The Benefits And Risks Of Self Funding Your Employee Health Benefit Plan

What Is Self Funding?

An employer who operates a self funded health plan assumes the financial risk for providing health care benefits for its employees. Self funded plans differ from fully insured plans in that employers do not pay monthly premiums for health care that employees might be given, the employers, rather, pay only those claims that employees actually receive.

To limit their liability most employers purchase stop-loss insurance. The stop-loss insurer agrees to reimburse the employer for health care costs that reach a certain threshold (usually $25,000-$100,000) in exchange for premium payments. Generally, the lower the threshold amount the higher the premium.

For example, assume a stop-loss threshold set at $25,000. The employer will pay employee health care claims up to and exceeding $25,000. However, the employer will be reimbursed for those paid claims over and above $25,000. The stop-loss insurer does, however, put annual and lifetime limits on coverage and will adjust premium costs accordingly. The higher the annual and lifetime max the more premium will be demanded.

The employer's money may solely be used to pay claims or, alternately, it may be a shared expense with employees making some contribution. The money is typically placed in a trust account that is then debited to pay claims as they are incurred.

What Are the Benefits of Self Funding?

Typically, employers automatically save money in the first 12 months while self-funding. This occurs because claims payments are not processed until the second or third month. In the first year, employers have 12 months worth of money set aside to pay claims but they will only be paying 10 or 11 months worth of claims because of the time lag.

Employers also experience savings on direct costs that are included in fully insured medical insurance premiums such as overhead, taxes, profits and commissions. Most self funded plans use a third party administrator ("TPA") to process and pay medical claims. Most TPA's administration costs are significantly lower than those included in the premium by an insurer or HMO. And the premiums paid to a stop-loss insurer are usually much lower than those paid to an insurer for a fully insured plan.

Self funded employers also save on premium taxes that they would ordinarily pay if fully insured as they merely hold money in trust to pay for health claims. Self funded plans are not required to pay to the 2-3% premium taxes applicable to fully insured plans.

Mandatory benefits imposed by state law are also not applicable to most self funded plans, as federal law governs regulations of most self funded plans. These state mandated benefits are oftentimes expensive and cutting them out removes added expense.

Self funding provides employers the flexibility to design their health benefit plans. And they have greater control of the distribution of benefits as compared to a fully insured plan. In a self funded plan, employers have access to the money in the claims fund that is being used to pay current claims. This money produces interest income that can be added to the fund that would not otherwise exist in a fully insured plan.

What Are The Risks of Self Funding?

Despite these important benefits there are several risks that must be considered before the decision to self fund is made. The biggest issue in self-funding is the potential financial exposure.

Catastrophic events and high utilization by employees can lead to exorbitant claims costs. This can mitigated, as discussed above, by purchasing stop-loss insurance. But proper analysis of your company's potential risk is essential when trying to determine the attachment points for stop-loss coverage.

Your company also must be aware of potential legal exposure. As a self funded plan you remain ultimately liable for claims decisions errors. In addition, labor relations problems could arise with employees in event that employee medical claims are paid late and this could lead to unrest, job dissatisfaction or a decrease in productivity. Both of these risks make choosing a qualified, competent TPA absolutely essential.

Finally, there are many legal complexities that impact self funded plans. Most self funded plans are regulated by the Department of Labor and are subject to federal law, specifically the Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA"). And there are several important tax law considerations that must be accounted for as well. Developing a relationship with an ERISA attorney well versed in self funding can save you time, money, and the headache of employee lawsuits.

Is Self Funding Right For Your Company?

In general, the decision whether to self fund is much easier for those employers with more than 200 employees. In fact, self funding is not widespread among small employers, only 12% of those with just 3 to 199 employees self fund their health plans, according to the 2007 Kaiser Family Foundation Survey of Employer Health Plans. The more employees you have the easier it is spread the risk. Medical claims tend to be quite volatile and smaller employers oftentimes cannot maintain the cash-flow necessary to fund those months where costs are excessive.

To determine whether self funding is the right option for your company, you should perform a risk analysis and cash-flow analysis, then examine employee demographics and covered dependents. You should also review the claims history of your company. You must know the age and distribution of the claims submitted by your employers in order to determine the risk that you will be accepting by self funding.

With this information you will have an idea about the general age of your employees and be able to identify what their aggregate health claims reveal. For example, if your employee population is older the data may reveal expensive conditions of age such as heart disease or cancer. Or perhaps your employees are disproportionately overweight, then you may see more diabetes claims or at least be put on notice that these types of claims are likely. On the other hand, if your employees are young they may have very little utilization but may be susceptible to sport injuries. At this point, you must review utilization rates for the last 3 to 5 years.

With this data in hand you should be able to determine whether you can reasonably afford self funding. Be realistic, however, about your company's cash-flow. Claims do not arrive in an orderly fashion over a 12 month calendar period. Some months are more expensive than others. You cannot postpone claims payments you must have adequate cash-flow and enough reserves to immediately pay claims. The assistance of a qualified TPA, insurance broker, and/or ERISA attorney is essential at this point and a competent professional will be able to assist you to determine whether self funding is a viable option.

What Impact Will ERISA & Other Laws Have On Your Self Funded Plan?

Most self funded plans are subject to ERISA and the comprehensive bundle of regulations associated with this statutory scheme. ERISA, however, preempts state insurance laws including reserve requirements, mandated benefits, premium taxes, and consumer protection regulations. Self funding provides more freedom to create plans free from state mandates, which can result in substantial savings versus fully insured plans.

However, in addition to ERISA there are other federal laws that definitely impact your self funded plan including:

1. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA");

2. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act ("COBRA");

3. Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA");

4. Pregnancy Discrimination Act;

5. Age Discrimination in Employment Act;

6. Civil Rights Act;

7. Internal Revenue Code ("IRC");

8. Tax Equity & Fiscal Responsibility Act;

9. Deficit Reduction Act; and

10. Economic Recovery Tax Act.

While this is no inconsequential list, a good TPA will be able to handle the administration and compliance with the most onerous of the statutes listed above including ERISA, HIPAA, and COBRA. However, be aware that while TPAs will provide compliance service they may not accept liability for violations of these laws (other than for gross negligence), which will rest squarely on the shoulders of you the employer.

Who Will Administer Your Self Funded Plan?

As you can see, choosing the right TPA is one of the most important if not the most important decision when deciding to self fund. A TPA can help with the cash-flow analysis and risk analysis and can administer much of the compliance requirements of a self funded plan.

Here are 10 steps to take when seeking a qualified TPA:

1. Look for a TPA that is capable of providing a customized health plan specific to your company's needs;

a. Your chosen TPA should be flexible enough to create a plan that fits your demographics. Working with your TPA to customize coverage will cut costs and improve employees' satisfaction with the benefits provided.

2. Check references from some of the TPA's larger clients.

a. Ask for a list of the TPA's larger clients then contact the clients to independently verify the client's satisfaction with the TPA.

3. Make sure that the TPA uses and provides accurate legal information.

a. Look for a TPA that is communicative and up to date on changing regulations. It is essential that your TPA maintains a close relationship or employs an ERISA attorney due to the complexity and interplay of federal ERISA and state insurance regulation.

4. Understand how a provider (physician/hospital) network (PPO) figures into the equation.

a. TPA's oftentimes have relationships with provider networks and can negotiate on your behalf.

5. Investigate how the TPA manages your funds.

a. ERISA requires self funded plans to prudently safeguard their assets. While not required by law, TPAs generally recommend that employers set up a trust account for their plans. This step fulfills the prudence requirement of ERISA. Many TPAs also offer client audit reports to verify that their financial practices prevent fraud and abuse.

6. Ask whether the TPA processes COBRA and HIPAA documentation.

a. COBRA and HIPAA, two federal laws, have several notification and compliance aspects that most TPAs will happily administer for you. Just ensure that your contract states that the TPA will be liable for COBRA and HIPAA administration errors and that the TPAs errors and omissions policy covers COBRA and HIPAA errors.

7. Learn all you can about the TPA's cost-containment programs.

a. Ask how the TPA handles pre-authorizations, large case management, utilization review, and provider network evaluations.

b. Also determine how the TPA manages catastrophic claims. A good TPA is usually proactive: Detecting catastrophic claims early allows the TPA to reduce your costs without diminishing quality of care.

8. Find out how the TPA trains its claims analysts.

a. In addition to finding out how analysts are trained, inquiring about turnover rate is good idea as well.

9. Make sure that the TPA practices good management reporting.

a. Your chosen TPA should make available periodic reports explaining plan status. Reports should detail finances, number of employees served, medical costs, use of medical services, and savings realized from network providers.

b. These reports are invaluable and will provide you with the information you need to decide which services to add and whether you need to increase or decrease contributions from employees and put you on notice regarding other necessary changes or alterations.

10. Review bids from stop-loss insurance providers.

a. After you have chosen your TPA, it can contract for stop-loss insurance on your behalf. Be cognizant, however, that self funded plans are required by ERISA to obtain several bids.

b. Ensure that you are able to easily review the bids and make sure that you do some due diligence checking on the stop-loss carrier. You may not want to deal with a new company that is unfamiliar with the business and is inexperienced.

c. Lastly, ask your TPA their procedure when renewing or changing stop-loss carriers. A good TPA is aware and will put you on notice that the renewal procedures and claims definitions are often complex. These complexities are purposefully drafted by the stop-loss carrier to avoid claims liability.

d. A quality TPA will ensure that you are made aware of these complexities and will make sure that you are not left holding the bag with thousands of dollars of unpaid claims.

Conclusion

For those employers who have the size and available cash-flow, a self funded health plan can result in substantial medical claims savings. A self funded plan offers the flexibility to design customized benefit plans and provides much more control over plan benefits than the typical fully insured medical plan.

However, there are numerous risks and potential pitfalls including legal and compliance hazards, human resource and employee relation headaches, and potential liability for mishandling claims. Most large companies find that these risks can successfully mitigated with the help of a qualified, competent TPA.

Implementing a self funded health plan is not to be undertaken lightly, but failing to do so may mean wasting thousands of dollars every year on fully insured premiums. Performing the cash-flow analysis and risk analysis detailed above will give you a good idea whether your company is ready to self fund. At that point if you believe self funding is a viable option, contact a qualified TPA or ERISA attorney and with the assistance of a competent professional you can design a self funded plan that not only meets the needs of your employees but also bolsters your bottom line.

QUESTIONS?

If you have questions about self funding, finding a quality TPA or any health plan related question, please contact me. My email address is Jon@SelfFundedInsurance.com.

When deciding whether to choose a self funded insurance [http://www.selffundedinsurance.com] plan for your employees make sure you have an expert employee benefits and ERISA attorney familiar with self funded health insurance [http://www.selffundedinsurance.com] and third party administrators. Contact me today!

Benefits Of Healthy Love Relationships

Some people say that love is the answer to everything. During bad times and good times, in sickness or in times of good health, love keeps you in sync with your true self. But did you know that love can also fill you with positive energy and help you to maintain good health? True love is like a natural medicine that redeems you from the pain of living.

Natural stress-reliever: Love is extremely effective in reducing your stress levels. When one is in love and also involved in an intimate relationship, the adrenaline glands produce a hormone called dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which minimizes a person's stress levels. Passionate love making relieves one from mental tension, negative energy, and also keeps us fit. Sex can help you to burn fat and maintain your cardiovascular health.

Reduction of pain: Love has been proven beneficial in reducing pain as it activates the part of the brain which handles pain in our body. Headaches, back pain or any kind of pain can be extracted away by love. The next time pain overcomes you, you know what to do.

Increase in blood circulation: Do you remember why your cheeks used to turn red when you talked to your crush in high school or had your first kiss? It was because happiness and the feeling of love increase our blood circulation. Similarly, when you are in a healthy love relationship your circulation will improve, resulting in glowing skin, better hair, and a happier you.

Increase in life expectancy: It has been proven in a study that the average single person is five times more likely to die at an early age, as compared to the average married person. It is because married couples feel connected, loved, and have a sense of belonging, which enhances their health manifolds. Also, when you fall ill and you know that someone is there to take care of you and love you then you automatically feel motivated to be better. You have the right attitude and support to overcome illnesses.

Decreases blood pressure: One study found that expressing love either verbally or physically reduced cholesterol in the body. When cholesterol is kept at a healthy level, the blood pressure remains in check. This, in turn, allows us to have a healthy and fit heart, thus, making us live longer.

Quicker healing process: When faced with an injury such as a wound, couples have been found to heal faster than single people. This is again because the blood circulation remains under control, allowing an adequate amount of nutrients to heal the wound over time. Single people took twice as long to heal similar wounds.

Forever young: Our body releases an anti-aging hormone when we experience euphoria and contentment. Therefore, couples look young for longer, as compared to singles.

Healthy love relationships benefit us in numerous ways. Therefore, one must try to be happy and also keep their partner happy while in a relationship.

Learn more about healthy love relationships and love relationships benefit

Collateral Benefits - Be Good to Your Mate, It's Good For Your Health!

You're in the middle of a screaming yelling fight with your mate. You can feel your heart racing, your blood pressure rising, and after the fight, even though you smoothed things out, your stomach is still a mess. You think "I can't do this anymore. This is just not good for me!"

Or it's that daily litany of things that irritate you about your relationship, the annoyances you put up with, the little things that grate on your nerves, like his snoring, or her never quite putting away all her stuff. His overly loud laugh when someone says something he thinks he should laugh at even though he doesn't think it's funny, or her forgetting to mail the bills on time. You never quite feel relaxed, you tense up every time he/she does it again, your digestive system suffers and you think "I can't do this anymore. This is just not good for me!"

And you're absolutely right. It isn't good for you. When you feel angry or even very irritated, annoyed, your heart beats more chaotically, your blood vessels may constrict and with that, your heart pumps blood less efficiently throughout your body. Parts of your brain shut down as less blood reaches them, and you're functioning on far less than your full potential. Various chemicals and hormones are released in response to your agitation, contributing to your physical distress and lowering your immune response. All in all, not a pretty picture.

"Well, now what?" you ask, "Leave my mate to preserve my health?" No, of course not, unless your spouse is abusive, which is a whole different subject. But what you can do, is focus your attention more on what you do like about your spouse, what you can appreciate about what he or she brings to the relationship, to the betterment of your life, and less - much less - on what you don't like, on what has little value for you, and frankly annoys you.

So you appreciate that he voices his opinion, and you turn your attention to trying to understand why he has an opinion so radically different from yours, rather than angrily defending your position. You appreciate the inevitable good that will come out of working things through rather than screaming them through.

You appreciate the emotional warmth and comfort of sleeping by his side, and look into solutions for his snoring. You take a step back, and value her spontaneity and easy-going nature which benefits you far more than her untidy habits damage you. You appreciate that he does laugh, even if it's loud. You appreciate how she juggles so many things at once - work, kids, household - and find other ways to manage timely mailing.

Why would you do all this? Because it's not only good for your relationship, it's good for your health. Studies show that when you feel and think appreciation, your heart rate smoothes out, good cardiovascular health is supported, your hormonal balance is improved and your immune system enhanced. Your brain functions at full capacity, firing on all cylinders as it were. And the cascade of chemicals and hormones which flow from an appreciative state of mind all benefit the overall well-being of your physical and emotional self.

Collateral benefits: when you look for what works, for what is positive about your mate and your relationship, not only does your relationship improve dramatically, but your personal health and well-being do as well.

Noelle C. Nelson, Ph.D. is a respected relationship expert, consultant, speaker and author. Her latest book is "Your Man is Wonderful," (Free Press, 2009). For more than a decade, she has helped people live happier, healthier lives through appreciation--at work, at home and in relationships. E-mail: nnelson@dr.noellenelson.com, website: http://www.noellenelson.com

The Health Benefits of An Active Sex Life

Quick quiz: Would you rather run 75 miles or have sex three times per week for a year? Research shows that both activities burn the same number of calories. (7,500, to be exact.)

We often think that something that feels good can't possibly be good for us. Now it's time to think again.

Sex in a loving, intimate relationship has numerous health benefits. In women, for example, the sexual act triggers the release of oxytocin. Oxytocin promotes feelings of affection and triggers that nurturing instinct. In men, sex encourages the flow of testosterone, which strengthens bones and muscles and helps transport DHEA, a hormone that may be important in the function of the body's immune system.

Paul Pearsall, Ph.D., author of Superimmunity, also maintains that sex in a loving relationship helps the immune system by increasing the flow of certain chemicals in the body.

Hugh O'Neill, editor of Men's Health magazine, recently listed some health benefits of sex, as well. Regular sex is regular exercise and has similar benefits, including improved cholesterol levels and increased circulation. Men's Health also reported that men who have sex at least three times each week may have a decreased risk of developing prostate problems.

Sex, like exercise, releases endorphins. Endorphins contribute to the runner's high and diminishes pain levels.

An active sex life may help us live longer, too. Dr. David Weeks, a clinical neuropsychologist at Scotland's Royal Edinburgh Hospital, conducted a study of 3,500 people ranging in age from 18 to 102. Weeks concluded that sex actually slows the aging process.

Sexual therapists remind us that frequent sex is a form of exercise. And feeling secure in a relationship leads to feeling happier, which could lead to greater health--and a younger look.

In fact, these studies indicate that intimacy plays a key role in the health benefits of sex. A promiscuous sexual relationship may actually produce an opposite effect by introducing a sense of anxiety and fear.

In spite of all these health benefits and the sheer pleasure of the act, Americans may still need a boost. At least one-third of American couples report "inhibited sexual desire," according to The Masters and Johnson Institute.

Sex therapists say sex acts on the principal of "use it or lose it." So, for your heart, mind, and soul, the best advice may be to "Just do it!"

Susie Michelle Cortright is the author of several books for women, including Rekindling Your Romance After Kids, and founder of the award-winning Momscape.com, a website designed to help busy women find balance. Visit http://www.momscape.com today and get Susie's *free* courses-by-email "6 Days to Less Stress" and "Rekindling Your Romance After Kids."

The Health and Wellness Benefits of Being In Love

If you are afraid to love, here are some few sensible reasons that might make you change your mind or heart. Years of research have shown that there is a good symbiotic relationship between health and wellness and being madly and hopelessly in love. Studies have proven that married or committed people have fewer doctors' appointment than those people living alone.

One sensible explanation with this is that people under the marriage vows or is beaten by the love bug are more likely to take care of themselves. They are more conscious about their hygiene and they have someone to look out for them. Not being prone to depression or any substance abuse and have less anxiety are also some of the health benefits of love.

Since isolation is one of the greatest influences of being depressed then being with someone truly helps prevent the person from sinking into the dark abyss of desolation. Not only that, it has been proven that being in love is truly good for the heart, literally speaking- happily married women are less likely to have a heart attack compared to their single sisters.

And some more good news to new lovers out there, the more sex you do the better. Men who have sex two or more time a week lessen their risk for cardiac arrest by half. For couples who have a passion for kissing, you'd be glad to know that kissing has its health and wellness benefits, too.

Kissing increases saliva production that can minimize the bacteria that cause gum disease. We have heard a lot of good advantages of a hug, this time it has been proven that hugging can help prolong the life of your partner this is because hugs can lower blood pressure and stimulates the release of oxytocin or the bonding hormone in the body.

If you are afraid to love because of the pain that you will encounter, think again. It has been validated that being inlove strengthens your tolerance in pain and can help you manage your stress appropriately. Actually, it's not at all surprising that the people who are in a loving and happy relationship outlive others who are lonely (not necessarily alone), this goes to show that if you feel good inside the health and wellness benefits follows.

So if you are a person who is very much conscious about health and wellness, learn to love deeply and sincerely. If you want to live longer then learn to love harder.

The author of this article, Ruth Purple, is a Relationship Expert who has been successfully coaching individuals and couples in their relationships. Get a copy of her ebook and become a Male Magnet. Alternatively click here for Amazon's Kindle Edition.

The Health Benefits of Sex

Lose weight. Reduce stress. Lower your cholesterol level. Improve your circulation. Live longer. Stay younger. Sounds like an ad for a new wonder drug right? In fact it's a partial list of the benefits of humanity's oldest and most pleasurable pastime - sex.

Most of us are aware of the feel-good benefits of sex while we're engaged in it, but do you also know that there are benefits which carry on after the sweaty bodies have dried and the sweet talk has reverted to sports? For instance:

Maintaining Ideal Body Weight

There are 3500 calories in a pound of fat. For every 3500 calories you burn (that you do not replace with food!) you will lose one pound of fat. Sexual intercourse burns approximately 150 calories per half hour. Here's how that stacks up against some other activities that may be part of your fitness regime: yoga 114 calories per half hour, dancing - rock 129, walking - 3mph 153, weight training 153, canoeing - 2mph 153, volleyball 174.

According to one survey reported by the Ottawa Citizen, Canadians on average have sex 7.33 times per month, lasting approximately 24.4 minutes. That means that "Joe Canada" is burning off more than 10 thousand calories a year, or about 3 pounds, in a not particularly active sex life. Those who are more sexually active, into Tantra for instance where lovemaking lasts 4 hours, would burn up 600 calories a session. At once a week that's 31,200 calories or 9 pounds per year. Considering that people put weight on gradually, slowly gaining 5-10 pounds per year until they are overweight, it's not unrealistic to assume that regular sexual activity is one way to help maintain a healthy body weight.

Increased Blood Flow

Sex helps increase the blood flow to your brain and to all other organs of your body. Increased heart rate and deep breathing accounts for the improvement in circulation. As fresh blood supply arrives, your cells, organs and muscles are saturated with fresh oxygen and hormones, and as the used blood is removed, you also remove waste products that cause fatigue and even illness.

Lower Cholesterol

Lowering your cholesterol is another of the "sex as exercise" benefits. Sex helps lower the overall cholesterol level. Perhaps more importantly it tips the HDL/LDL (good/bad) cholesterol balance towards the healthier HDL side.

Stress Reduction, Relaxation and Improved Sleep

People having frequent sex often report that they handle stress better, so the normal stresses of living do not become distress. The profound relaxation that typically follows lovemaking, with orgasm for women and ejaculation and/or orgasm for men, may be one of the few times people actually allow themselves to completely let go, surrender and relax. Many indicate that they sleep more deeply and restfully after satisfying lovemaking. In the relaxing afterglow you may be able to let go of distracting thoughts. Being able to stop thinking has helped many to overcome insomnia.

Sex as Pain Reliever

Through the touch magic of sex the hormone oxytocin is secreted in your body which in turn causes the release of endorphins. Because of these natural opiates sex acts as a powerful analgesic, elevating the pain threshold and helping to relieve the aches of conditions like arthritis, whiplash and headaches. Now there's a novel approach, sex as a remedy for headache rather than an excuse for abstaining!

With arousal and orgasm oxytocin levels rise. They spike 3 to 5 times higher than usual just before orgasm. In fact it is oxytocin that triggers the orgasm. Measurements performed at the Masters and Johnson laboratories have shown that the uterine contractions brought about by orgasm (triggered by oxytocin) are just as powerful as those of child labor. Women can use this extraordinary orgasmic contraction and relaxation of the uterine muscle to relieve cramps during PMS and menstruation.

Live Longer, Stay Younger

A British study of 1,000 men found those who had at least two orgasms a week had half the death rate of their countrymen who indulge less than once a month.

The hormone DHEA promotes sexual excitement and increases in response to it. Dr Theresa Crenshaw author of The Alchemy of Love and Lust says DHEA may be the most powerful chemical in our personal world. It helps balance the immune system, improves cognition, promotes bone growth, and maintains and repairs tissues, keeping your skin healthy and supple. It may also contribute to cardiovascular health and even function as antidepressant.

Prostate and Genital Health

Some doctors believe that more than 75% of men over 50 have a somewhat enlarged prostate, and that virtually all men will suffer from prostate enlargement if they live long enough. This condition, called benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH), is normal and usually not dangerous. Unfortunately, some of these men develop prostate cancer, one of the leading causes of death in older men. Regular sexual intercourse with frequent ejaculations will help to keep the prostate healthy.

For those men who practice delaying ejaculation, for example in the practice of Tantra Sacred Sex, performing Kegel exercises (in which you contract the muscles around your genitals), will tone these muscles, just as exercising other muscles tones other areas of your body. More importantly, these exercises will help keep the prostate healthy, by moving the sexual energy up out of the prostate and circulating it throughout your body. The technique is very simple and you can perform hundreds of contractions per day for top sexual/physical fitness for both men and women. Imagine you are urinating, but want to stop the flow of urine, that's all there is to it.

Contracting your muscles in this way is one of the healthiest exercises you could add to your exercise regime. When 178 Belgian men with minor erection problems participated in a 4-month daily rehabilitation program which primarily focused on Kegel exercises, 74 percent showed improvement and 43 percent were cured. For women, Kegels strengthen the entire urogenital tract, aiding greatly in childbirth and preventing the onset of incontinence in later life. They also sensitize the genital tissues, helping women to become orgasmic and/or increase the intensity of their orgasms

Boost Testosterone and Estrogen

Regular sexual activity boosts testosterone and estrogen levels in both men and women. Besides boosting your libido testosterone fortifies bones and muscles. Some physicians suggest that testosterone keeps hearts healthy and good cholesterol high. Testosterone is what makes the sex drive in men and women more aggressive. It makes you want to have sex, pursue sex, initiate sex and perhaps dominate the lovemaking. Testosterone seems to motivate both men and women to strongly desire specific genital sex and release by orgasm. Because men have so much testosterone, they seem obsessed with genitals, intercourse and ejaculation, but appear to care less for romance and foreplay-touching, hugging, cuddling, eye gazing, etc.

Sex increases women's estrogen levels keeping vaginal tissues more supple and also protecting against heart disease. It is estrogen that makes a woman sexually receptive and responsive to a man's approach. It is estrogen that makes her want to be touched and feel romantic, it is testosterone that makes her want to be penetrated. Estrogen makes a woman soft-breasts develop in response to estrogen. Estrogen is a powerful influence on how a woman smells. It influences the degree to which she projects softness, openness, and interest in sexual touching.

Men's bodies also produce estrogen. In fact testosterone can be converted into estrogen in the man's body. Some estrogen helps a man to develop the softer, more nurturing feminine sides of their personalities. As men age, the testosterone/estrogen balance begins to shift, with testosterone decreasing and estrogen increasing, and this is one reason why so many men seem to mellow out as they get older.

The Healing Power of Intimacy

Sex is good for you, but sex with love is even better. According to Dr. Dean Ornish author of 'Love and Survival: the Scientific Basis for the Healing Power of Intimacy', "an open heart can lead to the most joyful and ecstatic sex". His researches into intimacy and its effects on health have shown that "anything that promotes feelings of love and intimacy is healing". If you have someone who really cares for you and for whom you care in return, someone you are intimately connected with in all ways - emotional, physical and more -- then you may be three to five times less likely at risk of premature death and disease from all causes.

Part of this has to do with the positive effects of touch, what Dr. Crenshaw refers to as Vitamin T. The chemical composition of your body is changed by touch. Caressing, hugging, stroking, cuddling send a chain reaction of chemicals to signal your brain that this is pleasurable, nurturing, good.

There is strong scientific evidence demonstrating the importance of touch to good health. In the 1930s, Dr. Rene Spitz, attending physician at a number of nurseries, noticed that the illness and mortality rates were quite a bit higher in some of the nurseries. His observations and experiments led to the finding that the children who were becoming ill and dying had nothing to do with hygiene or nutrition, but rather had to do with the amount of touching the infants received from the attending staff. He confirmed his findings by hiring "grandmothers" to come into the nurseries to hold, fondle, and cuddle the children. The illness and mortality rates declined rapidly.

Researchers at Miami's Touch Research Institute (TRI) found that premature infants who received three massages a day over 10 days gained 47 percent more weight than preemies who weren't massaged. David Sebringsil, who writes regularly for The Society For Human Sexuality (one of the best online sources of excellent, sex-positive information), recommends Erotic Massage become a part of or alternative to regular lovemaking. It is one of the best ways to help someone achieve extended, multiple, or "whole body" orgasmic states. Through erotic massage partners learn to give and receive loving touch and extraordinary pleasure. It makes you healthier and happier.

Healthy blood, healthy bones, healthy heart, healthy body and a peaceful mind - all thanks to the healing powers of sex. Next time you're in the mood let her know you've got the doctor on your side!

Al Link and Pala Copeland own and operate 4 Freedoms Relationship Tantra. They regularly host Tantra Sacred Loving weekends near Ottawa Canada, and weeklong retreats in exotic locations around the planet. For more information call toll free from Canada or USA: 1-800-684-5308 International long distance: 1-819-689-5308. Visit their website http://www.tantra-sex.com/ or send email: 4freedoms@tantraloving.com Their book, Soul Sex: Tantra for Two, is published by New Page Books, 2003.

Benefits of Maintaining the Healthy Relationship

Strong positive relationships are essential to achieving our success. We are in almost constant contact with others and we should make every contact an opportunity to strengthen our social skills and reinforce our relationships. We can benefit a lots from healthy long-term relationship.

Healthy relationships are fun and make you feel good about yourself. You can have a healthy relationship with anyone in your life, including your family, friends and dating partners. The relationships that you make in your teen years will be a special part of your life and will teach you some of the most important lessons about who you are.

Healthy relationships are essential to our happiness and emotional health. They also have a positive effect on our physical health. It will influence everything from heart health to age-related health issues. Maintaining healthy relationships is not easy but it can be done.

In healthy relationship, we trust each other. Once we experience trust with others, we can be honest about our weaknesses and shortcomings because we know that we will be accepted for who we are, without judgment or criticism.

If you maintain a healthy relationship, you can get support from your partners. Our lives go through many changes and difficulties. In either case, they often make us uncomfortable and challenge us to grow and become more than we were before. Healthy relationships give us the support and encouragement we need to rise to new and different challenges.

Having someone who are willing to listen silently when you are feeling down or frustrated and want to 'vent' gives you the freedom to express yourself. Sometimes you just need to get something off your chest without feeling like you have to watch every word you say.

Individuals in long-term relationships have a history of shared experiences that build a mutual understanding so they 'get you' without a lot of explanation.

If you have a healthy relationship, there is always someone to call on when you need a hand. Everyone, from time to time, needs a hand from a friend, colleague, peer, or family member. This can be in the form of advice, a new job, or assistance with a particular project in which you need to call on another peoples' expertise.

Sharing your life with friends who you trust, who accept, understand and support you reduces stress because you have camaraderie and, therefore, less potential for interpersonal conflicts. Good relationships bring about the best in work teams and families by reducing the anxieties that cause stress and, at the same time, good relationships cultivate a sense of well-being and emotional security.

Having good relationships mean that there is a mutual like for one another. Being around people you like and who like you create situations that are harmonious, supportive, and well, happy. You have an overall feeling of satisfaction in your life.

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Chinese Herbs In Western View - Niu Bang Zi (Fructus Arctii Lappae) health Benefits and Side Effects

Posted: Jun 10, 2012 |Comments: 0 |

Niu Bang Zi is also known as great burdock fruit seed. The acrid bitter and cold herb has been used in TCM as antibiotic, antipyretic, anti tumor agent and to lower blood sugar and treat? influenza, swelling and pain of the throat, acute or chronic inflammation of the throat, tonsillitis, bronchitis, breast tumor, etc., as it disperses and drains Wind-Heat, expels toxins, promotes the eruption of exanthema, resolves edema, moves Qi, etc., by enhancing the functions of lung and stomach channels.

Ingredients
1. Phenylpropanoids
2. Terthienyl and gaiacol
3. Eremophilene
4. Fukinone
5. Petasitolone
6. β-eudesmol
7. α-amyrin
8. β-amyrin
9. Lupeol
10. Taraxasterol
11. β-sitosterol
12. β--daucosterol
13. Taraxasterol
14. Etc.

Health Benefits
1. The antitussive activity?
In the study to investigate polysaccacharide influence on experimentally induced cough, showed that that the tested polysaccharides exhibited statistically significant cough-suppressing activity, which was noticeably higher than that of the non-narcotic drug used in clinical practice to treat coughing. The most expressive antitussive activity was observed with the polysaccharide from marsh mallow, containing the highest proportion of the uronic acid constituent. Negative influence of the tested compounds on expectoration was negligible when compared to that of codeine(1).

2. Gastroprotective effects
In the study to evaluate the effect and the possible mechanisms involved in the gastroprotective effects of a chloroform extract (CE) of the roots from A. lappa and its fractionsshow that the CE protects animals from gastric lesions by reducing gastric acid secretion via inhibition of gastric H+, K+ -ATPase(2).

3. Sexual enhancer
In the Oral administration of Arctium lappa L. roots extract at 600 and 1,200 mg/kg body weight significantly increased the frequencies of mount, intromission, and ejaculation frequency (p < 0.05), found that aqueous extract of Arctium lappa L. roots enhances sexual behavior in male rats. The aphrodisiac effects of the plant extract may be related to the presence of flavonoids, saponins, lignans and alkaloids, acting via a multitude of central and peripheral mechanisms. These results thus support the traditional use of Arctium lappa L. root extract for treating impotence and sterility(3).

4. Anti Cancers
In the study to? identify of non-toxic chemotherapeutics from herbal medicines remains to be an attractive goal to advance cancer treatments, showed that? purification of the selective cytotoxicity in the extract of Arctium lappa L. resulted in the identification of arctigenin as tumor specific agent that showed cytotoxicity to lung cancer (A549), liver cancer (HepG2) and stomach cancer (KATO III) cells, while no cytotoxicity to several normal cell lines. Arctigenin specifically inhibited the proliferation of cancer cells, which might consequently lead to the induction of apoptosis(4).

5. Anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects
In the study to examine the effect of ALBE on the release of β-hexosaminidase in antigen-stimulated-RBL-2H3 cells. We also evaluated the ConA-induced expression of IL-4, IL-5, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and nuclear factor (NF)-κB using RT-PCR, Western blotting, and ELISA in mouse splenocytes after ALBE treatment, suggest that ALBE inhibits the expression of IL-4 and IL-5 by downregulating MAPKs and NF-κB activation in ConA-treated splenocytes and supports the hypothesis that ALBE may have beneficial effects in the treatment of allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis(5).

6. Etc.

Side Effects
1. Not to use the herb in case of? chicken pox, small pox,??qi deficiency?and diarrhea.
2. Do not use the herb in newborn. children or if you are pregnant or breast feeding without first consulting with the related field specialist.
3. Etc.

For other Chinese herbs in western view, visit http://chineseherbsinnutrientsperspective.blogspot.com/2011/10/chinese-herbs-in-western-view-health.html

For other health researches, visit http://medicaladvisorjournals.blogspot.ca???

Sources can be found at http://medicaladvisorjournals.blogspot.ca/2012/06/chinese-herbs-in-western-view-niu-bang.html

Kyle J. Norton - About the Author:

I have been studying natural remedies for disease prevention for over 20 years and working as a financial consultant since 1990. Health Researcher and Article Writer. Master in Mathematics and BA in World Literature and Literary criticism

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