Worst Spending Habits Call Center Agents Need To Break

Borrowing money to pay another debt is a common story here in Philippines. Though most of the people may find this a “common” scene and seems like there’s nothing to worry, on a financial perspective, this is very alarming.

Financial debt is increasing in the Philippines. If we will not take action to solve this financial issue, we’ll surely see our fellow Filipino kababayan swimming in debt. This blog is to help fellow Filipinos to increase their awareness in financial matters of life. If you are one of us, help us spread the word in this awareness campaign.

Listed below are Filipino spending habits that are commonly seen in the Philippines. We hope by the end of this post, you’ll be more aware of these bad money habits and take action.

Saying that you can is one thing, but proving it is another thing.

FDA Finally Admits Chicken Meat Contains Cancer-Causing Arsenic

According to the Associated Press, FDA confirmed that chickens sold in markets are positive for inorganic arsenic. Arsenic is a toxic, cancer-causing chemical which can be lethal in high doses. The problem, in fact, lies in the origin of the arsenic which is given to the chickens.

Arsenic is intentionally mixed with chicken feed. More than 70% of the chicken raised for meet are given arsenic in order to cause faster growth on less feed and give the healthy color of chicken, turkey and hog meat, according to the IATP`s report in 2006.

The FDA admitted that, more than a half of the tested chicken had inorganic arsenic in their liver, which is the most harmful form of this cancer-causing chemical.

Because of this reason, Pfizer had to stop producing the arsenic-containing drug called Roxarsone, which was frequently added to chicken feed.

The Wall Street Journal reported:

“The agency said it recently conducted a study of 100 broiler chickens that detected inorganic arsenic at higher levels in the livers of chickens treated with 3-Nitro compared with untreated chickens… Pfizer said sale of 3-Nitro would be stopped by early July in order to allow animal producers to transition to other treatments.”

Even though this product was recalled from the stores throughout the US, the FDA declares that chicken is safe to eat because it does not contain high concentration of arsenic.

The production industry hides the fact that arsenic is extremely toxic and harmful chemical. According to the University Of South Carolina Department Of Environmental Health Services, arsenic together with mercury and lead has extremely damaging neurological effect on fetuses and children.

Experts claim that arsenic is 4 times more poisonous than mercury. The trivalent Arsenic As+3 is 60 times as toxic as the pentavalent As+5.

According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, people who consume large amounts of rice which contains arsenic, experience cellular changes which lead to cancer development.
Recent studies showed that arsenic causes Bowen disease, invasive squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma on the skin, and cancers of internal organs such as kidneys, lungs, liver and bladder.

Beside all these facts, FDA continues with its claim that it is safe to eat food that contains arsenic, but it is dangerous to drink elderberry juice.


 


(source: http://livingtraditionally.com/fda-finally-admits-chicken-meat-contains-cancer-causing-arsenic/)

Warning, Popular Oats Contain A Common Toxic Ingredient!

As you know oats get a lot of praise from health organizations. So how exactly do oats contribute to our health? Unprocessed oats contain manganese, selenium, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc and Vitamin E.

Whole unprocessed oats are a very good source of fiber, especially beta-glucan. They are the only source of 20 unique unique polyphenols, a group of antioxidants called avenanthramides, known to prevent against heart disease. The polyphenols of oats have been found to possess anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and anti-itching activity, which can protect from coronary heart disease, colon cancer, and skin irritation. However, before you eat that bowl of oatmeal, here are important things to know about oats.

Important Things to Know about Oats

1. Oats contain high levels of phytic acid and avenin. 

Avenin appears to have some of the same problems as gluten in certain sensitive individuals. Soaking oats reduces anti-nutrients and helps unlock the nutrients. To soak oats, mix together 1 cup of steel-cut oats  to 1 cup warm, filtered water with a Tbsp of apple cider vinegar  for at least 12 hours.

2. Non organic oats contain high levels of pesticides.

Non-organic oats are sprayed with glyphosate (Roundup’s active ingredient), so that essentially makes them as bad as GM corn, canola and soy. According to the USDA Pesticide Data Program there are 6 pesticide Residues found in conventionally grown oat crops. They are Malathion, piperonyl butoxide, metolachlor, DDE p,p’, peopiconazole, and chlorpyrifos methyl.  SO if you decide to eat oats, make sure to purchase organic raw oats.

3. Organic steel cut oats are the healthiest. 

Steel-cut oats are whole groats chopped into several pieces. Though steel-cut oats take longer to cook, they  contain much more nutrients than conventional oats.

4. Most commercial oats contain gluten. 

Though pure oats are gluten free, they get contaminated with gluten when they are processed in facilities that also process wheat, barley, and rye. So if you are gluten intolerant, even a trace amount of gluten can cause severe health consequences. So check the fine print on your labels!

5. Oatmeal can raise blood sugar quickly in many. 

 

People with sensitive insulin response, have a significant surge in blood glucose after eating oatmeal.

6. Oatmeal can prevent healing of cavities. 

Oatmeal prevents healing and encourages new cavities, due to its ability to prevent mineral absorption.




(source: http://supertastyrecipes.com/2016/01/popular-oats-contain-a-common-toxic-ingredient-here-are-the-only-types-of-oats-you-should-eat/)

5 Secret Tricks to Lose Weight At Any Age

Every year, it seems, the needle on the scale is a little harder to budge.

You cut back on portion size; you say, “No, thank you,” to dessert; you sign up for a Zumba class — and yet your jeans size goes up and your energy level goes down. What’s going on?

Starting in our early 40s, our bodies go through a series of changes that profoundly affect digestion, metabolism, and other bodily functions. Thanks to hormonal and other changes, the very growth rate of our cells slows down. It’s just something we have to learn to work around.

Sometimes, though, something’s gotten off track, metabolically speaking, and there’s an underlying medical issue that needs to be dealt with before the usual weight-loss measures will have any effect. Here’s a 5-step plan for understanding the challenges that prevent weight loss over 40, and for learning how to overcome them.

1. Get to know your body’s new biological rhythms — and adjust to them.

When it comes to burning calories, it’s a fairly simple equation. What goes in must be burned off, or it sticks to our ribs. Acquiring weight is absurdly easy — eating just 100 extra calories a day (100 more than what your body burns) will lead to a 9- to 10-pound weight gain over the course of a year, experts say.

How much is 100 calories? Not a lot: A can of Coke contains 155 calories, a chocolate bar more than 200.

Of course, that cola or chocolate chip cookie is no problem if we’re walking or running it off. But after 40, our activity level tends to decline, too. So the challenge is to bring the two into balance.

Make a list of what works for you, and what throws you off. Your own healthy habits in the past are the ones most likely to work for you now.

2. Eliminate underlying metabolic conditions.

Would it surprise you to know that thyroid problems strike as many as 1 out of 5 adults over age 40? And 8 out of 10 of those adults are women? The most common of these is hypothyroidism — an underactive thyroid — and it’s one of the primary reasons many women over 40 can’t lose weight.

If you suspect an underactive thyroid may be slowing your metabolism, the first step is to call the doctor and ask for a thyroid test.

3. Get more sleep to burn more calories.

As any perimenopausal woman or hardworking man over 35 can tell you, sleep gets ever more elusive as you age. It’s not just that we’re busier and more stressed. We also have multiple physical issues, from back pain to snoring to night sweats, any of which can interfere with getting a good night’s sleep.

Yet, paradoxically, getting a good night’s sleep is one of the keys to losing weight. In recent years, significant research has shown that lack of sleep is directly connected to weight gain because of the actions of two hormones, leptin, and ghrelin, that control hunger and satiety, or feeling full.

Here’s how it works: When you’re sleep deprived, ghrelin levels increase at the same time that leptin levels decrease. The result is more craving, less feeling full. Add to that the fact that sleep-deprived people often crave “energy” foods, which tend to be sweet or salty, and you can see how small changes in your routine can add up to big weight gain.

And there’s more. Recently, studies have shown that our bodies are most metabolically active while we sleep and that sleeping less than six hours impairs glucose tolerance, a key precursor to diabetes. So the longer we sleep, the more efficiently our inner fat-burning and sugar-processing engines function.

Add these all together and you can see a pattern emerging: The older we are, the harder it is to get a good night’s sleep — and the less we sleep, the more likely it is we’ll gain weight.

What to do? Take steps to combat sleep problems and your waistline will benefit, too.

4. Strike up a healthy relationship with your sweet tooth.

If you’re dying for a sweet treat, give it to yourself, savoring it slowly so it registers fully with your brain’s pleasure sensors.

A trick that many experts recommend: Cut the treat in half before you start eating, carefully wrapping the second half up to “save for later.” You may or may not want it — sometimes if you eat the first half slowly and consciously enough, you’ll feel satisfied. But knowing it’s there if you do plays a nice trick on your brain, which tends to crave things it perceives as being in short supply.

Also, don’t try to substitute artificially flavored sweets. Researchers have recently discovered that artificial sweeteners fail to trigger the body’s natural satisfaction response.

So eating that 100-calorie artificially sweetened cookie only adds to your problems; you’ll keep on wanting the real cookie, so the 100 calories you just ate were in vain.

5. Make slow, realistic changes in tune with your lifestyle.

Let’s say you want to lose 10 pounds. To do so right now, you’d have to burn 35,000 calories — an overwhelming number that would require you to eat nothing at all for about 2 weeks, or jog for 51 hours, or walk for 126 hours. Not only would it be impossible, but attempts like those would send your body into starvation mode metabolic slowdown, sabotaging your efforts.

But you could also, much more effectively, set out to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week for the next 5 to 10 weeks. Studies show that if you take the slow-but-steady approach, you’re much more likely to keep those 10 pounds off.

Remind yourself that you are the only one in charge of tuning up your metabolic engine. Decide whether to focus on cutting down the number of calories you’re consuming or on upping the number you’re burning. Most likely, you’ll strike a balance between the two that suits you.

If six half-hour walks a week is relatively painless for you, that’s a good choice; if you can only manage three, do that. If going outdoors in ten-degree weather is singularly unappealing and you wouldn’t be caught dead in a gym but it’s not too hard to give up dessert, then prioritize dietary changes instead.

Your primary goal should be making small, gradual lifestyle changes that you can incorporate into your daily routine and stick with over time. That’s the ultimate secret to combating over-40 weight gain.


(source: http://healthyrecipeshome.com/5-secret-tricks-to-lose-weight-at-any-age/)

No To Dehydration: 10 Signs that Your Body is Lacking Water

It is very important for everyone, specially  Call Center agents, not to suffer from dehydration. Water is the most important liquid for the human body. With 2/3 of it made of water, a person can only survive about 72 hours without it. What makes water so important is that every cell, organ and tissue in the body depends heavily on it.

WHAT WATER DOES TO THE BODY

    It helps digestion.
    It controls calorie intake.
    It keeps the balance of body fluids in check.
    It regulates and maintains body temperature.
    It lubricates your joints and eyes.
    It protects your tissues, spinal cord and joints.
    It helps your body eliminate waste products and toxins.
    It keeps your skin hydrated and youthful.

As all body functions depend on water, proper hydration is the key to overall health. And in order to stay hydrated, it’s important to drink lots of fluids and eat foods high in water.

However, there are conditions when your body loses more water than usual. Some of these include hard physical activity, excessive sweating, diarrhea, vomiting, diabetes and frequent urination.

Dehydration can have a negative impact on your body function as it leads to an electrolyte imbalance.

Unfortunately, dehydration can often go unnoticed as most people are unaware of this condition. Knowing how to identify the symptoms of dehydration can help you take timely action and protect your health.

These are the top 10 signs that you are water deficient:

1. Headaches and dizziness

These are some of the first symptoms of dehydration because in this case, there’s a reduced amount of fluid surrounding your brain. This fluid is particularly important as it acts as a buffer protecting the brain from mild knocks.

Along with migraines, dehydration leads to irritating headaches because it decreases the flow of oxygen and blood to the brain.

According to a 2010 report published in the Handbook of Clinical Neurology, dehydration is one of possible causes of migraines and severe headaches.

A glass can water, as opposed to pills, can be equally beneficial when dealing with a headache caused by dehydration.

2. Brain fog or poor concentration

Not only does dehydration trigger headaches, but it also reduces brain function. As the human brain is almost 90% water, water deficiency in the brain can have a negative impact on your decision making skills, memory and mood.

Dehydration often manifests through symptoms of brain fog including forgetfulness and difficulty focusing, thinking and communicating.

According to a 2013 study published in Clinical Autonomic Research, dehydration is one of the most frequently reported causes of brain fog together with fatigue, sleep deficiency, and prolonged standing.

A different study of 2011, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, revealed that dehydration can also lead to mood swings.

3. Bad breath and dry mouth

In a state of dehydration, your body produces less saliva, which has antibacterial properties. This leads to bad breath because there’s bacteria proliferation in the oral cavity.

Another symptom is a dry mouth because water is a lubricant that keeps the mucus membranes in the throat hydrated, thus preventing dry mouth.

4. Constipation and other digestive issues

Water hydrates all cells and tissues in the body, which also applies to the digestive system. In fact, water keeps the gastro-intestinal tract supple and clean. Also, it stimulates regular your bowel movements and prevents constipation.

Constipation is a common symptom of dehydration leading to hardened stool due to excessive loss of fluid. Diarrhea and vomiting often lead to dehydration. This condition can even cause acid reflux and indigestion.

A 2003 study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition reveals that proper hydration is the key to prevent constipation and maintain proper body function.

5. Sudden food cravings

People commonly mistake their need for water with food cravings. In fact, your body sends false signals to your brain that you are hungry, when actually you are thirsty. So, the next time you get a sudden food craving, drink a glass of water first before reaching for a snack.

Another reason why you feel hungry when actually thirsty is the fact your body is craving salty food when you’re experiencing loss of water and electrolytes. You can easily address this issue by drinking a sports drink that contains sodium, or by mixing some fresh lemon juice, a glass of water and a teaspoon of salt.

When there’s glycogen production difficulty in your body, you also experience sweet cravings. In this case, reach for fruits like watermelon, papaya or berries, which are not only sweet, but also high in water.

6. Reduced need for urination and change in urine color

If you don’t have the need to urinate every few hours, your body may be experiencing dehydration. When you are getting enough water, you should be going to the toilet about 4-7 times a day. If, however, you don’t, the toxin levels in your body increase.

Another thing that dehydration does is change the color of your urine, which is an important indicator of how well hydrated you are. When your body is well-hydrated, the color of your urine is clear or light, whereas dark yellow or amber-colored urine is a clear sign of dehydration.

7. Fatigue and lethargy

Dehydration also makes you feel fatigued and lethargic. As your brain is lacking water, this causes low blood pressure and inadequate oxygen supply throughout your body. This in turn leads to sleepiness, fatigue and a lethargic feeling.

Dehydration also negatively affects the transport of essential nutrients to every cell in the body. In fact, your body works very hard to sustain this, spending more energy than usual, thus making you feel constantly tired.

Keeping hydrated is the easiest way to stay alert and full of energy.

8. Joint and muscle pain

Your joints and cartilage are made of 80% water, so whenever you’re lacking this fluid, it increases friction between your bones, which leads to joint pain. In contrast, when your body is well-hydrated, your joints can handle sudden movements, such as running, jumping or falling, without any pain.

Water deficiency also results in muscle spasms and cramps.

9. Scaly, dry skin and lips

Dry skin is another issue that dehydration triggers because it leads to lack of elasticity. Your skin is the largest organ, which need a lot of water to stay in good health.

Moreover, low water levels cause less sweating, thus preventing the body from effective elimination of excess dirt and oil built up on your skin. Dehydration also increases the risk of acne, eczema and psoriasis as water stimulates flushing toxins out from the body.

Dry and chapped lips are another common sign of dehydration.

Make sure you maintain proper body hydration and good skin quality by drinking sufficient amounts of water.

10. Accelerated heartbeat

Last, but not least, proper hydration influences your heart rate and performance. Dehydration makes the blood more viscous and reduces plasma volume, which affects blood circulation and increases your heart rate. This was confirmed by a 2014 study published in the Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research.

The researchers found that the heart rate changes an average of three beats per minute for every 1 percent change in body weight resulting from dehydration.

In addition, dehydration not only leads to hypotension, but also causes changes in electrolytes levels in your body. This makes heart palpitations become faster due to extra stress on your body. This can often be frightening and cause anxiety and panic.

In such a case, sip water slowly to see if you’ll feel better and feel if your heart will beat faster. If the problem persists, consult a doctor.

Tips to Prevent Dehydration:

Drink plenty of water on daily basis. The amount of water you need depends on a number of factors, including the climate where you live, your physical activity and overall health.

Always start your day with a large glass of water at room temperature and drink one full glass before each meal.

It’s recommended to even set a reminder to drink a glass of water a few times a day if you are busy and often forget to drink water.

Always carry a bottle of water with you no matter where you are going.

Increase your intake of water-rich fruits and vegetables on regular daily basis.

Stay away from drinks that cause dehydration, such as alcohol, energy drinks and those with caffeine.

When suffering from a fever, vomiting or diarrhea, increase your fluid intake to prevent severe dehydration.

Consult your doctor if you are having symptoms such as extreme thirst, dizziness, not passing urine for more than eight hours, and a rapid or weak pulse.

(source: http://www.healthyfoodteam.com/10-warning-signs-that-your-body-is-lacking-water/#arvlbdata)

THERE IS CURE FOR CANCER SINCE 1923 – IT WAS HIDDEN FROM THE PUBLIC!

In 1931, the German scientist, physiologist and medical doctor Otto Heinrich Warburg, received Nobel Prize for this revolutionary breakthrough.

He discovered that unhealthy lifestyle and unhealthy diet associated with creation of acidic environment in the body, which further leads to cancer development. Excess acidity in the body removes the oxygen from the cells and this is the perfect environment for growth of cancer cells.

Cancer cells need anaerobic conditions and glucose in order to grow and spread. Healthy body tissues in the human body are alkaline, while tumor tissues are acidic.

According to Dr. Warburg, if you remove 35% of the healthy cell`s oxygen, it will convert into cancer cell in only two days.

IMPORTANT: Proper nutrition is an essential part of healthy lifestyle. The acid-base environment in the body is determined by the types of foods you consume.

Acidity and alkalinity are measured with a logarithmic scale called pH. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral. A pH less than 7 is acidic. A pH greater than 7 is basic. In a healthy body, the pH values should be slightly above 7.

Also, the pH of the blood is always 7.4 and 7.45.

Which foods create acidic environment in the body?

•     Alcohol
•     Any cooked food
•     Bread
•     Refined salt,
•     Refined sugar and all its derivates,
•     Products of animal origin (milk and cheese),
•     Refined flour and all its derivates (cakes, pasta).
•     Margarine
•     Cigarettes
•     Coffee
•     All industrial processed food such as cans, artificial colors, flavors, stabilizers and others

Which foods alkalize the body?

•     Fruits
•     Vegetables
•     Water

Regular physical activity is also very important for your health. Being inactive for a longer period can lead to incidence of numerous diseases. In addition, 60% of what you eat should be alkalizing foods.

People who suffer from serious diseases should eat a diet consisting of 80% of alkaline foods and avoid processed and unhealthy food.

(source: http://www.healthyfoodteam.com/there-is-cure-for-cancer-since-1923-it-was-hidden-from-the-public/#arvlbdata)

Pinoy Call Center Agents Suffer From Insomnia and Fatigue

A significant percentage of workers employed in the country’s business process outsourcing (BPO) sector — majority of whom working in call center facilities — are suffering from work-related health problems, a recent study showed.

Although it noted some negative aspects of the country’s BPO sector, the study, conducted by the International Labor Organization (ILO), also said working conditions and pay remain of “good quality" for BPO workers in the Philippines.

“[The study] reveals that 42.6 percent of BPO employees in the Philippines work the night shift, which is associated with occupational safety and health concerns, such as sleep disorders, fatigue, eye strain; neck, shoulder and back pains; and voice problems," a statement in the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) website quoted the ILO study as saying.