There are more than 7 million psoriasis sufferers in America.

This article addresses the most common questions about it: -

'What is it?'

'What causes it?'

'Can you catch it from someone who has it?' and

'Is there a cure?'

1. Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition.
While it's not life-threatening, it can be very severe and disabling. It often appears between the ages of 15 and 35 but it can develop at any age. As many as 15 per cent contract psoriasis before their tenth birthday and it occurs nearly equally in men and women.

There are five types of psoriasis but the most common form, plaque psoriasis, appears as raised, red patches or lesions covered with a silvery white build-up of dead skin cells, called scale. Psoriasis can occur on any part of the body but typically on the scalp, elbows, knees, and the base of the back. However, it can develop anywhere, including the nails, palms, soles, genitals and face (which is rare). Strangely, the patches of white skin often show up on the same place on each side of the body.

2. The causes of psoriasis are still unknown to us but it is believed to have a genetic component. Most professionals agree that the immune system is set off by mistake, which speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells. A normal skin cell matures and falls off within a month but a psoriatic skin cell takes only a few days to rise to the surface and then, instead of falling off, the cells accumulate and form the lesions.

3. It's not contagious; you can't 'catch' it and people who have it are no threat to other people but it is an embarrassing condition which as well as causing an itchy skin can have a psychological effect too, since it influences people's readiness to let others see their skin. This not only can dictate what clothes can be worn or which social activities can be enjoyed but it can also make it difficult to mix with the opposite sex.

4. Regrettably, there is no cure but there are more and more treatments available which at least reduce the symptoms. People often need to try out different treatments before they find one that works for them.

Diseases which affect the skin may seem relatively unimportant when compared with other conditions but it's worth remembering that the skin is the largest organ in the body and it plays an important role in controlling body temperature and as a defence against infection. Large areas of psoriasis can lead to infection, loss of fluid and bad circulation.

So, is there hope for a cure?

Yes there is. Scientists are studying psoriasis more than ever before. They understand much more about its genetic causes and how it involves the immune system. Both the federal government and The National Psoriasis Foundation are funding research to discover the cause of psoriasis and to find a cure.

Whether you are following a rapid weight loss dietary plan or attempting to lose those excess pounds slowly, you are facing a life style change that is based totally on how your working week goes. One of the most important aspects of losing weight is mental attitude and changing bad habits and replacing them with new, although good ones, something that involves a certain consistency. There are many things that can affect your weight loss, for instance:

Genetic make-up
Past or current psychological issues
Mental attitude

Excess weight can cause a number of health issues, including those of self image and worth. Even though the health risks are reduced when somebody starts to lose that excess weight, it is the self-confidence and self-esteem returning that is the most evident. Rapid weight loss programs can accomplish this, although they are by and large a combination of things. A good, nutritious low-fat diet plan and regular exercise will be needed too. The dietary plan must be flexible to your tastes other wise it will fail, put aside at least a quarter of an hour each day to carry out some kind of physical exercise like brisk walking, running or other form of circulatory exercise.

Remember that even though there are many rapid weight loss plans available, everyone is different so not all will work, some individuals will have faster success than others: this is perfectly normal and is not an indication of failure. In cases like these it is best to substitute a more demanding exercise plan to compensate and learn to take notice of your body and alter your dietary plan accordingly. Listen as the body talks to you because everyone's metabolism reacts differently to the various fast weight loss programs, so try substituting one plan for another to compensate for the body's reaction.

Exercise plans must be suit each person so if walking is all that can be carried out, then walk. Walking is a fantastic exercise and it won't hurt if there is a little muscular tissue built up in the process because it burns calories quicker. Exercise often means a great deal of body fluids are lost and have to be put back. Rapid weight loss counts on flushing out your system so you must stay hydrated throughout the process, about eight large glasses per day should be enough. Stay away from fried foods particularly deep-fried as they contain a large amount of fat, and while fish and chicken appear leaner than beef, this white meat can hold more fat than when beef is fried.

Grilled food is better as the fat is not retained in the food or if it is, very little, so it will be much better for you. Even though some diets advocate a reduction in carbohydrates, this should be done in counsel with a dietitian as carbohydrates are the fuel that creates the energy needed for your body to operate. By adhering to this type of plan you can anticipate to lose around a pound or so in weight per day, but bear in mind that once you stop, the weight will go back on again.

So you have your new juicer and are ready to make all the vegetable juicing recipes you can. Before you buy lots of different vegetables to juice, you need to know some basics that will help you break into a vegetable juicing diet.

You must integrate vegetable juice into your diet with baby steps. Juicing allows you to absorb more nutrients because the vegetable juice is already removed for the pulp for your intestines to take them in. However, not all vegetable juice can be digested that easily, especially the green leafy vegetable juice that is very rich. It is better to use vegetables that are easy to consume first, such as celery, zucchini, beets, carrots, and cucumbers.

Use recipes that are based on a combination of these. After a while, when there are no issues with digestion, slowly add in some dark greens like broccoli, lettuce and spinach. Eventually, you should have no problems with almost all vegetables.

It is not a good idea stick with the same few vegetable juicing recipes that you enjoy. Try out juicing recipes that include vegetables you may not like. Reduce the amount it calls for if you need to and use other fruits and vegetables you like to mask the taste. That way, you won't get too used to a narrow diet. Your body may have a difficult time adjusting to changes in your eating habits otherwise. You also insure that you are getting a many vitamins and minerals. I would suggest using your favorite juicing recipes every 3 days or so, and the other days to try new things.

Many people don't like to deal with the taste of vegetable juice because it is may be too rich in nutrients and too bitter. If it is bitter, then sweeten it a little! Add some carrots and beets. Alternatively, you can use apples, grapes and other fruits to give it an enjoyable taste. If it's too dense, dilute it with water.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic neurological disorder that produces symptoms such as confusion, decreased dexterity, insomnia, lack of motor coordination, memory loss, shaking, stiff muscles, and tremors. Stem cells are an undifferentiated group of cells, which, depending on their surrounding conditions, are capable of developing into other types of cells such as liver cells, kidney cells, brain cells, or any of the other 260 different types of cells that make up the human body.

When Dr. Mehmet Oz appeared on Oprah Winfrey's show in March 2009, he showed a section of the human brain where lines are not present in a person who has Parkinson's disease. He believes that stem cells could be placed in that area to regenerate the damaged brain. He predicted that the use of stem cells to treat Parkinson's disease would begin in about eight years. What he obviously does not realize is that a clinic in Mexico has been using placental stem cells derived from placenta (afterbirth) to successfully treat Parkinson's for 18 years! That's about how long actor Michael J. Fox (known in the early '80s as Alex P. Keaton on the hit show Family Ties) has been living with the illness.

Since Mr. Fox is an advocate for stem cell treatment, it surprises me that he hasn't taken advantage of treatments offered in other countries. Maybe he doesn't know the treatment is available. But it is, and ISCI founder Rita Alexander is a first-hand witness of the results seen in patients who have been treated for cancer, cerebral palsy, dermatomyositis, diabetes, hepatitis C, HIV, immune deficiency, kidney disorders, multiple sclerosis, migraines, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson's, retinitis pigmentosa, rheumatoid arthritis, spina bifida, and stroke. Rita has personally received several treatments to relieve the debilitating effect of rheumatoid arthritis.

James Devlin is a resident of Hawaii, but his paradise became a nightmare 15 years ago when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Unwilling to accept the reality of continual mental and physical decline, he sought answers around the world to stop the disease from taking over his brain and his life. His symptoms were the standard Parkinson's package including stiff muscles, decreased dexterity and coordination, insomnia, memory loss, confusion, and tremors in his arms which made it difficult for him to feed himself. Normal daily activities such as dressing, eating, and writing became increasingly challenging. James was prescribed a long list of medications to manage the increasing number of symptoms. Two and a half years ago, he found the road to recovery from PD at the International Stem Cell Institute (ISCI).

When Rita first met Mr. Devlin, he was very stiff and rigid, battling constant tremors as he made his way through the airport. When he returned to the clinic six months after his first placental stem cell treatment, his body was relaxed, he walked with ease, the excessive tremors were gone, and a big smile replaced the vacant facial expression he had just a few months before. After several additional stem cell treatments, James Devlin has been able to eliminate all Parkinson's medication and spends his days surfing in paradise. At 67 years old, he enjoys a 75 percent recovery.

Unfortunately, not everyone is physically and financially able to travel to Mexico. That is why Rita Alexander started ISCI in April 2008. She wishes many more people who are suffering with Parkinson's disease knew there were stem cell treatments that could change the course of their lives. ISCI assists with patient education, pre- and post-treatment support, travel logistics, and financial matters regarding treatment. Her goal is to help people access treatment that is already available and to bring the treatment to the U.S.

For more information about ISCI or to arrange a consultation or schedule an appointment, please visit http://www.iStemCelli.com or contactRita Alexander, Executive Director at International Stem Cell Institute, at 800-609-7795.