Whilst I was sleepily wandering about the kitchen this morning making tea and getting things ready for breakfast before I drove to work, an item on the radio programme caught my attention. The item was about taking exercise and during it the presenter suggested that you need only take 3 minutes a week of intensive exercise, now that certainly caught my attention!

The claim seems pretty outrageous, but it is apparently supported by many years of research done in a number of different countries including the UK. It is claimed that according to the research, a few relatively short bursts of intense exercise, amounting to only a few minutes a week, can deliver many of the health and fitness benefits of hours of conventional exercise. The principal is that you use an exercise bike and warm up by doing gentle cycling for a couple of minutes, then go flat out for 20 seconds and then stop. This is repeated after you have rested and got your breath back then it’s another full throttle pedalling, more rest and then a final 20 second burst, that is it!

According to the presenter, you are using far more of your muscle tissue than classic aerobic exercise, you are using not just the leg muscles, but also the upper body including arms and shoulders, so that 80% of the body’s muscle cells are activated, compared to 20-40% for walking or moderate intensity jogging or cycling. Well I’m not sure and I certainly will not undertake it before I have a word with my doctor first.

A major US study released last week has shown that an increase in physical activity and a change in diet habits helps to reverse mild erectile dysfunction. These lifestyle changes also help men who have severe erectile dysfunction if they are on medication as well.

In a review of six erectile dysfunction clinical trials, scientists found that the medication worked better if the man changed his diet to a healthier one and participated in more physical activities.

The launch of Viagra nearly 13 years ago has revolutionised the treatment for erectile dysfunction sufferers, with a 70 – 80% success rate, but not everyone can take it. Men with high blood pressure or angina cannot use the drug, and it can cause some side effects in some users including headaches and nausea.

Treatments for erectile dysfunction is a lucrative business and with an estimated 40% of men suffering some kind of ED by the age of 40, its little surprise that scientists all over the globe are working on alternatives to Viagra.

If you’ve been considering seeking a prescription for Xenical from your GP to enhance your dieting and weight loss endeavours, you should first know the following facts:

Clinical studies have shown that when Xenical is taken in conjunction with a low calorie diet (where 30% or less of the calories comes from fat intake) it is effective.

Overall improvements in health have been witnessed by obese individuals especially those with cholesterol issues.

Xenical is recommended by doctors because of its ability to block up to one third of the fat that is broken down and assimilated into the body’s cells.

Xenical is the only prescribed diet pill that is a true fat blocker and not an appetite suppressant, like other over-the-counter diet pills.

In addition to the facts above there are a number of questions about the product that should be addressed whenever you are speaking with your physician about taking this particular medication:

Is Xenical safe to take?
Has it been clinically tested?
What is the key difference between other diet pills and Xenical?
How do I know if Xenical is the dieting and weight loss medication for me?
Can I take this medication with other prescribed medicines?
Can I take it with supplements and vitamins that I am currently taking?
How long should I continue taking Xenical?
How does the pill help me lose weight?
Am I able to eat whatever I want if I am taking the pill?
How soon can I expect to see noticeable results?
Why am I not seeing any results yet after taking Xenical for 2 weeks?

If you direct these queries to your doctor and are satisfied with his responses, then this drug may well be effective in helping you obtain your weight loss target.  But remember that the GP must be satisfied that there are no other issues with your health that might make this drug unsuitable for you.

Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is a medical term characterised by the inability to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse.  ED is associated with a range of physical and psychological causes.  The physical causes of ED include hormonal imbalances and a narrowing of the blood vessels leading to the penis.  There are several associated psychological causes of ED, including depression and anxiety.

ED commonly affects up to 50 percent of men aged between 40 and 70.  While ED can have an impact on a man’s quality of life, it can be successfully treated. 

When ED develops as a result of an underlying health condition, the health condition must be treated before any therapy or medication can be prescribed for the ED.  In some cases, ED will resolve itself following treatment for an underlying health condition.

There are drugs available to treat ED; these are known as phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors.  They work by temporarily increasing blood flow to the penis.  In the UK, three PDE-5 inhibitors are available for ED.  These include Sildenafil, which is sold under the brand name of Viagra, Tadalafil also known as the brand name Cialis, and Vardenafil, which is also branded as Levitra.

Anyone with a medical prescription can buy these drugs from reputable pharmacists over the Internet.  This means that it is possible for a man to buy genuine Viagra online and have it sent directly to their home. 

Yes it’s true, I’m a dirty smoker banished to the outside of every pub and restaurant and even my house now! I know it’s not good for you and I want to be around for when my kids grow up so I’ve decided to quit.

I found the Gamucci Micro Electronic Cigarette online and think this might be a way to quit smoking as I’ve tried in the past with Nicotine patches and gum to no avail. The Gamucci Micro Electronic Cigarette looks like a real cigarette but without the harmful side effects and has refillable cartridges that come in different strengths.

I got the ideal from a friend of mine who used the same product when he quit smoking, so I am tempted to give it a go.

Has anyone else used the Gamucci Micro Electronic Cigarette to quit smoking? I would love to hear from you and your experiences.

There are several facts that you should be aware of before taking Xenical for your dieting and weight loss needs. 

Alli and Xenical are brand names of the drug while the generic name is Orlistat.  Additionally, it is the only prescribed “fat blocker” on the market and is not classified as an appetite suppressant like all the other dieting and weight loss pills are.

If you decide that you want to lose weight by taking Xenical you must consult with your physician who will assess if you are suitable.  If so he will prescribe the drug for you.

You won’t be able to take this product if you are allergic to Orlistat.  The same is true if you suffer from chronic malabsorption syndrome, or if you have gallbladder problems.  Your doctor will probably not prescribe the drug if you have, or have had:

An eating disorder.
A problem with gallstones or pancreatitis.
Any liver disease.
Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
An underactive thyroid.

Be sure to let your physician know if you have been taking other dieting and weight loss medication whether it is over-the-counter (OTC) or prescribed.

One of the more important aspects to be aware of is the fact that individuals who take Xenical and stick to a low-calorie diet, where 30% or less of those calories stem from fat, notice more significant results than if they are just dieting.  It is advisable that you involve yourself in some form of regular exercise or other physical activity.

Erectile dysfunction, or impotence, occurs when a man cannot achieve or sustain an erection during sexual intercourse.  Impotence can be caused by physical conditions such as low testosterone, high blood pressure or heart disease.  Psychological factors include depression, stress and relationship problems.  Treatment for erectile dysfunction can be with the use of medications, external vacuum pumps or surgery.

Medications for Impotence

Genuine Viagra and genuine Cialis are commonly prescribed medications used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.  They work by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual activity, which improves erectile function.  Side effects of these medications may include headaches, nausea and muscle aches.  Any patient who experiences an erection for longer than four hours should consult their physician immediately.

Additional Treatment Options

A vacuum pump is a medical device used to help cause an erection.  It works by creating a vacuum inside the device, which helps cause an erection; after which the man can place a tension ring around the penis to maintain the erection.  It is advised to use this device for no longer than 30 minutes.

Surgery may be used as a treatment option when other treatments have failed.  During surgery, men may have a penile implant placed inside the penis or the surgeon may reconstruct blood vessels and nerves in the penis to improve sexual function.

Choosing a Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction

Men who are experiencing erectile dysfunction should consult their health care professional for information on treatment options.  Medications such as Cialis or genuine Viagra may be prescribed for impotence.  To buy Viagra online or get genuine Cialis, men can use online pharmacies.

Erectile dysfunction is one of the challenging problems of manhood. Defined as the persistent failure to achieve and sustain an erection adequate for the sexual act, it was once popularly known as impotence. It is believed that by 2025, about 322 million males will have erectile dysfunction or ED. There are various risk factors for ED. These include psychological factors, neurologic factors, cardiovascular problems, and endocrine problems.  Lifestyle factors such as alcohol abuse and smoking may also lead to ED.

Several drugs have been developed to address ED, based on its cause. The first-line drugs are called phosphodiesterase-5 or PDE-5 inhibitors. Sildenafil citrate, more commonly known as Viagra, is a PDE-5 inhibitor. Viagra inhibits the enzyme called phosphodiesterase-5, resulting to a relative increase in cGMP. Increased concentrations of cGMP relax the smooth muscle of the penis. This relaxation is essential for the inflow of blood into the penile smooth muscle, which ultimately results in erection.

Viagra can be taken orally in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg tablets, depending on the severity of ED. The onset of action is about 1 hour, which means erection occurs approximately an hour after taking the drug. The effect lasts for 6 hours.

Men who take this drug are advised to avoid fats and alcohol. Men who are taking nitrates such as nitro-glycerine for angina or hypertension should not take Viagra. This is because the effects of nitrates and Viagra could add up, leading to a severe drop in blood pressure, which could result in death.

GlaxoSmithKline has suspended all of its US television adverts for its erectile dysfunction drug Levitra in an effort to improve its public image. Deirdre Connelly, North American pharmaceuticals president for GSK stated that the suspension of the adverts was the company’s commitment to trade with integrity and to be more respectful to patients.

She went on to say that although erectile dysfunction is a proven medical condition, it “certainly is not a condition parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents want to explain to children while watching a football game on Thanksgiving”.

Other erectile dysfunction drugs including Viagra and Cialis have long been criticised for airing their suggestive TV advertisement campaigns.

As I said last week on my blog, I have now got the Kinect sensor for the Xbox 360 and wanting to get a bit fitter I purchased EA Active 2 at the weekend. Here is my quick review of this latest fitness product.

Setting up:

As with most of EA Sports games there is a bit of setting up to do and before you start exercising you will have to set up a profile. This is relatively straight forward; you type in your name, height and weight, then choose a character and make them look like you. You can also choose your own outfits as well.

Workouts:

Once you have set up your character you can start your fitness regime. I chose to do the 9 week fitness course, which I started last night and this marks on a calendar 4 days a week with various exercises. The workout consists of 28 activities ranging from sprinting and mountain biking to dodge ball and kick ups; there is also a range of warm up and warm down exercises at the beginning and end of the session.

My first session lasted for about 28 minutes and I burned off 179 calories, which is really good, but there are some flaws to the Kinect system. Sometimes the sensor will not recognise you and goes to the identify player screen, but I don’t know whether it was me as I tended to walk away from it to get some water.

I have to say that the workout really got my heart going and I can see a lot of benefits of the EA Active 2 system; it not recognising you is a minor hindrance and can be skipped on with the controller.

I will write another review after I have completed 4 weeks of training to see if I feel any different and give you some tips and tricks.