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Archive for July, 2009
You know when you were a child and told to eat your peas and carrots , now you may want to take a second look at peas to help fight high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease, says a new study that could lead to new nutritional health supplements.
Working with the yellow garden pea, Canadian scientists purified a mixture of proteins and tested the substance on rats with polycystic kidney disease, and found that blood pressure of the participants dropped 20 percent over the eight-week study.
Researcher Halumi Aluko called the findings significant, citing the fact that most “patients actually die from cardiovascular complications that arise from the high blood pressure associated with kidney malfunction.”
Further testing on the pea extract being added to patients hypertension diet ,is planned at the University of Manitoba, although a product based on the research may not hit shelves for another two to three years.
Previous research on PKD, which affects 26 million Americans, has searched for improved screening methods, as well as connection to hypertensive-related diseases such as diabetes.
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Diabetes Symtoms of Neuropathy Related to Blood Fats
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
posted by chip @ 12:16 PM
Blood sugar level are regularly monitored in diabetics, but new research has suggested the level of triglycerides may also need to come under closer scrutiny to protect against nerve loss a diabetes symptomscalled Nueropathy.
Triglycerides are the fats which are a known cardiovascular disease risk factor, and their level can be easily measured with available tests.
Scientists from the University of Michigan and Wayne State University analyzed data from 427 diabetes patients with neuropathy, a condition in which nerves are damaged or lost with resulting numbness, tingling and pain in the extremities.
They also have found that patients with elevated levels of triglycerides were significantly more likely to experience worsening neuropathy over a period of one year.
Dr. Eva L. Feldman, senior author of the study and the Russell N. DeJong Professor of Neurology at the U-M Medical School says given the ease of testing for triglyceride level, patients can now take pro-active steps to reduce the risk of serious health complications.
The researchers also added that by reducing blood triglyceride levels can be done the same way cholesterol is controlled - through healthy diet that is low in harmful fats and regular exercise.There are better alternatives out there than drugs which create more damage .The good of natural ways last longer , but take a llitle longer to achieve . You must stay on course to the results you need.
Natural Alternatives Pain Relief for Fibromyalgia From Australia
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
posted by chip @ 8:52 AM
Are you one of the thousands of Americans looking for Pain Relief Fibromyalgia , Arthritis with Natural Alternatives?
For instance : A mother of two kids that she home schools, was struck down with Fibromyalgia, she has been living on pain medicines for months. Taking non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (nsaid) 3-4 times a day with no relief. She started taking Ruflex and after 2 weeks was completely pain free!
Fibromyalgia is a real medical condition. It includes all-over muscle pain that can make it hard to do even day-to-day tasks for many people . The pain may vary from mild to severe .
The muscle pain from fibromyalgia is one of the most common types of chronic widespread pain in the U.S. People with fibromyalgia may not know what is wrong with them or what is causing their pain ,but there is help.
The natural alternative for temporary relief of joint pain is here! Suns Natural RuflexTM may reduce your pain and stiffness, act as an anti-inflammatory on joints, improve your circulation and rebuild your cartilage. With this unique formula, you may see results in as little as a few days!
Even though thousands of Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year, researchers have yet to determine its precise cause. We do know about several major contributing factors, however. The disease can be hereditary; people with diabetes in their family background are 25 percent more likely to develop it at some point in their lives. A diet heavy in carbs, proteins and fats may also contribute to the disease. In order to secrete insulin successfully, the pancreas must be free from dealing with excess food.
We cannot pinpoint exactly what causes diabetes, but we can continue to investigate ways to eradicate the disease. The medical establishment has set its sights on researching ways to control diabetic symptoms, but alternative medicine has taken a different approach entirely. A number of natural herbal treatments, such as banaba and bitter melon, have been shown to help decrease blood-sugar levels.
How to Use Natural Alternatives Like Herbs to Treat Fibromyalgia
Sunday, July 26, 2009
posted by chip @ 8:32 AM
Fibromyalgia is a disorder that effects the lower back, the neck, the back of the head and the shoulders. There is no known primary cause of fibromyalgia, although inflammation and poor circulation are the main causes of the muscular pain experienced by those who have the condition. Many consider natural alternatives or herbal remedies to be a viable way to treat fibromyalgia’s symptoms.You can follow these steps to learn how herbs like dandelion, cayenne, echinacea and astragalus could help fibromyalgia sufferers.
1 . Brew a tea of dandelion, burdock root and red clover to enhance your body’s immunity and clean out your bloodstream. For the best results, drink between 4 and 6 cups a day. Alternatively, you can also take 1 tbsp. of dandelion juice twice a day.
2. Apply a mixture of 1 part cayenne and 3 parts wintergreen oil topically. Cayenne contains capsaicin, a chemical that inhibits pain-causing neurotransmitters.
3. Pick up some echinacea and astragalus to aid with immune system function.
4. Remove parasites within the body with black walnut leaves or nuts.
5. Favor ginger over aspirin for pain. Ginger is sold in 1,000 to 2,000 milligram capsules at health food stores across the country as well as on the Internet. You can also take ginger in tea form by taking 1 tsp. of ground ginger root and steeping it in 8 ounces of boiling water for 10 minutes.
6. Use calendula to help reverse the effects of fibromyalgia. Many alternative medicine practitioners recommend that fibromyalgia sufferers take calendula in high doses on a daily basis.
How To Deal With Pre-Meal Sugar Spikes With Natural Alternatives
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
posted by chip @ 10:17 AM
Being a Diabetic we all have those challenging days, or challenging hours: What do you do if it’s getting close to your meal time and your blood sugar is above 240 mg/dl?
High blood sugar before a meal tells you that your liver is making too much glucose and needs to be told to slow down, says the American Diabetes Association (ADA). The signal it needs is insulin.
Because it takes time for insulin to be absorbed from the skin, and additional time to reduce the liver’s glucose production, the ADA suggests that you take your usual dose of insulin and wait 60 to 90 minutes to eat (instead of the usual 30 to 45). This will allow your blood sugar level to fall toward the normal range before you eat, giving the insulin a “head start.”
Another solution is if you want to stay with natural alternatives , try using Banaba is taken a half hour before you eat to help with the sugar spikes afterward. Bitter Melon and Banaba act as insulin to the body.
The goal is not to become low before eating, but to regain control over high blood sugar.
An alternative is to take lispro insulin or Humalog 15 to 30 minutes before your meal, which should lower your blood sugar more rapidly than regular insulin, these are fast acting if you wish to stay with your regular routine .
Gout is a special type of arthritis caused by an excess of uric acid in the blood, says the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Uric acid crystals tend to settle in joints in the lowest part of the body, which is why the big toe is most often affected. These crystals can cause the big toe joint to become red, warm and swollen, and can be extremely painful.
Interestingly enough, about 18 % of people with this find that it was genetic. Adult males are much more likely than females or younger folks to get gout. Being overweight is also going to elevate your risk of coming down with gout as can drinking too much alcohol. Exposure to lead and certain medicines can also raise your risk of getting gout.
If you have these diabetes symptoms of gout, your health care provider may withdraw some joint fluid and examine it under a microscope to look for crystals, explains the ADA. Medication and a special diet to lower the uric acid levels in the body are the main treatments.
Here is some foods to avoid with gout are those that contain purine, such as sardines or anchovies. Stay away from organ meats and dried legumes. An increase in the consumption of cherries and strawberries will be helpful. Drinking two or three quarts of water and avoiding the use of tobacco or other smoking products will also yield good results.
Sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference between gout and an infection caused by bacteria. If you think you might have gout, it’s important to see your health care provider. Repeated episodes of gout tend to damage the big toe joint and may even make it stiff. This can cause a high-pressure spot on your foot that is more prone to developing a callus and an ulcer.
Be sure to check your feet daily for any signs of redness or ulcerations.
Natural Alternatives to Keep Healthy Diabetic Nerves
Monday, July 20, 2009
posted by chip @ 11:09 AM
A vitamin B complex plays a very important part in the good functioning of our body. As it is often hard to absorb, vitamin B supplements are very effective in maintaining a proper vitamin B level and keeping us healthy. All B vitamins in a complex play an important role in supporting nerve health - a common concern among people who have diabetes. I want to let you know about two additional supplements that have been demonstrated to have the same effect with nerves .
Lipoic acid.Called alpha lipoic acid or ALA, it is a vitamin-like antioxidant, referred to as the “universal antioxidant” because it is both fat- and water-soluble. This allows it to enter all parts of the cell to neutralize free radicals. Research has shown that when taken in high doses, lipoic acid helps to support peripheral nerve health and nueropathy of diabetic feet . Depending on the amount of support you need, I recommend between 200 mg and 400 mg per day or even twice a day with severe problems.
It can be used for many other things including:
- Sciatica
- Cancer
- Stroke
- Glaucoma
- Multiple
- Cataracts
- Burning mouth syndrome
- Alzheimer’s disease
- HIV
- Liver problems and hepatitis
Evening primrose oil.Also called EPO, this is the second supplement that I would recommend for nerve health. Evening primrose is a wildflower native to North America. EPO, which contains the essential fatty acid gamma linolenic acid (GLA), has been shown to be very helpful in the support of optimal nerve function. In one double-blind study carried out in seven medical centers, 480 mg of evening primrose oil taken daily for one year proved beneficial to patients’ nerve health. Other studies have used doses of up to 6,000 mg per day with good results. I suggest supplementing with evening primrose oil at a starting dose of 500 mg to 1,500 mg per day. If you’re suffering from neuropathy, natural alternatives help (a painful and common complication of diabetes), give them a try - and take control of your diabetes.
The best way to prevent problems of the heart is to keep it healthy by supporting the physical apparatus of the circulatory system and balancing the emotions that beset us. You can keep the blood flowing clean and without obstruction and your heart at an even and steady rhythm by making regular use of natural alternatives such as these heart-friendly herbs.
1. Cacao(Theobroma cacao)
A natural source of theobromine, long considered a heart tonic and mild stimulant, cacao also contains epicatechin, a flavonol that improves the function of the blood vessels. Of course eating flavonol-rich cacao is not the same-on many levels, as snacking on sugary chocolate bars. Your best bet? Munching on raw natural cacao nibs or taking a cacao tincture.
2. Cayenne(Capsicum frutescens)
Taken daily, this Indian spice strengthens, stimulates, and tones the heart, balances circulation, and calms palpitations. Start with a few grains at a time (up to 1/2 teaspoon), and add it to juice. You can also top dress some of your favorite foods ,I especially add it to chicken noodle soup when I have a cold or flu , great for killing bugs and sore throat .If you feel hesitant because of cayenne’s spicy reputation, start with a a tiny pinch and increase the amount as you feel comfortable. Or you can take one or two capsules daily.
3. Garlic(Allium sativum)
Many ancient cultures recognized garlic as a therapeutic plant-the Egyptians, for instance, found more than 200 medical uses for the herb. Several studies have shown that one or two cloves a day raw (approximately 600 to 900 mg a day of powder) inhibits bad cholesterol (LDL) production and raises the good kind (HDL). Smaller trials have also demonstrated garlic’s promise in normalizing blood pressure, preventing blood platelet aggregation, and improving circulation.
4. Hawthorn(Crataegus oxycanthus)Herbalist Bridgitte Mars recommends this heart and circulatory tonic, can improve your oxygen and blood supply. Rich in flavonoids that protect small capillary vessels from free-radical damage, hawthorn normalizes blood pressure and lowers cholesterol and fat deposits in the liver and aorta. Mars recommends it for angina, arrhythmia, arteriosclerosis, blood clots, and hypertension. You’re not likely to see results for a few months, but hawthorn is safe for long-term use. Take 15 to 25 drops of the tincture three times daily in a little water, says Mars.Or if you prefer take two capsules twice daily ,each capsule 5oomg.
5. Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)
Traditionally used to treat a racing heart caused by nervous tension, this herbal sedative may, with long-term use, reduce the formation of clotting factors, lower total cholesterol and triglycerides, and strengthen the heart muscle. Prepare a tea by soaking 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of dried motherwort in about 5 ounces of boiling water for five to 10 minutes. Drink it throughout the day, or take 10 to 20 drops of a tincture as often as every 10 minutes, if necessary.
Common Vitamin C To Lower Blood Pressure Naturally
Saturday, July 18, 2009
posted by chip @ 12:06 PM
There is strong evidence from the research that “vitamin C is specifically important in maintaining a healthy blood pressure,” said lead researcher, Dr Gladys Block from the University of California, Berkeley.
Some results found that higher than normal blood pressure lowered with higher amounts of vitamin C, and lower than normal blood pressure levels increased with vitamin C.
Testing women with the largest intake of vitamin C had a decline in their high blood pressure (systolic) readings of approximately 4.66 mm Hg compared to women with the lowest intake of vitamin C.
There researchers also noted that the women with the highest recorded levels of ascorbic acid would have diets rich in fruits, vegetables, multivitamins and or supplements to lower blood pressure naturally. The women with the lowest levels of plasma ascorbic acid were likely to have included an average dosage of fruits and vegetables in their diets.
Blocks’ further analysis of the research findings indicated that “people with the highest blood level of vitamin C had the least increase in blood pressure.”
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