All medicinal mushroom species are plagued by this. Most fiercely debated is red reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), the most popular of all medicinal mushrooms. So this article will primarily focus on that species, but it’s generally applicable to all species of medicinal mushrooms.

First off, stay clear of cheap, mass-produced medicinal mushrooms. If they are just dried and pulverized, then the medicinal compounds are still inaccessible behind the mushrooms’ cell-walls. You’ll be wasting your money on inert matter.

Then there are the real therapeutic grade red reishi brands, which are produced with much more care. But even here there are big differences between brands. Each claims to be the best, of course, because they want to sell their product. So lets set the facts straight and be independently informed consumers.

Following are the three primary ways of creating reishi extracts. Each method yields different medicinal compounds, all of which are shown in scientific studies to have important properties.

1. Water (Hot) Extraction (polysaccharides, etc.)

2. Alcohol/Ethanol Extraction (triterpenoids, etc.)

3. Fermentation (arabinoxylanes, etc.)

Polysaccharides have been shown to possess powerful anti-tumor qualities through enhancing the immune system and by inhibiting blood profusion through tumors. They are also strong antioxidants. [1]

Triterpenoids include a large number of related medicinal compounds whose proven effects include stabilization of blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood clotting. But most importantly, the triterpenoids are the anti-inflammatory compounds of reishi. [1] Inflammation is a serious component in asthma, allergies, arthritis and many more conditions.

Finally, by fermenting the red reishi, the original medicinal compounds break down to form new compounds with unique healing properties. These “secondary metabolites” have among other things been shown to be immune enhancing and help regulate blood sugar, as well as having unique anti-tumor properties. [2]

Since this article is not intended to elevate any one brand over another, no brand names will be mentioned. Nevertheless, the author does know of two highly reputed brands (American and Japanese) that claim only hot water extracted red reishi is of any value and that alcohol extracts are useless.

They do that, of course, because they wish to sell their products. However, there is no scientific validity to those claims. All three extraction methods listed above yield important medicinal compounds.

To find the best red reishi products, look for those brands that use at least the first two extraction methods in combination: Hot Water Extraction and Alcohol Extraction. Better yet would be brands that incorporate all three extraction methods, including Fermentation.

Last but not least, remember to look at the form the reishi comes in. If the reishi is able to dissolve completely in water-based drinks like coffee, it’s a safe bet that it only contains the water-soluble polysaccharides. An excellent choice as far as coffee goes but an incomplete reishi supplement because it does not include the anti-inflammatory triterpenoid compounds.

On the other hand, alcohol tinctures can actually contain both water soluble polysaccharides and alcohol soluble triterpenoids. The way you know is that the polysaccharides will fall out of solution because of the alcohol, and will make the tincture cloudy. That’s alright though; you just need to shake before you take. Capsules and tablets may be one or the other or both. The only way to know is ask the manufacturer or read their information.

[1] Boh B, Berovic M, Zhang J, Zhi-Bin L, 2007. “Ganoderma lucidum and its pharmaceutically active compounds.” Biotechnology Annu Rev-:265-301.

[2] Tang YJ, Zhang W, Zhong JJ. “Performance analyses of a pH-shift and DOT-shift integrated fed-batch fermentation process for the production of ganoderic acid and Ganoderma polysaccharides by medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum.” Bioresour Technol. 2009 Mar;100(5):1852-9.

Dr. Rafael has worked with natural health since the’90′s, recently focusing on medicinal mushrooms. He partners with Davida Sara on premium reishi extract and cordyceps extract plus the newly popular mesima mushroom and more.

One of the mushrooms was Birch polypore – Piptoporus betulinus – which it is believed he used as a remedy against intestinal parasites. Eggs of the whipworm parasite (Trichuris trichiura) were found in his intestines. The other mushroom in the possession of Oetzi was Tinder fungus – Fomes fomentarius – which has been traditionally used in Europe to cauterize wounds and stop bleeding.

Both species belong to the group of mushrooms known as polypores, so named because of the many pores underneath. They often grow on trees, and to date no species is known to be poisonous to humans.

Polypores are usually considered inedible due to the fact that they are hard and wood-like. But for ancient peoples all across the globe – from China and India to Europe and the Americas – polypore teas and poultices have none-the-less been indispensible allies to human health at least for as long as written and oral traditions can recount.

Oral traditions of Native Americans bear tale of many types of polypores being used to help against the diseases brought by the Europeans, including Birch polypore but also Reishi (Ganoderma resinaceum), Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor), Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) and the now almost vanished species Agarikon (Fomitopsis officinalis).

And as though by no coincidence, Agarikon also holds the distinction as the oldest medicinal mushroom in historic European literature. In 65 B.C., Greek physician Dioscorides recorded it in Materia Medica as a remedy for tuberculosis. More recently, K. Grzywnowics in a 2001 article titled Medicinal Mushrooms in Polish Folk Medicine said Agarikon tea was traditionally considered an elixir for long life and listed historical uses to include lung conditions (coughing, asthma) and rheumatoid arthritis, but also infected wounds and open bleeding.

While mushrooms have been utilized medicinally in the West, it pales in comparison to the adulation they have received in the Orient. Next follows three species of medicinal mushrooms from Asia, which simply have to be included in any article on medicinal mushrooms.

First in this list has to be Reishi, a mushroom so revered throughout Asian history that it’s found in numerous ancient wood-carvings and temple engravings. It also owns the distinction as the oldest medicinal mushroom in Chinese literature, first encountered in Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic, 2,000 B.C. Often referred to as a “panacea, its acclaimed properties are too numerous to list.

Next is Cordyceps, a minute fungus from the Tibetan plateau, parasitising on silk caterpillars. Cordyceps sinensis was first mentioned as a medicinal mushroom in The Classic Herbal of the Divine Plowman from 200 A.D. It is popular with athletes to improve physical stamina. Historically, it’s been used as an aphrodiciac.

Finally there is Shiitake, the number one gourmet mushroom of the Orient. Shiitake has been cultured in China for approximately 1,000 years as a food. What is less known is that it is also one of the most researched medicinal mushrooms in the world. A polysaccharide extracted from Shiitake is approved in Japan as an anti-cancer drug. Other qualities hinted at by research include antibiotic and immune enhancer.

Modern research into medicinal use of mushrooms began in earnest in the late 1960′s Japan. One pioneer, Dr. Ikekawa, discovered that families of mushroom growers had significantly lower cancer rates than their surrounding communities. Scientific research into medicinal mushrooms has expanded exponentially since that time and continues to increase and intensify until this day. Medicinal mushrooms are still in the process of making history.

Note: The information in this article is for informational purposes only. Mushrooms have not been aproved for medicinal use by the FDA. Always consult a licensed medical practitioner about the treatment of any medical condition.

Dr. Rafael has worked in the natural health field since the mid-90′s as a researcher and author, now specializing in fungi for health. Click medicinal mushrooms for more articles and mushroom products. Material for this article comes from several different sources. However, a significant portion comes from the books of medicinal fungi expert Paul Stamets, who deserves special credit and thanks.

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In this day and age where high technology and a fast paced lifestyle has become the norm, stress attacks everyone, regardless of age, gender or socio-economic status. It has become the most common cause that makes people feel unhealthy. It can cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from the most minor like a headache to the most terrible ones like body weakness with numbness of the extremities.

Are you willing to avoid these ugly situations? Then you might want to follow the techniques that can maintain your health in an optimum state. The next few paragraphs will show you ways to keep your body in optimum. Read on and be enlightened.

The first thing that you should do is to consume the right kinds and amount of food. As a typical individual, you are required to have a balanced diet which should comprise a healthy serving of carbohydrate-rich food, a small share of protein and very little fats and sweets. This is essential because energy is needed to be maintained while you are strenuously working from one task to another. In addition, the inclusion of protein will reinforce the wasted muscle brought about by sedentary lifestyle. Remember that although fats and sweets are tempting, they should be minimized to avoid lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Second, guzzling a minimum of eight glasses of water every day is essential to keep the body well hydrated. If you can increase it to twelve glasses, then that is much better. The most common problem people have is to drink only a glass of water only when they are thirsty. This is not good. You have to remember that the body is made up of 60-70% water, depending on the individual’s age. If a person is dehydrated, this causes him to feel hot, lethargic and impatient so he cannot concentrate on his job anymore.

Third, get a regular exercise. In order to make hour heart pump blood more efficiently, you have to work out for at least 30 minutes every day. An increase in the cardiac output will give better oxygenation to your cells and tissues. You will not only feel healthy but also look young and fresh. You can opt to do brisk walking, jogging or running. If you want some company, invite your friends. You can also try different sports like basketball, football or lawn tennis. If a limber and flexible body is what you want, join yoga or Pilates classes.

Fourth, go to your general physician once or twice a year. An annual executive check up is a must. Make sure that it includes a series of diagnostic tests in order to appraise whether you are at healthy or not. Through this, you can also help hinder the growth of masses or tumors that are just starting to grow. If your family has a genetic predisposition to cancer, you might seriously start contemplating on this suggestion.

Fifth, maintain a positive outlook in life. You must always strive to become an optimist because studies show that they live longer and do not sick easily. Having a happy disposition contributes to a better work output as well as improved relationships with friends and family members.

Keep a smile plastered on your face and this will make people feel that you are approachable. They will not hesitate to keep in contact with you and ask for your help and support. In turn, you will also feel good because you have done others a great service.

Are you willing to avoid these ugly situations? Then you might want to follow the techniques that can maintain your health in an optimum state. The next few paragraphs will show you ways to keep your body in optimum. Read on and be enlightened.

The first and most common tip is to consume the right kinds and amount of food. If you are a typical office employee, you must have a balanced diet. This constitutes a healthy serving of go food or carbohydrates, a tiny share of protein and a sprinkling of fats and sweets. Energy-giving food like bread, rice and pasta will keep you running and working throughout the entire day. Additionally, protein will fix the wasted muscle brought about by hours of inactivity. You must bear in mind to minimize sweets and fats too much intake of these items could lead to horrible lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Second, you must force yourself to drink an adequate amount of water. Eight to twelve glasses of water every day is necessary to keep the body from being dehydrated. People usually think that they should only drink when they are thirsty. This is a common mistake because when you are already feeling thirsty; your body has already slowed down its functioning in order to compensate for the water loss. Your brain and the vital organs have already stopped working in an optimum manner. If you feel hot and lethargic, this is the reason why.

Third, having a regular exercise will do wonders. Whether it is done at the gym or at the local neighborhood will not really make much of a difference. What is important is you do it at least three times a week. A thirty-minute aerobic activity will make your heart pump more efficiently, thereby increasing your cardiac output and oxygenating your cells and tissues. You will certainly look much better because of this. Take time to learn a new sport like lacrosse, Frisbee, taekwondo or karate. If it is flexibility that you are after, join yoga or Pilates classes.

Fourth, go to your general physician once or twice a year. An annual executive check up is a must. Make sure that it includes a series of diagnostic tests in order to appraise whether you are at healthy or not. Through this, you can also help hinder the growth of masses or tumors that are just starting to grow. If your family has a genetic predisposition to cancer, you might seriously start contemplating on this suggestion.

Fifth, maintain a positive outlook in life. You must always strive to become an optimist because studies show that they live longer and do not sick easily. Having a happy disposition contributes to a better work output as well as improved relationships with friends and family members.

Keep smiling so that you will radiate a pleasant aura. People will find you approachable and keep you in their short list of potential supporters. They will find you a breeze to work with. If you often lend a helping hand, you will gain more friends. You will also feel good because you are making others feel happy and you uplift their mood.

Lesli is a often referenced and professional health practitioner. Be sure to read her articles on the Honeywell HFD 120 Q for better house climate and the one about Omron HEM 780 Blood Pressure Monitor to make sure you keep your health under control at all times.

It does not come as a surprise to find health as a priority of most people today. It is based on the reasoning that stressors abound regardless of the chosen work area. Some even get sick and require to be admitted to the hospitals by their attending physicians because they need rest from such a heavy workload in their offices.

In order to promote a healthy lifestyle, an increasing number of entrepreneurs put up restaurants serving healthy food like organic and vegetarian dishes, fitness clubs with tailor made programs for their customers and supplementary items like tablets and capsules in the drugstore.

The next few paragraphs will spill the details on the perks that a healthy person can gain if he is consistently subscribing to a balanced diet, maintaining a regular exercise program, and visiting the general physician regularly. Read on so that you can apply them to your life.

The first advantage when you are healthy is that you will have a great performance at the office. How is this possible? Simple! You can easily do more because your body is in optimum condition. You can achieve many chores and at a faster rate when compared to your officemates who are having a sedentary lifestyle. You are packed with more energy and enthusiasm to last you throughout the long and tiring day. Mental alertness will not pose as a problem during important business transactions and board meetings. Sooner or later, your big bosses will definitely see you like an Energizer bunny and will commend you for it.

This go-getter attitude will definitely make you stand out from the rest and heighten your chance of getting a raise, and maybe even a promotion. This is surely one temptation that you should keep in mind if you are deciding to strive for a healthier status.

Second, if you are healthy, you will decrease your risk of getting various lifestyle diseases like diabetes mellitus and hypertensive cardiovascular disease. Everybody is well aware of the fact that most illnesses can be attributed to poor or wrong nutritional intake of food such as those with excessive fat, cholesterol and sugar. You have to consider also that the typical office employee has minimal exercise because they are stuck in their cubicles the entire day finishing their required assignments.

Third, you will live longer. You will definitely improve your longevity if you are healthy. Instead of being stuck in a nursing home bound to a wheelchair, you can still have the option of going about your daily activities in your old neighborhood. You are also free to do a lot of things, like visiting the museum, taking your grandkids out for a trip on the park, doing consultation work that is related to your previously-held job and so on. You can do this even if you reach the ripe old age of 100.

Fourth, you can deal with people in a more harmonious manner. Since you are functioning at an optimum level, you will be alert in making crucial decisions. You will also feel more comfortable as you carry out your daily meetings and discussions with your boss or your subordinates. Without a doubt, they will find you a pleasure to work with and they will not hesitate in approaching you. Unlike the unhealthy ones who feel like they are carrying the burden of the world on their shoulders, you will not feel grouchy because you have no reason to do so.

Hemlock Varnish Shelf (Ganoderma tsugae) is the local variety of Reishi (Ganoderma spp.) for eastern United States. It is common on Eastern Hemlock trees (Tsuga canadensis) throughout the Appalachian range.

Much of the therapeutic benefits are the same as those of the Common Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), which is the oldest used medicinal mushroom in Traditional Chinese Medicine with a 2,000 year history.

Hemlock Varnish Shelf is not limited to the U.S., though, and plenty of Asian research has been conducted specifically on this species of Reishi.

Grown commercially in Taiwan as a medicinal mushroom, Hemlock Varnish Shelf is exported to mainland China, where it is traditionally used to treat autoimmune diseases and asthma, as well as other conditions involving inflammation.

In modern scientific literature, we can only find one study on the use of Hemlock Varnish Shelf in the treatment of an autoimmune disease. A paper published in 2001 stated: “Improved the survival rate of lupus” [800] with the administration of Ganoderma tsugae extract.

When it comes to conditions involving inflammation of lung tissue, three studies have been conducted on Hemlock Varnish Shelf. It has been reported to “exert anti-inflammatory effects on airway responses” [801] in allergic asthma and other forms of broncheoalveolar inflammation. [802, 803]

One of the most novel uses of Hemlock Varnish Shelf is as a skin substitute during wound healing. The skin substitute material, commercially sold as Sacchachitin, has been proven in numerous studies to promote and speed up skin healing. It has been observed that “rapid wound healing” takes place when covered by Sacchachitin as compared to regular gauze [804] – a “wound area covered by SACCHACHITIN completely healed by 21 days, while that covered with cotton gauze did not.” [805, 806, 807]

Ganoderma tsugae extract has also been used in studies on cancer with results that encourage continued research. [808, 809, 810, 811, 812] Breast cancer [816] and lung cancer patients in particular have responded favorably in the studies conducted. [808, 809, 810, 811, 812] A study on cancer metastasis also reported positive results from the use of Hemlock Varnish Shelf. [817]

As with the Common Reishi, Hemlock Varnish Shelf extract appears to be immunomodulatory [817, 818, 819, 820, 821, 822, 823] – meaning that it will adjust the immune system up or down depending on what is needed. It helps strengthen a weak immune system, [824] but will calm an over-active immune system in cases of inflammation [825] or autoimmune conditions.

One study conducted in 2004 found Hemlock Varnish Shelf extract to posses liver protective properties and be anti-fibrotic. [826]

Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a licensed medical practitioner before using any herb (or mushroom) for medicinal purposes.

Dr. Markho Rafael has worked with natural health since finishing Chiropractic College in 1996. He currently specializes in medicinal mushrooms, working specifically with the extracts from Paul Stamets, which include reishi synergistic blends such as G5 (Five Ganoderma) and CordyChi Extract. For research references to this article, please go to the Ganoderma tsugae research list.

The medicinal mushroom Agarikon (Fomes officinalis) can live for 50 years or more, making it one of the longest living perennial mushrooms in the world. This is even more impressive in light of the fact that it starts growing on trees that are already old to begin with. In other words, Fomes officinalis can only survive in old growth forests.

The earliest written record of any mushroom used medicinally can be found in the Materia Medica from 65 B.C., where Fomes officinalis was listed by Greek physician Dioscorides as a tuberculosis remedy. [25] Other oral and written traditions from Poland and elsewhere in Europe indicate that Fomes officinalis was the most important medicinal mushroom in ancient Europe.

It may be a species of a bygone era. Agarikon is practically extinct in Europe. [146] Most remaining Agarikon mushrooms are now found in the moist old growth rain forests of western North America. Fortunately, it can be cultivated, so there is no immediate risk of losing the genetic material. Paul Stamets business Fungi Perfecti based in Washington State grows it, as does the company Mushroom Harvest out of Ohio.

The traditional therapeutic use of Fomes officinalis included pneumonia and, as previously mentioned, tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). It was also used for muscular and skeletal pain in the form of a poultice.

Congruent with this is a report from Poland, listing the historical uses of Agarikon extract to have included lung conditions (coughing, asthma) and rheumatoid arthritis, but also infected wounds and open bleeding. It is said to have been considered an elixir for long life. [147]

Native Americans were also aware of the medicinal properties of Fomes officinalis. Oral traditions among certain tribes hold that it was used as a remedy against diseases brought by the Europeans, including smallpox. One such tribe was the Haida of the American Northwest, who even incorporated Agarikon into their spirituality where it was associated with the female creator spirit Raven, and by extension to female sexuality and fertility.

Although rarely researched by modern medicine, two studies did report a strong immune boosting effect in subjects who were given Fomes officinalis extract. [148, 149]

Finally, a word of caution: Two of the common name synonyms for Agarikon (Fomes officinalis) are “Quinine Conk” and “Quinine Fungus,” due to the quinine-like bitter taste of the mushroom. However, Fomes officinalis does not actually contain the compound quinine and is not known to be effective against malaria.

Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a licensed medical practitioner before using any herb (or mushroom) for medicinal purposes.

Credits: Thank you, Paul Stamets, for research references.

If you are the kind of person who wakes up in the morning without feeling a dash of zest to begin the day, then you might have to admit that you are not feeling well. If you are at your office just going through your list of must do activities that reminds others of Robocop, then you should definitely start seeking for professional help. Things are definitely worse if the day ends and all you can think about is the comfortable bed waiting for you at home.

If you answered in the affirmative to all the queries raised in the aforementioned paragraph and you have been doing all these for some time already, it could only mean that you are not in the pink of health and that you need to seek medical treatment.

In contrast, a person who is healthy will wake up with fervor and passion the moment he opens up his eyes. He will also be more fired up to begin his daily chores, maybe even whistling along the way. He will also have plenty of time to socialize with his colleagues as he moves from one department to the other. At the end of the working day, he still has time to grab something to drink at the local pub or does some other chore like grocery shopping or reading books at the nearest library.

If you are a sane person, you can see the huge difference between someone who is unhealthy versus someone who is not. It is up to you to make the conscious decision to improve yourself or else you will have the disadvantages that a sickly person might go through. Read the succeeding paragraphs to know what they are.

First, you will look older than your actual chronological age. This may sound like a shallow reason, but in a world where first impressions really matter, you might want to think about this more conscientiously. It is not flattering and you might lose a job offer along the way. You may ask how that is possible. Well, if you give people the wrong impression that you are not taking care of yourself, they might assume that you also do not know how to take care of your clients or the needs of your client. They will then decide to look for a better partner with a more pleasing personality.

Second, you will have a higher chance of getting the dreaded lifestyle diseases like diabetes mellitus, hypertensive urgency and even cancer. A person does not get sick in a snap of a finger. It takes days, weeks and most of the time, years of physical abuse on the body to show its effects. If you are the type who gorges on fatty, salty or excessively sweet food, you are in a high risk group. Your chances will double if you do not get any physical workout like a thirty-minute cardiovascular exercise at least three times a week.

Then there is also the subject of vices like too much beer drinking and cigarette smoking. If you are always committing these mistakes, expect liver cirrhosis and lung cancer. Does that sound nice?

Third, an unhealthy state will make you grouchy. You will always come up with excuses not to go to the office. This will reflect badly on your work performance and might cause you to lose your job. If you want to avert this disaster, the take the first step to a healthier you by listening to the advice of your doctor.

The health benefits of using humidifiers are numerous. Humidifiers are appliances that are used in residences and businesses for the purpose and intent of inducing a high level of moisture within the structure that the unit is placed in. Generally, the unit is a small one that is intended for a specific area in the home or business. There are many different types of humidifiers that one can invest in. The ultimate choice, however, is identified by choosing one that releases warm moisture into the air, or one that delivers cool moisture into the air. Naturally, this is left to your own preference.

Air that is considered to be “dry” can actually have many detrimental health effects on a person. Humidifiers can assist in reducing the amount of dry air that a person is exposed to, therefore reducing the symptoms that can lead to the negative consequences that they have on the health of a person. In this guide, you will be introduced to several health conditions that are directly related to the quality of air that you breathe, as well as the amount of moisture that is contained in the air. Once you evaluate the health complications associated with dry environments, you are likely to discover that the investment involved in purchasing a humidifier for optimizing the health is well worth it.

Respiratory complications are among the most common health consequences that an individual experiences when exposed to dry air. It is not at all uncommon for an individual to experience complications such as asthma, mild to severe cases of bronchitis, an inflammation of the sinus cavity, and even a depletion of important fluids that are essential for certain respiratory functions. Naturally, if fluids in the nasal cavity and other fluids that are essential for respiratory activity in the body are depleted, this could result in dehydration.

Along with the respiratory problems, you can have issues with your skin due to dry air. Because of the low moisture that the air has brings on moisture evaporating from your skin. It is true that using humidifiers have benefits for your health, if you already suffer from medical problems involving your skin as those brought on by itching, diabetes, psoriasis, eczema, and other like afflictions you will feel some relief of these symptoms through adding moisture to the air with your humidifier.

Humidifiers also have benefits as far as extending the health of your eyes. Your eyes depend heavily on a certain amount of moisture to do such functions as lubrication on the different parts of the eye that give you your vision and the overall comfort of your eyes. You can actually suffer with what is called dry eye, this is a condition that occurs when you are exposed too much to overly dry air. This condition has symptoms such as your eyes having light sensitivity, eye pain, discoloration of your eyes, possible itching, and possibly even blurry vision. By using a humidifier you can keep from getting this condition in the first place.

Some people have complained of headaches when exposed to overly dry air. They can range from mild to severe headaches. Most of the headaches brought on by dry air are due to sinusitis. This condition has symptoms such as head pain and around the face, dryness in the sinus cavities, possible fever along with possible chills, the face may swell, and the gum and your teeth may experience pain. Through using your humidifier when you are suffering with this, you will find that your pain is lessened most significantly and that you will not have headaches as often.

In many instances, dry air feels relatively warmer than moist air. For many, this may not be an issue, but for some, the feeling of heat can be extremely uncomfortable. This is especially true when it comes to those that are experiencing hormonal imbalances such as women experiencing menopause and even ovulation each month. By using a humidifier, complications such as high temperature levels and hot flashes can be successfully avoided. The humidifier that implements the use of a fan in order to deliver cool moisture to the air assists in eliminating feelings of “heat” and hot air around the individual that is exposed to it.

As you can see, there are many health benefits of using humidifiers. If you live in an area that has a particularly dry environment, or has low humidity overall, it may be in your best interest to ensure the implementation of a humidifier in your home or office. In the same respect, if you suffer from health complications such as respiratory difficulties, skin conditions, dry eyes, headaches, sinus complications, and even increased body temperature and hot flashes as a result of hormonal imbalances, you are likely to reap the health benefits of using a humidifier.

When the morning comes, do you wake up with a bored outlook in life? At the office, instead of dividing your time chatting with your coworkers and doing your tasks, do you just sit idly in your cubicle doing your assignment in a monotonous manner? Do you hear people whispering Robocop wannabe behind your back? As soon as the bell rings, is getting home straight to your plush bed all you could think about so that another day is over and done with?

The situations mentioned above are the usual things an unhealthy person can experience over a period of time. Do you like the sound of it? Are you willing to go through this road for the rest of your life?

In contrast, a healthy individual sees the brand new day as something worth looking forward to. He will feel passion and excitement the moment he gets out of bed. Because of this, he may whistle a happy tune or sing a popular song as he goes to the shower and drive his way to the office. He will be pumped up to meet the challenging tasks that lie ahead. During break time at the office, he can hop from one table to the other and socialize with his friends. When the day ends, he will still have energy left to do other chores like grocery shopping or playing football at the field. The brainy ones can buy a paperback or two at a bookstore.

Do you see what difference a good health can make in the life of an individual? Being healthy is way better than being sickly. Therefore, it is vital that you strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet, having regular exercise and visiting your attending physician. Read the succeeding paragraphs to know the drawbacks of being unhealthy.

First, you will look older. Instead of looking like a fresh 23-year old lady, you will come across as a mature 35 year old woman. If you are a guy, you will look 15 years old than your actual age which is 30 years old. If you think this is a shallow reason for striving to be healthy, remember that that were many studies that have been conducted showing the importance of first impressions. If you do not have a flattering face and figure, the human resource officer might take it as a sign that you are neglecting yourself. If you are neglecting yourself, then how can they trust you with an important position at the office because you might also forget to give it importance? They will then decide to give the job to a more pleasant-looking applicant.

Second, if you are unhealthy, you will have a higher chance of getting the scary lifestyle diseases like diabetes mellitus, hypertensive urgency and even cancer. Take note that a person does not get sick in just a few seconds. It takes days, weeks and most of the time, years of physical abuse on the body to show its negative effects. If you have indulged yourself in sinful food like fatty, salty or excessively sweet stuff, you are under a high risk group. Your mortality rate will increase if you don’t have any form of physical activity.

Then there is also the subject of vices like too much beer drinking and cigarette smoking. If you are always committing these mistakes, expect liver cirrhosis and lung cancer. Does that sound nice?

Third, an unhealthy state will make you grouchy. You will always come up with excuses not to go to the office. This will reflect badly on your work performance and might cause you to lose your job. If you want to avert this disaster, the take the first step to a healthier you by listening to the advice of your doctor.