SEO Packages – Image optimization tutorial

A short image optimization tutorial that will help how to SEO optimize web images for better search engine positions.

Image optimization  is an important part of On-Page SEO. Everybody knows that images have a great role in SEO and can improve your overall SEO performance.

As you browse internet you can find many websites with images named like this: “dsc3244.jpg”. That will not have any negative effects but, also, you will miss to get some positive effects. Off course, optimized images will not increase your positions to the sky but little bit. Image optimization is just one of hundreds factors, but by not optimizing many small factors your website optimization will be poor.

There are 4 most important image factors:

    Image name    Alt attribute    Title attribute    Caption textImage name:
Image name is, logically, the most important factor and you should optimize your image names to be SEO friendly and to shortly describe what on that image really is. As separator it is good to use “-“.

Example: “seo-packages.jpg”

Image alt attribute:
Image alt attribute is the second most importantfactor but be careful, do not overoptimize that. Do not try keyword stuffing and manipulating with this attribute. Just make it sounds normal.

A previous example was an image named “seo-packages.jpg”. A good alt attribute for that image can be “Affordable SEO Packages” or “Professional SEO Packages”.

Use of “alt” is to explain what is on that image. Another thing is that if someone’s browser or mobile phone does not support images, they will show your alt attribute.

Image title:
Title attribute should have a descriptive text explaining what is on that image. For a given example<img src="http://www.articlesfactory.com/pic/x.gif" alt="Computer Technology Articles" border="0", it should look like: “Professional On-Page and Off-Page SEO Packages”. Image title is also shown on mouse over.

Note that image title is not so important for SEO but it is nice to have one.

Caption text around the image:
It will bring some SEO benefits if you put captions near your images. Text related to the image will show search engines that that image really fits where it is placed.

No need to mention that you should resize your images through PS or something and not via html.

Article Tags:
Image Optimization

What is omega-3 fish oil good for could take a long time to answer as the list is seemingly endless! Let me run down the main benefits and give you some tips to find the best quality ones.

Prevention of heart attacks and strokes and lowering of high blood pressure or hypertension are the most well-known and estimated to be responsible for saving hundreds of thousands of lives. Lowering of the bad or LDL cholesterol and the effective treatment of arthritis and other joint problems also features highly.

Recently it has been proven that fish oils help maintain proper brain function and mental well-being and considering 30% of our brains are made up of DHA omega-3 fats, that’s not so surprising. So what else is fish oil good for?

It is proving effective in the treatment of ADHD and Autism, helping to balance out behavioural problems and helping improve comprehension and verbal skills in children.

The two types of omega-3 fatty acid that are important are DHA and EPA. As you have seen, DHA is the most important and responsible for most of the benefits so any supplement you choose should have a high level, at least 250mg per capsule or soft gel.

The best supplements come from New Zealand as the Hoki fish they come from is naturally high in DHA and due to the pristine and sustainable waters, it has very high purity levels too. Despite this, you should check that any oil has undergone molecular distillation to ensure any remaining impurities like mercury are removed.

A little knowledge goes a long way and with some research first, like you are doing now by reading this article, you can easily find your way through the maze of poor products and find the few truly effective ones.

I hope this article on what is fish oil good for will help you to soon be taking a daily omega-3 fish oil that will give you all the benefits possible to keep you healthy not only for now, but for the future too.

If you would like to learn more about the high quality DHA fish oil supplements I personally take daily, visit my website today.

There are different causes of acid reflux and heartburn. Acid reflux is a major concern for those with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Acid reflux and GERD happen when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens and stomach acid and contents reflux back into the esophagus.

This results in a variety of symptoms and can lead to other serius health problems. Without effective treatment for GERD, you are at a much higher risk of developing Barrett’s esophagus which can also lead to deadly esophageal cancer. And without reducing or eliminating your acid reflux condition you could end up with erosion of your esophagus or a hiatal hernia.

Symptoms Of Acid Reflux:

· Heartburn/ burning sensation
· Chest Pain
· Hoarseness & Sore Throat
· Regurgitation
· Bleeding in the esophagus
· Stomach ache

Know the Causes Of Acid Reflux

Most commonly blamed causes of acid reflux are consuming too many spicy and harsh foods. The reality is that highly acidic foods are actually the root problem because they increase the production of stomach acid. There are many foods that fall into the high acidity category that you wouldn’t think of including eggs and some fruits and vegetables. But, yes of course spicy and strong tasting foods should also be avoided or eaten in moderation. You also must not only watch what you eat, but when you eat and drink and how much.

Treatment For Acid Reflux

Heartburn, especially mild heartburn is often ‘treated’ with over the counter antacids. While this may provide some relief, it does not really treat the cause of acid reflux problems or cure them. It is definitely not wise to turn a blind eye to what may be a serious condition and continue to cause more problems in your body, by masking and not treating the real issue.

Your doctor may prescribe drugs and medications for GERD and acid reflux. There are several different types of medications that work in several different ways. Some promote digestion in the stomach while others block acid production in the stomach. Unfortunately these drugs have been shown to come with many side effects, ranging from mild discomfort to the serious and deadly.

It is clearly much wiser and safer to attack the causes of acid reflux with natural health remedies. Why would you want to develop other major health problems, become dependent on expensive and dangerous medications and yet still continue to suffer, when with a few changes you can naturally cure your symptoms?

Ways To Combat The Causes Of Acid Reflux:

· Stop smoking
· Reduce or eliminate alcohol
· Try chewing gum after meals to promote digestion
· Do not drink at meals – wait 30 minutes after eating
· Drink 6-10 glasses of water per day
· Eat 6-7 small meals and snacks per day as opposed to fewer, larger ones
· Keep your upper body elevated after meals
· Do not bend over after meals
· Increase the amount of alkaline foods in your diet.

Acne is a skin disorder that occurs due to too much of sebum production in the skin. It causes skin eruption and inflammation, which is mainly characterized by formation of pimples, papules, pustules or comedones. Commonly seen in people during their adolescence/teenage years, hormonal changes which are extremely dominant at that time, are a contributing factor for acne in teenagers. Stress, psychological disturbances, and irregular or unhealthy living habits can also be responsible for acne in many people. Acne generally do not leave a scar, but squeezing or picking acne can lead to scars or marks on the face.

Although, acne is not a severe skin disorder, it can have an adverse psychological impact on its sufferer. Since, most of the time acne develops during the most crucial years of a person’s life, where one is extremely conscious about his/her looks, living with acne scars can be very difficult and embarrassing. Hence, teenagers with acne usually undergo depression and develop low self esteem and lack of confidence. Though, there are many treatments available to remove acne scars, like chemical peels, remove acne scars creams and laser therapy, if you are looking for some inexpensive and natural ways to remove acne scars fast, that too without any side effects, keep reading, as here comes simple ways on how to remove acne scars naturally. More on natural acne cures.

Remove Acne Scars: Home Remedies

Drinking Water: One of the best acne treatment is to keep yourself hydrated by drinking enough water at least 64 ounces of water daily. Water improves blood circulation, removes acne scars and prevents acne breakouts, hence it helps in healing process.

Healthy Diet: Eating healthy and balanced diet comprising of plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fibrous foods, helps in healing the acne scars fast. Proper nutrition is key to a healthy and glowing skin, hence, the more nutritious foods you add to your diet, faster the scars will heal.

Lemon Juice: Lemon or lime juices are the two most effective natural ingredients that can be used to fade acne scars. They help remove old skin and add elasticity to the skin making it look healthy and clean. Either drinking fresh lime juice or applying pure lemon juice over the skin, helps getting rid of the acne scars. More on lemon juice for acne.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E is healthy for skin, hence applying it on the scars will not only heal them but will also improve the skin quality. Many vitamin E capsules are available that can either be taken orally or rubbed on the face. All one has to do is to puncture the capsule and squeeze the content on to the scars. More on vitamin E scar healing.

Essential Oils: Here are some of the effective essential oils that help in removing acne scars naturally.
Chamomile and Lavender Oils: These oils have healing properties that help in fading away acne scars. By regularly rubbing few drops of these oils on the scars, one can see improvements in the skin within a few weeks.
Rosehip Seed Oil: Rosehip seed oil is another effective home remedy, having anti-aging and anti-wrinkling properties, which remove the scars and regenerate the skin.
Tea Tree Oil: This oil is obtained from the Melaleuca alternifoliais tree and is quite effective against acne. Since, acne is mainly caused by bacteria, tea tree oil contains bacteria-fighting substances called terpenes, that work as an antibiotic and destroy these acne causing bacteria. More on tea tree oil for acne.
Olive Oil: Olive oil is another good home remedy that helps in lightening the acne scars. Taking few drops of olive oil and massaging it on to the acne scars for a couple of days will help in fading them away.
Natural Face Packs: Following given homemade face masks for acne will also help in reducing the marks and tightening the skin pores.
Combine one tbsp of sour cream with one tbsp of oatmeal and yogurt, and add a few drops of lemon juice. Mix well, apply the mixture on the acne scars and leave it there for about 10 – 12 minutes. Rinse well and pat it dry.
Prepare a paste of rose water and sandalwood and apply it the scars. Leave it on the skin overnight and next morning wash with cold water.
Mix the mashed or pureed pulp of tomato and cucumber and apply on the face for an hour or so. Rinse off with water and pat it dry. More on face mask for acne.
Aloe Vera: Aloe vera gel or juice is also very effective natural cure against acne. The enzyme-rich gel has very soothing anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, that help in treating several skin disorders. And its juice reduce the dark color of the scar when applied and makes the facial skin healthier. Moreover, if consumed internally, it helps to clean up and detox the digestive tract. More on aloe vera gel for acne.

Read more on:
Acne Scar Removal
How to Get Rid of Acne Scars Naturally
Acne Treatment at Home
Applying ice cubes, egg whites and honey are some other ways to remove acne scars naturally. Exercising regularly and live a stress free and a healthy lifestyle will also help in getting rid of this skin disorder. However, if the aforementioned home remedies for acne scars do not prove to be beneficial, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist for other treatments that can elucidate the case.

Have you noticed that being around a dog that is trained is lovely to be around?

Dogs that are trained are less likely to jump up on people, and are less at risk of biting someone. Their manners are very calm in nature and don’t get distracted in most environments.

It is important to train your dog with the goal to teach them limitations, thus making them more relaxed around humans. On the internet there are so many hundreds of dog training programs and as many professional dog trainers. However, it is hard to tell which are professional and which give real value to training your dog.

The best way to find a good trainer is to ask your friends and family if they know a good dog trainer. Once you have found a trainer, ask them what method of training they teach and how long they have been instructing. There are tons of training methods for dogs that do not apply to the times of today. Ask the trainer what method they use, why they use it, and what the benefits of it are. No question is stupid because you are thinking of your dogs best interest.

Whether you train your dog yourself or find a professional, teaching your dog commands and socializing it is important. Areas to cover in training include:

1. Learning the sit command. Normally this is the first thing that new dog owners teach their puppies and dogs.

2. Interacting with other dogs. Helping your dog socialize with other dogs is great at dog parks and also in a dog training class.

3. Socializing to strangers. Dogs love humans and getting them acquainted with more humans makes it easier to interact with strangers.

4. Dog Leash walking at your pace. This is important that your dog learns who is the boss by you regulating the speed of the do walks.

5. Learning the stay command: This command is important for your dog to master in different environment obstacles.

There are many benefits to having a well-trained dog. But it doesn’t necessarily mean the dog will not develop behavioral problems down the road. Being around a well-trained dog is a joy and it strengthens the human-animal bond.

Eczema
Eczema is a condition where the skin gets irritated and becomes itchy. Some forms of eczema are caused by a lack of moisture and the skin therefore gets dry, itchy, and flaky. Eczema has symptoms that include the above mentioned description as well as other signs of the skin irritation. These symptoms include areas of the skin that are irritated and itchy, skin can lack moisture and be flaky, the itchiness can lead to scabs that cover the affected areas. Eczema often affects areas that are more often exposed to the outside world. This means that hands, neck, face, and legs are more often affected than other area of the body. Eczema can be treated with creams that moisturize the skin and allergy pills to stop itching. Those are just a few of the many remedies for Eczema.

Dermatitis
Dermatitis is another skin condition that forms a rash and can have skin that is scabby or leaking fluid due to the scabs draining. Contact dermatitis is a form that is caused by coming into contact with an allergen thus affecting the skin. It can be very difficult to determine what irritant affected the individual. There are multiple forms of dermatitis including eczema (called atopic dermatitis). Atopic dermatitis is usually chronic and has some genetic factors to it, as well. Atopic dermatitis can also be caused by anxiety provoking situations. Dermatitis can be treated with creams that stop the irritation and allergy pills to stop the itchiness associated with it.

Itchy Skin
Itchy skin can be caused by a variety of factors. Itchy skin could be due to eczema or dermatitis or any other number of different reasons. Itchy skin can be caused from the skin being dry. Dryness can be caused by the body not being able to produce enough moisture for the skin. Itchy skin can also be caused by spending too much time in the sun having the skin dry out. Another reason for itchy and dry skin is spending too much time in water that is too hot for the body. Lack of moisture in houses and buildings also causes itchy and dry skin. Once skin is irritated one can use lotion to moisturize the skin. Another option is to bathe in a special anti-itch bath which is most often an oatmeal mixture. Creams can also work for severely dry and itchy skin. If the skin is itchy and cream does not help with that one may want to consider taking an allergy pill to stop the itching.

Allergies
Allergies are when the immune system acts to protect the body against a certain trigger. The symptoms can include itchy skin and irritation. Other symptoms include difficulty breathing, itchy or teary eyes, a drippy nose, as well as many other reactions. Allergies that affect skin are quite common and are sometimes referred to as contact dermatitis. Allergies can be treated with anti-histamines that will stop itchiness and possibly clear up other symptoms related to the allergy. Seek medical treatment if an allergy causes anaphylaxis (difficulty breathing, feeling like one’s throat is closing up) or if the allergy just won’t go away.

One of the most popular activities during spring break is taking a cruise. For one price you get accommodations, fun, a tan and unlimited food. Now that spring break is here, you can finally show off that body you’ve worked so hard to perfect over the last few weeks. All you can eat buffets, drinking all night long and lack of exercise might leave that body begging you to stop. There are some ways you can be healthy and have fun all at the same time.

When you take your first cruise, you’ll immediately notice that there’s food all around. Some ships have multiple cafeterias and they’re usually open around the clock. They’ll serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at certain times and have pizza, sandwiches and desserts all day long. When meals are served, you can usually order as much food as you want. If you’re hungry after your second, third or fourth plate, just ask for more. All this food can make for a tasty treat but you should try and at least limit yourself to some of the healthier options.

Whenever you’re eating at a buffet, there are a few tricks you can use to eat less. Start off by grabbing a big plate and loading it up with anything from the salad bar. The vegetables will take up a lot of room in your stomach but won’t add a lot of calories. Feel free to add salad dressing but be reasonable with the amount you add. Soups work good too. When you’re done with your salad or soup, get a smaller plate and go for the main course.

You can use the same idea for dessert. Start with fruit and then go for the pies, brownies and cookies. You can also try frozen yogurt as a healthy alternative. Try staying away from drinking too much soda. It’s made of mostly sugar and can add up to hundreds of calories at the end of the day without giving you any vitamins or minerals.

For fun, most ships have numerous bars and night clubs that cater to all sorts of different people. You can dance the night away at the club or karaoke to your favorite song at the bar. The common element at all of them is the free flow of alcohol. Abstaining from it is the healthiest way to go but also the most unlikely path you’ll take. Instead, enjoy your drinks in a healthier manner.

If you’re getting a mixed drink, use diet sodas. This can cut around 100 calories per drink which will probably add up to a lot by the end of the night. Try mixing your drinks with fruit juices which still contain some vitamins and minerals. Even this little nutrient content is much healthier than soda. You can also take shots which are a lot lower in calorie content but still have the same amount of alcohol. If you take shots to save on calories, make sure you don’t end up drinking more since taking a shot is a lot easier than downing an entire drink. If money isn’t an issue, wine is the healthiest choice. Its high in antioxidants which are actually healthy for you.

The lack of exercise combined with alcohol and all you can eat buffets can result in unwanted weight gain during a cruise. Luckily, most ships contain more than one area in which you can exercise in. You can go to a gym that has treadmills, bikes and free weights or you can play outdoor basketball, volleyball and golf. Most also have an outdoor track that goes around the perimeter of the ship making for a run like you’ve never experienced.

The whole point of a cruise is to have fun. There are ways you can eat and drink more than you usually do while still being relatively healthy. Bon Voyage!

If you’re looking to make a difference in the way you look for spring break, you need to realize that change takes time but if you work hard you can make a difference in the way you look so that others will notice. The Guide to Getting a Perfect Spring Break Body has articles, FAQs, tips and tools to help you get a spring break body in a short period of time so you can show it off on your cruise, beach trip or at the pool.

Americans are too heavy — but not just on the scale.

Metals, not fat, are making us heavy. In fact, almost 40 percent of us have toxic levels of lead in our bodies. And we don’t even know it.

Lead toxicity does have symptoms, like headaches, insomnia, irritability, low sex drive, tremors, mood problems, nausea, depression, memory difficulties, trouble concentrating, poor coordination, and constipation. But it’s hard for most us to realize that they may be caused by lead poisoning.

At a recent medical conference on heavy metals and health, I was surprised to hear about new research that the media has been ignored. For example, a 2006 study in the journal Circulation should have been major news.

In that study, researchers measured the blood lead levels of 13,946 adults and followed them for up to 12 years to track what diseases they developed and why they died. (1)

It’s true that the average person’s blood lead levels have dropped dramatically since lead was removed from gasoline and house paint several decades ago.

But our levels of lead are still high, because we are still exposed to lead in our soil and water, as well as from our own bones, where we store it.

The level considered “safe” by the government is less than 10 micrograms/deciliter. But in this study, blood levels of lead over 2 micrograms/deciliter significantly increased the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death.

After researchers controlled for all other risk factors, they found that people with lead levels over 2 micrograms/deciliter had a 25 percent higher risk of dying from any cause, a 55 percent higher risk of dying from heart disease, a 151 percent higher risk of having a heart attack, and an 89 percent higher risk of having a stroke.

But that’s not all.

A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed a strong link between high blood pressure in postmenopausal women and blood lead levels. That’s because bone loss during menopause releases lead and injures blood vessels, which raises blood pressure.

Another study in The New England Journal of Medicine found that reducing lead levels in patients with kidney failure by using chelation therapy could prevent further loss of kidney function, save billions in healthcare costs, and eliminate the need for dialysis in millions of people. (3)

Lead has also been linked to ADHD, developmental and learning problems, and autism.

Yet most doctors don’t offer chelation therapy. They haven’t learned how to deal with environmental toxins like lead.

That’s a huge concern, because research shows that children with decreased IQ scores are those who have lead levels between just 1 and 10 micrograms/deciliter. (4)

And more than 10 percent of poor and inner city children have lead exposure levels higher than 10 micrograms/deciliter!

I recently treated a young boy with extremely high lead levels who had Asperger’s syndrome, severe ADHD, and violent behavior. The lead was probably passed to him from his mother in the womb.

But once we used chelation and nutritional support to eliminate his lead poisoning, his attention, behavior, and social skills got much better.

Lead isn’t going away. It’s still in our soil and water. We track lead into our homes from contaminated soil. Today regular house dust often contains 17 times the level of lead it once did.

And in Washington, DC, the government recently had to provide free water filters for everyone because up to 20 percent of the city’s tap water may be contaminated with lead.

But there’s good news. There are some ways you can treat yourself for lead toxicity. Do the following:

1. Test your lead levels. The easiest test is a simple blood lead test, but make sure the lab can measure extremely low levels of lead. Levels higher than 2 micrograms/deciliter should be treated.

Because the blood test only checks for current or ongoing exposures, you’ll also need a heavy metal challenge test with DMSA, EDTA, or DMPS, which you can get from a doctor trained in heavy metal detoxification. (See www.functionalmedicine.org or www.acam.org to find a qualified doctor.) Consider undergoing chelation therapy if your lead levels are high.

2. Reduce your exposures by removing your shoes before you enter your home. Ask guests to do the same.

3. Test your water for heavy metals.

4. Buy a carbon or reverse osmosis drinking water filter.

5. Take 1,000 milligrams of buffered ascorbic acid (vitamin C) a day, this helps remove lead from the body.

6. Take 2,000 to 4,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily to prevent your bones from releasing lead into your bloodstream.

By following these steps, you can reduce your lead exposure and get — and feel — healthier.

REFERENCES:

(1) Menke A, Muntner P, Batuman V, Silbergeld EK, Guallar E. Blood lead below 0.48 micromol/L (10 microg/dL) and mortality among US adults. Circulation. 2006 Sep 26;114(13):1388-94.

(2) Nash D, Magder L, Lustberg M, Sherwin RW, Rubin RJ, Kaufmann RB, Silbergeld, Blood lead, blood pressure, and hypertension in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. JAMA. 2003 Mar 26;289(12):1523-32.

(3) Lin JL, Lin-Tan DT, Hsu KH, Yu CC Environmental lead exposure and progression of chronic renal diseases in patients without diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2003 Jan 23;348(4):277-86

(4) Canfield RL, Henderson CR Jr, Cory-Slechta DA, Cox C, Jusko TA, Lanphear BP.Intellectual impairment in children with blood lead concentrations below 10 microg per deciliter. N Engl J Med. 2003 Apr 17;348(16):1517-26.

Americans are too heavy — but not just on the scale.

Metals, not fat, are making us heavy. In fact, almost 40 percent of us have toxic levels of lead in our bodies. And we don’t even know it.

Lead toxicity does have symptoms, like headaches, insomnia, irritability, low sex drive, tremors, mood problems, nausea, depression, memory difficulties, trouble concentrating, poor coordination, and constipation. But it’s hard for most us to realize that they may be caused by lead poisoning.

At a recent medical conference on heavy metals and health, I was surprised to hear about new research that the media has been ignored. For example, a 2006 study in the journal Circulation should have been major news.

In that study, researchers measured the blood lead levels of 13,946 adults and followed them for up to 12 years to track what diseases they developed and why they died. (1)

It’s true that the average person’s blood lead levels have dropped dramatically since lead was removed from gasoline and house paint several decades ago.

But our levels of lead are still high, because we are still exposed to lead in our soil and water, as well as from our own bones, where we store it.

The level considered “safe” by the government is less than 10 micrograms/deciliter. But in this study, blood levels of lead over 2 micrograms/deciliter significantly increased the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death.

After researchers controlled for all other risk factors, they found that people with lead levels over 2 micrograms/deciliter had a 25 percent higher risk of dying from any cause, a 55 percent higher risk of dying from heart disease, a 151 percent higher risk of having a heart attack, and an 89 percent higher risk of having a stroke.

But that’s not all.

A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed a strong link between high blood pressure in postmenopausal women and blood lead levels. That’s because bone loss during menopause releases lead and injures blood vessels, which raises blood pressure.

Another study in The New England Journal of Medicine found that reducing lead levels in patients with kidney failure by using chelation therapy could prevent further loss of kidney function, save billions in healthcare costs, and eliminate the need for dialysis in millions of people. (3)

Lead has also been linked to ADHD, developmental and learning problems, and autism.

Yet most doctors don’t offer chelation therapy. They haven’t learned how to deal with environmental toxins like lead.

That’s a huge concern, because research shows that children with decreased IQ scores are those who have lead levels between just 1 and 10 micrograms/deciliter. (4)

And more than 10 percent of poor and inner city children have lead exposure levels higher than 10 micrograms/deciliter!

I recently treated a young boy with extremely high lead levels who had Asperger’s syndrome, severe ADHD, and violent behavior. The lead was probably passed to him from his mother in the womb.

But once we used chelation and nutritional support to eliminate his lead poisoning, his attention, behavior, and social skills got much better.

Lead isn’t going away. It’s still in our soil and water. We track lead into our homes from contaminated soil. Today regular house dust often contains 17 times the level of lead it once did.

And in Washington, DC, the government recently had to provide free water filters for everyone because up to 20 percent of the city’s tap water may be contaminated with lead.

But there’s good news. There are some ways you can treat yourself for lead toxicity. Do the following:

1. Test your lead levels. The easiest test is a simple blood lead test, but make sure the lab can measure extremely low levels of lead. Levels higher than 2 micrograms/deciliter should be treated.

Because the blood test only checks for current or ongoing exposures, you’ll also need a heavy metal challenge test with DMSA, EDTA, or DMPS, which you can get from a doctor trained in heavy metal detoxification. (See www.functionalmedicine.org or www.acam.org to find a qualified doctor.) Consider undergoing chelation therapy if your lead levels are high.

2. Reduce your exposures by removing your shoes before you enter your home. Ask guests to do the same.

3. Test your water for heavy metals.

4. Buy a carbon or reverse osmosis drinking water filter.

5. Take 1,000 milligrams of buffered ascorbic acid (vitamin C) a day, this helps remove lead from the body.

6. Take 2,000 to 4,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily to prevent your bones from releasing lead into your bloodstream.

By following these steps, you can reduce your lead exposure and get — and feel — healthier.

REFERENCES:

(1) Menke A, Muntner P, Batuman V, Silbergeld EK, Guallar E. Blood lead below 0.48 micromol/L (10 microg/dL) and mortality among US adults. Circulation. 2006 Sep 26;114(13):1388-94.

(2) Nash D, Magder L, Lustberg M, Sherwin RW, Rubin RJ, Kaufmann RB, Silbergeld, Blood lead, blood pressure, and hypertension in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. JAMA. 2003 Mar 26;289(12):1523-32.

(3) Lin JL, Lin-Tan DT, Hsu KH, Yu CC Environmental lead exposure and progression of chronic renal diseases in patients without diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2003 Jan 23;348(4):277-86

(4) Canfield RL, Henderson CR Jr, Cory-Slechta DA, Cox C, Jusko TA, Lanphear BP.Intellectual impairment in children with blood lead concentrations below 10 microg per deciliter. N Engl J Med. 2003 Apr 17;348(16):1517-26.

Were you surprised to learn that you had ADD (attention deficit disorder) when you took your son or daughter to the doctor to find out why they had difficulty paying attention? You probably also learned that there is a 25 – 35% probability that if you have ADD, your child will too. Don’t blame yourself! It’s not your fault. It’s just simple genetics that you have no control over, and if you take a negative attitude, it can depress you. On the other hand, you may have been relieved to finally have an answer to feelings you’ve had since childhood but could never put a finger on. Put any negativity out of your mind right now! Focus on your strengths and weaknesses, and in the process you’ll probably lose your bad feelings. Taking positive action leads to having success with ADD, for both you and your child with ADD.

If you’re married and have a family, ADD can be particularly stressful for you. In most households, it’s the woman who is responsible for family structure and organization, and when you can’t quite meet up with societal expectations, you probably becomes guilty and even more distressed. This is especially true when you also work outside the home.

You might find these tips helpful:

Though the office has its set routines and requirements that may work with your ADD, there are no set schedules for most family activities, especially before the children are of school age. Try to make timetables for yourself that will help with feelings of not knowing what to do because there’s just so much of it. And if you’re working outside the home, having so much to do in so little time after working hours can be overwhelming.

Delegate some of that housework to your partner, if they don’t already chip in and do some of it for you. If your kids are at least 5, you can give them simple chores to do, too, like setting the table. Don’t feel guilty about making your kids work, either. They need to have a way to learn responsibility. They also need to learn the value of money, and if you give them an allowance for the work they do, you’ll be accomplishing three things: You’re alleviating some of your own burden, you’re teaching your kids responsibility, and you’re also teaching them the value of money.

Schedule the chores you have to do, too. Monday’s do the laundry. Tuesday, do the dusting. Wednesday, take care of the banking, and so on. Schedule all these tasks in some kind of planner, and keep it nearby at all times. Somehow, when you write what you have to do down on paper or key it into a computer, the list doesn’t look so bad. Plus, you won’t have to worry about all you have to do because it will be right there for you. Keep a schedule and schedule these things in.

Waking up and going to bed at around the same time every day may be helpful, too. Eat your main meals at the same time every day. Do things with your kids at the same time every day and so on. Though not everything in life should be structured, having a loose idea of what’s going on during the day will make you feel more secure. And if you work outside your home, try having “nights,” like “pizza night,” “fun night,” and “learning night,” or something like that. It will help you to know what to do when you’re too tired to figure something out.

Some people with ADD also have anger management issues. When all hell is breaking loose around you–the kids are fighting, the dog’s barking, and you’re just trying to get dinner on the table–don’t take it out on the kids. That’s just bad for everyone concerned.

As you know, we can’t control all situations, and distractions make us irritable when we’re trying to concentrate and can’t. So, when you’re doing something complex, like cooking for example, ask someone else to be referee in the family room. In fact, ask your partner or someone else who’s available to watch the kids in another room while you do what you need to do without the distractions. Or, just don’t cook! Catering isn’t as expensive as you might think when you consider the time taken to go out and buy the food, cook the meal, etc. Maybe having someone else prepare your meals isn’t such a bad idea.

But if you’re just a chef at heart, or you can’t afford to have meals catered or to eat out often, then prepare the meals while your kids are in school, or at least the hard parts, and just take them out, ready to go when the family is ready to eat. If you’re a single parent, you might also consider hiring a babysitter when you’re doing something that needs complete concentration from you. It can be cooking or a big project for work. Just because you’re at home working doesn’t mean you can’t use a babysitter sometimes. Just think of all the ways you can help yourself, and you’re sure to come up with an ADD-friendly system that will work for you.

Things happen, though, no matter how much you try to plan ahead. When you’re feeling like you want to explode, go into another room for a while and give yourself time to chill out and get back to normal. Give yourself some time to put situations back into perspective. Emotional outbursts don’t help you or anyone else and they won’t solve your frustrations. They’ll just deepen your guilt.

Women with ADD are also in danger of becoming substance abusers, and hide their dependencies from other people. This is a form of self-medication, hoping that whatever they’re abusing–alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, painkillers, etc., will stop the symptoms of ADD. If you’re one of these women, seek the help of a medical professional right away. There are any number of things you can do to ease your condition, without destroying yourself and your family.

The first thing you need to do is to stop blaming yourself. You didn’t ask to have ADD, and when you start looking at it as an advantage due to your high intelligence, your intense creativity, and your ability to hyperfocus on things, you’ll feel much happier. Awaken to the possibilities of ADD; don’t look at it like a “disorder.”

ADD is nothing to be depressed about. In fact, figure out what your strengths are and it can make you very happy. You’re probably highly intelligent and can do many things at once. You can hyperfocus on tasks that you really enjoy doing and come out with something far superior to the average Jane. Discover your personal pitfalls, and work on ADD-friendly systems to overcome them. You may need professional help to do that, and if you do… ask for it! That will be the first step on your road to making your life happier and in sending your self-esteem through the proverbial roof.

Tellman Knudson is CEO of Overcome Everything, Inc., and a certified hypnotherapist and NLP practitioner, who was also diagnosed ADHD in his childhood and has learned to deal with typical ADD problems. Get his Free weekly ADD Success tip when you visit Instant ADD Success at http://www.instantaddsuccess.com/