Archive for August, 2010

How to Fight Depression Naturally

In the last few years, the rates of depression in both men and women are on the increase and many sufferers use anti-depressants to fight this condition. What you may not know is that by following a few simple dietary recommendations you can reduce the chances of depression. Diet plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of depression and stress. According to scientists there are certain foods that improve our mental health, due to the fact that they promote the synthesis of serotonin, the hormone associated with good mood. It is no coincidence that the effect of several antidepressants is actually based on the production of serotonin.

To fight depression you should consume the following foods:

  • Foods rich in folic acid (spinach), selenium-rich foods (seafood) and zinc-rich foods (such as shellfish, pumpkin seeds, mushrooms, soy and organic meats).
  • Plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and soybeans.
  • Complex carbohydrates, like brown rice. The absence of complex carbohydrates from your daily meals can cause serotonin depletion of the body’s reserves and lead to depression.
  • Protein and essential fatty acids contained in salmon and white fish. Salmon and turkey are also high in tryptophan, which is a substance that can help you improve your mood. Other foods high in tryptophan include low-fat milk, beef, lamb, pork, cheese, pumpkin seeds, poultry, peanuts, cashew nuts, beans, and eggs.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids that are found in mackerel, salmon, tuna, anchovies and herring. These fatty acids are particularly important.

Recently, a group of scientists led by Andrew Stoll, from the McLean Hospital, showed that the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids by patients that suffer from this condition, significantly reduced the frequency and intensity of their attacks. However, other studies suggest that the most important factor in the treatment of depression may not be only the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, but the proper ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The modern way of eating, contributes to the high intake of omega-6 acids, which disrupts the proper ratio.

What to avoid

  1. Supplements that contain the amino acid phenylalanine, which is a highly allergenic factor. This means that you should avoid artificial sweeteners like aspartame.
  2. Foods high in saturated fats. It seems that the consumption of meat or fried foods such as hamburgers and fries, leads to sluggishness and fatigue.
  3. Concentrated sugars. The body reacts more quickly to the presence of simple sugars than to complex carbohydrates. The energy derived from the consumption of sweets does not last and the ups and downs of blood sugar affect the brain in the long run, causing you fatigue and depression.
  4. Alcohol: it should be consumed with caution, because it can cause depression and exacerbate mental health problems.

3 Natural Remedies to Healing Hemorrhoids

The best way to healing hemorrhoids is by using natural remedies to combat the symptoms. In many cases doing it this way has actually given better results than what you would find with topical creams and ointments.

Here are 3 natural remedies that you can use to soothe the symptoms.

Fiber

Increasing fiber in your diet is perhaps one of the most important and simple methods that you can do to relieve the symptoms of hemorrhoids. It softens the stool and helps to reduce straining bowels which is one of the very common reasons to why hemorrhoids flare up. Other benefits include reduced pain and itching, and less complications with a high fiber diet.

For some people it may mean switching to a totally new lifestyle which means controlling bad eating habits and reducing the amount of junk food. Whole grain wheat, fruits with the skin on them and vegetables are a good source of fiber. You may also take psyllium or ground flaxseeds as other alternatives. As always don’t forget to wash it down with lots of water.

Bioflavonoid

This is a plant compound that helps to decrease inflammation, anal discomfort, and anal discharges. Side effects or reactions are typically rare, and are also a great for hemorrhoids during pregnancy.

Daflon which is made with citrus bioflavonoid is also beneficial during pregnancy and has been shown to improve hemorrhoidal symptoms in a matter of days.

Butcher’s Broom

This particular remedy was often used for hemorrhoids and varicose veins. It’s said that the extract of butcher’s broom has properties that work as an anti-inflammatory and helps to tighten and shrink swollen tissue.

You can take it orally in capsule form or in tea however you may find the taste to be on the bitter side. If this is the case adding a little honey will help to make it go down easier. To make the tea, add one teaspoon in a cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. If you’d like you may also apply it topically as an ointment.

Please consult your physician before taking butcher’s broom as there are certain conditions that may not be suitable with this herb and may cause severe reactions.
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While this article is meant to give you other alternatives to hemorrhoid relief the above information should not be a substitute for medical advice. Decisions and actions are the choice of the individual. However please consult a medical professional before undergoing any procedure.

Treat Arthritis Naturally

Arthritis is not one single disease but consists of more than 100 different diseases that cause pain, inflammation, stiffness and functional problems in one or more joints.

There is reason to believe that our nutrition can have a positive effect on this condition. For example, patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis would benefit from adding fat from fish in their diet and patients with gout should avoid alcohol and foods rich in protein. There are even some indications that arthritis may be caused by some kind of food allergy.

Just take a look at a few tips to fight arthritis:

You need to have a balanced diet and avoid crash diets or fasts. The calcium intake should be increased, in order to prevent the development of osteoporosis later in life.

You need to drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol.

Your weight must be maintained within normal levels. Obesity worsens the symptoms of arthritis and the joints affected by arthritis suffer more when you have excessive body weight, because of the burden on the joints. Also, excessive body weight increases the risk of osteoarthritis. Increased physical activity and exercise can help in weight loss, but the patients may find it hard to exercise due to the pain or other functional limitations in the joints. For this reason, usually the method of weight reduction in these patients is a diet rich in nutrients, but low in calories.

You need to consume a lot of fish containing omega-3 fatty acids to reduce the inflammatory reactions caused by your immune system. Patients who eat fish one or two times a week can take advantage of the beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids. Also several studies have shown that eating fish at this frequency can be effective in preventing other diseases such as asthma and prostate cancer.

If you notice that a particular food aggravates the situation, then you should keep a food diary in order to see whether this happens regularly or randomly. However, you should not impose restrictions for a whole food category without consulting the doctor. The development of the disease may accidentally coincide with a change in your diet, which does not necessarily mean that a specific food is responsible for the improvement or the worsening of arthritis.

You need to include healthy fats in your diet: Diets very low fat are not recommended in cases of rheumatoid arthritis, since they can result in reduced levels of vitamin A and E in the blood and exacerbate the condition. Instead of reducing the fats in your diet, it would be better to eat only healthy fats.

Natural Or Conventional Treatments For Asthma?

Asthma is a medical condition which affects the respiratory system, gradually causing general problems in breathing which can be both very distressing and sometimes dangerous.

Inflammation in the bronchial tubes of the lungs, and tight contractions of the muscles surrounding them, are the known effects of asthma. With each muscle contraction, mucus is produced in the respiratory tract. The condition worsens and deteriorates as a result of the consequent narrowing of the air passages.

Many people who are affected with chronic bronchitis or asthma, eventually develop asthmatic bronchitis. This occurs when the respiratory condition becomes more severe over time, eventually causing permanent obstruction of the respiratory tract.

People who have asthmatic bronchitis have the symptoms of chronic bronchitis. Any previous treatments of asthma become no longer effective at clearing the airways that are blocked with mucus. Asthmatic bronchitis is a common respiratory condition, which is one type of lung condition among chronic pulmonary diseases. It generally causes inflammation and a sense of irritation in the respiratory tract. The mucous membrane, bronchial tubes and other organs which are involved in the process of breathing become inflamed due to exposure to irritants such as pollen, dust, chemicals or infections from viruses.

The respiratory tract contains many natural defenses against irritants but in some circumstances, external agents can break through these blocks.
Conventional or Natural Cures For Asthma?

The conventional approach

There are two types of conventional treatment for asthma. The first one is the treatment which deals with asthma attacks, where bronchodilator medicines are used to dilate the bronchioles which help to ease up the air flow. For the second type of conventional treatment steroids are used to cure asthma. Alternatively you can use natural asthma relief.

Natural remedies for asthma include:
Omega Fatty Acids: These acids play an important role in the reduction of arachidonic acid, which is a fat that is responsible for the inflammation of asthma. The important omega-3 fatty acids that are used for this treatment are eicosapentaenoic acid ( or EPA) and docosahexaenoic (or DHA). These acids are available in drug stores in the form of capsules.
Fruits and Vegetables: Research studies show that the intake of fruits and vegetables decreases the risk of adults and children being affected by asthma. To keep the risk of asthma low a daily consumption of carrots, tomatoes and leafy, green vegetables are recommended.
Garlic is known to be an excellent natural remedy, especially after boiling it with milk. Ginger tea as well as garlic is also used to treat asthma. Additionally, turmeric powder mixed with milk is also considered to be an effective treatment.
Buteyko: This is a breathing technique which was developed by Konstantin Pavlovich Buteyko from Russia. It involves shallow breathing exercises and the objective of using this technique is the generation of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide helps to ease the smooth muscles that are present in the respiratory system.

Other popular natural remedies include the use of aromatherapy, steam inhalation, acupuncture and a drink of milk and honey at bedtime.

Top Herbal Remedies For Gout

Herbal remedies for gout are promising treatments that can reduce the severity of the symptoms of this condition. Gout is always accompanied by pain. This is an arthritic kind of disease caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the tissues and joints of the body.

The accumulation of uric acid crystals are caused by too much consumption of foods rich in purines. Meats are high in purine. In the past, this condition is common to rich people because rich people are the only ones who can afford to eat meat every day. The purine in these foods cannot be flushed out of the body effectively. This leads to uric acid build-up in the tissues and joints. As soon as the body recognizes the existence of crystal build-ups in the tissues, white blood cells will begin to “attack” them. This is our own body’s way of recuperating. However, this will just make the condition worse. It makes the area inflamed and painful.

Since antiquity, herbal remedies for gout have been used. You might also want to try the following tested remedies:

1. Cherry Juice – Extract the juice of black cherry. Take 2-3 teaspoons of black cherry every day. But although good experiences were reported because of the use of this treatment, experts still could not discern why this method is effective. Theories said that it helps remove the crystals from the joints and the tissues.

2. Devil’s Claw – This is one of the best herbal remedies for rheumatic or inflammatory problems. It does not only allay severe joint pains, it can also help control uric acid and cholesterol levels. You should take 750 mg of Devil’s Claw pill three times a day.

3. Autumn Crocus – Colchicine is a drug that was first created to treat gout. This came from Autumn Crocus. Before trying out this remedy, you should first consult your physician on how to administer it. This herb can be toxic especially when administered in high dosage.

4. Celery seed – This can help purge out uric acid more effectively. You can try boiling 2 teaspoon of celery seed in a cup and a half of water. Let the water cool down and remove the seeds. Drink the water. Drink this tonic three times a day.

5. Bilberry – This is beneficial because it contains anthocyanidins that can reduce uric acid levels. This can also prevent the fast destruction of your tissues and joints.

Lower Cholesterol Naturally & Safely

Are you among the 25 million people who were prescribed a cholesterol reduction medicine but are scared to use it? Are you among the 20 million using a prescription but constantly battling negative side effects? If so, you are not alone and today may be the day that changes your future. 80 Million people are affected by high cholesterol – now is the time to change that.

Were these stats surprising to you?

  • 80 million people are battling high cholesterol,
  • 1 out of 3 people have high cholesterol
  • 20 million people use prescriptions to lower their cholesterol such as statins
  • 25 million were prescribed a medicine to lower their cholesterol but decline to use it either because they have suffered negative side
  • effects or because they are scared of the side effect.

If so, you are not alone. Research has shown for quite some time that the negative side effects of drugs like statins may range from mild to severe; however, the alternative is more threatening than the side effects.

What are some of the side effects of statins and other drugs?

  • Loss of Memory
  • Liver Damage
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle Problems
  • Diarrhea
  • Joint & Muscle Pains
  • Tendon Problems

The list goes on and on but these are among the top reported. One of the official sites of a well known prescription used to lower cholesterol, states that their site does not list all the side effects and contacted your pharmacist for details.

However, if you are among the 1. 25 million who aren’t using your meds because of side effects 2. the 20 million who are on a prescription for cholesterol but are battling negative side effects or 3. you have high cholesterol (specifically high LDL cholesterol) and want to solution, then you’ll be relieved to know that the National Institute of Health has some excellent news for you.

I’m sure you have seen many products on the market that are naturally healthy for our bodies – more specifically to maintain or even lower our bad cholesterol known as LDL. Some of these products contain plant sterols and stanols like in certain butter spreads. Some cereals contain oats which state they can reduce cholesterol. We have also heard and read thousands of studies on Omega supplements or fish products to maintain a healthy cholesterol level, even to lower cholesterol.

If we are trying to lower our cholesterol merely by eating well and exercise, we may be fighting an uphill battle. Sometimes, it is more difficult than that. Let’s take a closer look at what the NIH recommends. The ideal amount of plant sterols and stanols is 2000mg/day. Any less than that, you aren’t maximizing the effects of the plant sterols and stanols and any more you are leveling out on the benefits.There are over 8000 articles on plant sterols and stanols alone with over 80 human studies.

So how can you eat 2000mg/day:

6.7 cups of soybeans
60 oranges
47.5 cucumbers

So you can quickly see where this may be difficult to just eat the recommended amount. But finding a safe supplement isn’t always easy either. Hang in there, remember we said that there is good news for people to naturally reduce their cholesterol. Well, here it is.

Of course it is still recommended to use a quality multi vitamin ideally with omega (as long as you have no allergies to fish products) along with a healthy diet and exercise.

But it is also recommended to use a supplement that has the follow to lower cholesterol naturally:

MUST HAVE:

1. FDA approved claim that states it “Lowers Cholesterol Naturally”

2. May help reduce the risk of heart disease

3. 100% NIH recommended amount of plant sterols and stanols (2000mg/day)

4. All natural

WOULD LIKE:

5. Wheat and Gluten Free

6. 100% Vegetarian

7. Star K – Kosher

Please note: That you should always consult your physician whenever you make changes that affect your health.

Natural Relief For Anxiety

There are numerous forms of natural anxiety relief besides homeopathy and herbal supplementation. In aromatherapy, for instance, essential oils from plants are used to activate the body’s sense of smell triggering a part of the brain that allows you to feel calm and relaxed. The best way essential oils work is by directly applying them to the skin through the use of a massage or compress. They can also be added to a bath as well.

Hypnotherapy or hypnosis is another form that involves the practice of putting people in a trance-like state making them more susceptible to suggestion. This would be very useful to people who suffer with panic attacks because it would enable them to gain much better control over their own thoughts and feelings when they find themselves in anxious or nervous situations. If hypnosis is successful, the patient has an improved communication between the conscious and unconscious mind. Aided by a hypnotherapist, a patient may be able to reduce stress or anxiety levels and possibly even eliminate all future anxiety attacks.

The practice of mental visualization and/or meditation is a good way to acquire almost instant anxiety relief. If you have ever watched Tiger Woods play golf, you have seen him utilize mental visualization prior to every shot. In fact, mental visualization was one of the first principles his Dad ever taught him before he could barely swing a golf club. His Dad would tell him to “take a picture.” This of course referred to Tiger’s putts on the green. Before each shot, Tiger’s Dad wanted him to mentally “picture” the golf ball going along a certain path into the hole. Now, obviously, I do not think this hurt Tiger’s game one bit. So practice mental visualization no matter what the situation. Take a picture! See yourself achieving success. Allow mental visualization to condition your mind for a clearer vision of a desired outcome and better adapt your body to any physiological changes due to stress and/or anxiety.

Natural relief for anxiety does exist in many forms. Practice or utilize aromatherapy, hypnosis and mental visualization to help tame your anxiety and stress levels. These techniques and/or tips are a great way to release some pent up tension in your body. Finding more natural forms of anxiety relief will be good for your health and help you enjoy life so much better.

Natural Migraine Cure

Seeking a natural migraine cure as a substitute for pricey medicines and remedies? An all-natural migraine cure is really a fine way of migraine treatment with out investing a big volume of cash?

Prior to anything at all else it truly is better to understand much more about migraines. Migraine can be a extremely agonizing headache. Migraines do not choose its victim. Females, man, girls and boys possess a large risk of the incredibly troubling illness. The individual mind has huge arteries which have coiled fibers on it. The moment the substantial vessels with the mind dilate or enlarge the coiled arteries in the human brain extend and then the nerves will launch chemicals. Once the chemicals are released the owner of the body attacked by this illness would really feel extreme ache. If a person suffers from migraines they are advised to keep far from an excessive amount light and loud sound because they are very sensitive to it. Finding the perfect normal migraine cure is recommended.

Improper sleeping time or schedule, an excessive amount anxiety, nervousness or anxiety, an excessive amount sunlight exposure and some modifications from the hormonal patterns for women are some in the reasons why persons could feel this distressing headache. Apart from making use of drugs that are prescribed by doctors, there are some organic migraine cures that they could use to heal it.

Once migraines attack, here are five ideas to supply a pure migraine cure.

1. Have a bath. Getting a bath would prevent the dilation or the enlargement of the blood vessels inside the mind preventing the chemical substances to release and hence avoiding pain.

2. Another one would be to stay in the dark room and lie down there till the pain stops and prevent an excessive amount of coverage to any source of light.

3. Placing a cold compress inside the forehead and behind the neck might also lessen excessive discomfort.

4. You’ll find two types of stress points behind the neck and pressing it for two minutes would halt the soreness. Massaging the impacted area is proven to be a good initial aid or action for migraines.

5. Consume lots of fruits or foods that consists of Vitamin C and B3.

It really is smarter to prevent doing some strenuous activities for instance functioning residence hold chores, running or jogging within the park or somewhere else and exercising or else the pain that the migraine confer will just worsen. It truly is much better to remain house and have a rest. Staying far from any trigger of the anxiety is recommended. If the pain now remains even following applying all of this normal migraine treatment, it can be far better to determine a physician and ask for his or her advice regarding migraines.

Avoid Statins Through Natural Lifestyle Changes

Cholesterol lowering statins have been hailed as miracle drugs and yet medical research has come to the dismal conclusion that they are virtually worthless in preventing heart disease or death from a heart attack, possibly helping 1 out of 100 who take the drug. Those aren’t very good odds when you consider the documented health damaging side effects reported by as many as one-third of statin users.

High Cholesterol Doesn’t Cause Heart Disease

Cholesterol has been an easy target for drug marketers, as it appears logical the waxy substance would be a factor in clogged arteries. Flawed research from decades ago concluded that high cholesterol levels were the cause of coronary artery disease, and even though this has been disproven, it’s still the prominent theory in the minds of most people and too many medical professionals today.

Distribute Statins in Fast Food Restaurants?

The results of a study published in The American Journal of Cardiology suggest that statins should be handed out along with burgers and fries to offset the cholesterol in the food. The study concludes that statins should be considered a supplement and then distributed freely with high cholesterol meals. This is clearly bad medicine, as statins work by blocking the pathway used by the body to synthesize cholesterol, a critical component of all cells, and essential to our good health.

Coenzyme Q10, a necessary catalyst in producing energy within our cells, is created in the body using the same metabolic path as cholesterol. When statins are used to lower total cholesterol, Co Q10 is also diminished leading to the muscle fatigue and weakness experienced by many statin users. Handing out dangerous statins like condiments would precipitate a national health disaster of epic proportions.

Statins Recommended for Children?

The American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending cholesterol screening for high risk children over the age of 2, and statin therapy for children over 8 with an LDL cholesterol level above 190. Cholesterol is an important substance which is required for proper cellular function and development in growing children.

It’s inconceivable to entertain placing children on statin therapy, potentially lasting the rest of their lives. While this may bode well for the bottom line of the pharmaceutical giants, it condemns our youth to a life of muscle pain, liver damage, chronic fatigue and lowered mental performance.

Lifestyle Changes Eliminate the Need for Statins

Medical research has shown that Omega-3 fats from fish and fish oil are more effective at reducing the risk of death from a heart attack than taking a statin. Fish oil lowers triglycerides and oxidized LDL cholesterol, two of the real causes of heart disease for which statins are ineffective.

Slow release niacin is an effective and natural way to increase heart protective levels of HDL cholesterol. Adding slow burst, high intensity resistance exercise to your daily routine, and reducing wheat, sugars and refined junk food from your diet will dramatically lower your risk of coronary artery disease.

Large pharmaceutical companies drive the perception that everybody will need to take a statin, regardless of their age, or the lack of documented health benefit from this class of drug. Profits and greed are behind the marketing machine, as billions in sales rest on the line. Take control of your own destiny and naturally eliminate the need for this most dangerous health damaging prescription.

Lupus – 4 Steps to Natural Relief

Lupus is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune (the body is attacking itself) disease that affects connective tissue (tissue that binds and supports various structures of the body and also includes the blood). Discoid Lupus Erythematosis (DLE) is a less serious type, affecting exposed areas of the skin and sometimes the joints. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a more serious, potentially fatal, and affects more organs of the body.

First, recognize that Lupus is inflammatory and an autoimmune disorder. These 2 characteristics are the focus of a natural approach to helping control and possibly recovering from the condition. A natural/holistic approach does not aim to just relieve symptoms or specifically treat a disease; it seeks an underlying source and addresses it. Respect for the body’s natural recuperative ability is emphasized.

Some experts suggest that the traditional role of modern medicine and its focus on symptom covering may be a source of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders in itself, together with poor nutrition, toxin accumulation, and the high stress lifestyle so common in our era. In my new book, Whole Health Healing – The Budget Friendly Natural Wellness Bible for All Ages, I have included a chart called Foods to Avoid and Foods to Include for Inflammation Control. Also, the book contains details for various detox/internal cleansing options. You can order the book on my website listed below.

Consider eating The Healing Salad. The recipe is anti-inflammatory and is available for free on the right side of my website.

Secondly, rule out food allergies, parasites, candidiasis (yeast), bowel disorders, and digestive enzyme deficiencies. These may create symptoms that mimic or worsen Lupus. They may be the actual sources themselves. Qualified holistic practitioners can carefully analyze these issues and recommend solutions. Ask specifically for the practitioners training and experience in dealing with these. This “digging deeper” approach by holistic practitioners is where many lupus sufferers find real solutions.

Thirdly, your greatest challenge may be patience. Expect several weeks before significant improvement is noticed after starting treatment/lifestyle modifications. And expect several months if not several years for optimum control or resolution. Also, several relapses are the norm in a course of recovery from Lupus. Persistence is the key. Having a cooperative and understanding medical practitioner is helpful, because Lupus cases may likely need some medical care during their natural treatment process.

Lastly, but probably most important is the need for a sound, free flowing nervous system. This is best accomplished through chiropractic evaluation and adjustments. Misalignment of spinal structure, due to stress or trauma, causes irritation or interference with nerve transmission. The spinal areas that typically need adjusting are between C6-T3 and T9-L2. These areas can have direct influence on hormone balance/inflammation.

Some drugs give a false positive test (looks like Lupus); hydrazine, procainamide, and beta blockers.

Each case of Lupus is unique and needs a full evaluation. What may help one may not help another.

Some consistent solutions are: limiting or eliminating dairy products, eating smaller, more frequent meals, increasing digestive enzymes and stomach acidity, increasing consumption of essential oils (walnuts, flax, oily fishes, olive oil), avoiding alfalfa sprouts or tablets that contain L-canavanine sulfate.

Any modifications in lifestyle that are found to be helpful need to be continued lifelong.

The holistic/natural approach to Lupus is not a cure-all, but careful analysis and modification with non-medication solutions should be considered.