually contain some type of sugary dessert and usually recommend the use of a microwave which is extremely dangerous to your health.

Canned Goods

Canned fruits or vegetables are nothing close to the real thing. Imagine taking the healthiest food. Now for a twist, imagine taking it and adding loads of sugars and salt to it, stripped it of its nutrients in order to preserve it and can it with chemical agents inside them and placing it on the local supermarkets. That is what basically happens in a nutshell to can foods. There was never a problem with high blood-pressure in the early days of America. In a matter of fact America was actually known as the healthiest country in the early 1900s. However with the invention of all of these contemporary preserving methods the health of America has rapidly declined.

Candy

Try to avoid candy as much as possible. If you have to have some I would highly recommend old fashioned or homemade candy, which is not good for you but beats the processed junk that are contaminating the supermarkets today. Candy bars are sugary, contain abundant calories, processed chocolate, and trans fat. You know when there is something wrong with a food item when it can stay on the supermarket for a excessively long time. Hard candies corrode the teeth and contain high fructose corn syrup which spikes up the insulin levels.

Chips

I'm not sure which ones are worse, potato chips, or French fries? They both are cheap, greasy, and heart clogging. However when eating a big bag of potato chops you can sort of chow down until you realized that the whole bag is gone, and you can eat them while they are cold.

For more free lifesaving information pay us a visit at www.cardiacgym.com.

Doug Purcell CPT Fitness Consultant Alternative Medicine Expert Natural Bodybuilder http://www.cardiacgym.com owner

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