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Archive for August, 2009
Muscle Pain - Diabetes Symptoms From Taking Statin Drugs
Monday, August 31, 2009
posted by chip @ 8:05 AM
There are many people who experience muscle pain and weakness from taking Statin Drugs . My best answer to you is to say , get off these type of drugs as quickly as you can , because this is one of the many side affects from taking them.
The latest information that I recieved is that the Pharmacutical Industry has been trying to hide this fact for years : that these drugs are related to these diabetes symptoms of muscle pain .And worse they appear to be more than just aches. Alot of the Statin users having pain are also showing signs of muscle damage, according to a study published in July in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Evidence has shown that even by stopping the drugs the pains can continue.
Between 10 percent and 15 percent of statin users report minor muscle aches and weakness, with a smaller number battling even more serous muscle problems, according to the study.
All because they’re taking a drug they most of the time don’t need.
Most likely you are taking this drug for cholesterol :Cholesterol is made by an enzyme in the liver. This enzyme goes into overdrive when you eat high-carbohydrate meals or suffer from excess stress. If you simply remove or manage the stress in your life and eat a better diet , your body will make less cholesterol.
The simple fact is that the Big Drug companies do not advertise , like making commercials to teach how to eat right or to exercise to get your life back on track ! No , But applying this method will help to normalize your cholesterol numbers.
There are many people who suffer from high cholesterol,they also find themselves facing other conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes.There are many supplements and natural foods : Garlic for instance that can help with many of these diseases .You can get yourself back on track naturally, and you’ll get yourself away from a lifetime of needless prescription meds like statins and others,just look for the possibilities.
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Nearly 1-in-3 American adults has high blood pressure today. But for the Kuna Indians who live on a group of islands off the Caribbean coast of Panama, hypertension doesn’t even exist. In fact, after age 60, the average blood pressure for Kuna Indian islanders is a perfect 110/70.
So lets find out what makes these people practically “immune” to hypertension-and lets them enjoy much lower death rates from heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and cancer?
Several studies show that the flavonols in cocoa stimulate your body’s production of nitric oxide- which in turn boosts more blood flow to your heart, brain, and other organs.Amazingly as it sounds , one study found that cocoa thins your blood just as well as low-dose aspirin!
Cocoa beans contain large quantities of flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants that protectsthe human body against harmful effects of oxidation.aThe ntioxidant content in dark chocolate is higher on a per gram basis than milk chocolate. It is also higher in unprocessed cocoa than in alkalized (Dutch-processed) cocoa
Cocoa flavonols can significantly reduce your LDL or “bad” cholesterol levels and promote healthy circulation to maintain your heart health. Cocoa flavonols can improve the health of blood vessels to dilate better and reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol that can lead to clogged arteries.Flavonoids are found in many plants, including onions, broccoli, and tea. “Cocoa stands by itself; it’s extraordinarily rich” in flavonoids.
The Kuna Indians in Panama rarely develop high blood pressure. They make their own locally grown, flavonol-rich cocoa. They drink about 5 cups of cocoa each day and include it in many recipes. But if they leave the island, and start drinking commercial cocoa that’s flavonol-poor, the risk of high blood pressure increases.
To make your own special cup of cocoa to lower blood pressure , follow these directions below .
When buying cocoa , look for 100% pure cocoa powder to make hot cocoa with. Take one teaspoon of cocoa powder and mix it with 2 table spoons of cold milk to form a paste. Bring milk to a boil and poor over prepared cocoa paste. Mix well and sweeten with maple syrup or brown sugar.
It is best to use dark chocolate to replace other high fat sweets or desserts, and to enjoy chocolates and other sweets sparingly.
Generally speaking, the effectiveness of a diabetes treatment begins and ends with dietary decisions. By eating right, a diabetic can keep blood sugar levels in check. The first step in that process involves limiting the intake of fats and carbohydrates as they are difficult to break down and transform into energy. On the other hand, antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables should make up a significant part of one’s diet.
In some cases, smart food choices alone aren’t enough to control diabetes flare ups. Natural supplements can be used to increase insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. In other words, such supplements help the body to derive energy from glucose and carbohydrates. As scientists continue to make strides toward a genuine diabetes cure, diabetics are left to do the best they can with the products currently on the market.
Natural Fibromyalgia Treatments Have Better and Faster Results Than Drugs
Thursday, August 27, 2009
posted by chip @ 12:37 PM
There is good news for those who suffer from Fibromyalgia since its symptoms are similar to arthritis, there are many natural and less risky treatment options that can ease the pain and reduce symptoms.
Dr Mark Stengler,ND , who is a naturopathic physician says ,he has found that natural therapies work so well and with so few side effects that there’s every reason to turn to these first. He says the fascinating thing about fibromyalgia is that there is no single root cause. Rather, it can result from any of a number of very different causes or catalysts, including injury such as whiplash, food allergies, hormone imbalances (low thyroid, for example), digestive problems, metal toxicity, neurotransmitter imbalances and more.
The most common complaints fibromyalgia patients have are insomnia, fatigue, muscle pain, tender points (spots tender to the touch), depression and digestive problems.Dr Stengler starts a testing process to evaluate hormone balances, including cortisol and DHEA, as well as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and thyroid hormones. For patients who have a history of eating fish that may contain mercury (this includes deep water fish such as tuna, swordfish and shark) or who have several mercury fillings, he tests for metal toxicity since this can cause an increase in perceived pain. He may also measure how well digestion and nutrient absorption are functioning, since these factors too can amplify symptoms.
Once Dr Stengler has determined weather his patients have fibromyalgia ,he perscribes natural fibromyalgia treatments aimed at keeping the disease from getting worse, and hopefully even reversing it. They are:
- Calcium and magnesium, to relax tight muscles and calm nerves
- Vitamin D, which reduces inflammation
- 5-HTP and SAMe increase serotonin, leading to reduction in pain signals
- MSM as a natural anti-inflammatory
- Sugar D-ribose to improve energy production within cells
- Neprinol, which was specifically formulated to stop and reverse fibromyalgia and may be effective for some.
He will also give patients some specific homeopathic substances to reduce muscle pain, including Rhus Tox (for stiffness and muscle ache that gets worse in cold weather), Cimicifuga racemosa (for muscle pain that feels like bruising, especially helpful when fibromyalgia affects the neck to mid-back) and Bryonia alba (for muscle and joint pain that is worse with motion).
Some of his patients who tested for food sensitivities were to avoid foods that can aggravate symptoms. All patients with fibromyalgia were given an anti-inflammatory diet with lots of cold water fish (ones that don’t contain significant mercury, including salmon and sardines) along with loads of vegetables, and moderate amounts of fruit, nuts and lean red meat. Dr. Stengler has patients add anti-inflammatory spices like – turmeric, garlic, onions and ginger, for example — to their diets as well, and for those with poor digestion he prescribes digestive enzymes. For them to ease their pain and stress , he occasionally recommends chiropractic and/or acupuncture treatments, and he advises patients to develop good stress-control habits… deep breathing, exercises.
Dr. Stengler believes that fibromyalgi responds so well to natural treatments ,he thinks it’s the best first-line approach for everyone who suspects they may have it. Even for those who opt to take drugs, it’s a good idea to ask your doctor if you can take natural substances to complement your treatment.
Some History in Alternative Medicine Using Herbs
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
posted by chip @ 9:23 AM
The earliest known use of herbs was discovered in the 1960s in a burial site at Shanidar Cave in Iraq .There were 8 differnent kinds of herbs buried with a 60,000 year-old Neanderthal remains. It’s believed these were medicinal plants intended for use in the afterlife. Healing herbs were also portrayed in the famous cave paintings at Lascaux, France, which are between 11,000-23,000 years old.
At that time american settlers used herbal remedies for illnesses ( which today we use as alternative medicine), flavoring foods , as dyes for clothing , and for their pleasant fragrances. Herb gardens were an essential part of pioneer homes all across the country . Many of theEuropean immigrants were familiar with many of the wild-growing herbs of North America, including parsley, anise, pennyroyal, sorrel, watercress, liverwort, wild leeks, and lavender.Some unknown herbs, such as Echinacea (Purple Cone flower ), they learned to use from Native Americans Indians.
Here is a few of there most common cures using herbs.
Marjoram was a general tonic for the Greeks, and was eaten in the Middle Ages as a tranquilizer and cure for headaches. Parsley was a medieval cure for stomach ailments. Mint was used by Greek athletes as an after bath muscle relaxant(which really does work ), and was an important cleansing agent in the middle ages. It was used to purify drinking water by sailors. Chives were used by early Dutch. They planted chives in the meadows so cows would give chive-flavored milk, which they believed was good for the digestion.
There is a sugar molecule ,sorbitol which is known to be one of the major factors in contributing to many health complications that face diabetics. When this substance ,sorbitol accumulates in the body in unusually high concentrations, it can cause cells to “leak” vital amino acids, minerals and vitamins,which in turn saps the body of its necessary nutrients and raises the risk of many health problems in Diabetics.
In particular, studies have linked high concentrations of sorbitol in the body to diabetic vision problems, nerve damage and weakened kidneys. A natural treament for diabetes to prevent sorbitol from accumulating, diabetes experts recommend supplementation with vitamin C. Many studies have shown that taking daily vitamin C tablets works effectively to flush sorbitol from the system where even some powerful prescription medications have failed.
There are possible causes from gluten and carbohydrates that may trigger many of the conditions related to fibromyalgia.
You see by going 100% gluten-free or trying, may be an answer for many people who suffer from the many health complaints related to FM. Gluten itself causes an inflammation in your intestines (duodenum) gluten-sensitivity (or its most progressive form: Celiac disease) which leads to absorption problems and results in many severe mineral deficiencies.
A persons duodenum is where most of your calcium supposed to be absorbed. So inflamed bowels cannot do its job right. Instead, the inflamed cell walls allow large amounts of proteins to leak into your blood stream turning it “acidic” (which the term leaky gut syndrome and dysbiosis occur). Our blood needs to keep its pH balance with the help of other certain minerals. Since not enough calcium is being absorbed by your gut your blood needs to get it from somewhere else , such as bones and teeth. This calcium buffer does not remain in the blood indefinitely - it gets redeposited again to –arteries (plaque), joints (arthritis), muscle tissue (rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, etc.).
So finding a fibromyalgia cure is your first line of defense? I recommend for you to remove the constant bombardment on your system. In plain English, stop adding fuel to the fire ! The best thing to do is to eat a low-carbohydrate, gluten-free, or possibly a low calorie diet (even if you are slightly overweight) with a fresh supply of, lightly cooked greens, light proteins, and plenty of plain water (non chlorinated preferred !) and green or white tea - and especially no soft drinks! (most of the soft drinks have toxins and chemicals we do not need or want in our bodies, they affect your phosphorus levels and cause major mineral imbalances.)
1) Going gluten-free is not an easy task - contamination is a big problem and as little as 1 gram of gluten can keep your system from healing.
2) You must keep ALL your other gluten-free grain carbohydrates below the max. 30 grams daily (grains can make an acidic system even more acidic and may put you at high risk for diabetes).
The good news is :our cells renew every 105 to 125 days; so health improvements are possible every 3 months. When you start putting only good foods into your body the new cells will have a chance to be healthier than the ones before. Your body is no less dependent on the right kinds of fuels than your car is . So you must maintain it well!
A Natural Treatment for Fibromyalgia by Avioding Acidity
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
posted by chip @ 11:06 AM
There is a natural treatment for fibromyalgia and other diseases alike, by becoming alkaline.
You can aviod or reverse Fibromyalgia by staying away from acidifying your body everyday .It is a plus in drinking alkalizing water and stick ing to an alkaline diet. You must realize by eliminating the triggers , you stand a greater chance of getting your body ’s balance under control.
You may want to watch out for some toxins , added sugar and chemicals in you most popular hygiene and beauty products like :
Toothpaste ,mouthwash ,deodorants, body creams and lotions,and of course make-up. These are contain acidifying substances. Most of your natural products are not cheap but generally last a very long time. Natural products are well worth your while because the mucous tissue in your mouth . The skin under your arms very easily absorbs everything out of your deodorants. For instance did you know that your deodorant contains aluminum !
Chewing gums are every0nes favorite. They too are full of substances that don’t belong in your body and make you more acidic.
There is some more things we you can do to help ourselves:
Unfortunately most of our town/city water is highly acidic and full of contaminants. Chlorine bleach, silver, and other filters are used to kill bacteria. You know what happens when you leave a sock in chlorine for too long… I for one don’t want that stuff in my body.
More importantly,in the water filtration plants,they do not yet have a system in place to filter out all the prescription medications from birth control pills to statins and other drugs all of us eliminate on a daily basis…
I know, we don’t drink it; but the water we shower and bathe in is reconditioned water! Our skin the largest organ of our body absorbs these particles and our lungs breathe them in. This all contributes to acidification of our tissues, which in turn leads to a lowered pain threshold… You know the avalanche-reaction very well.
And, by the way, the water softeners using salt affect your sodium-potassium balance and with it your calcium metabolism. So, that means: more of the same continuing cycle…
Lower Blood Pressure Now Before Kidney Disease Appears
Sunday, August 16, 2009
posted by chip @ 12:24 PM
There are 26 million Americans with kidney disease. One out of nine Americans is affected. As of 2008 there were half a million people in this country on life-sustaining dialysis.
If you have history of diabetes, high blood pressure, or family history of kidney disease, you are at risk of chronic kidney disease.
The recent Jackson Heart Study published in the American Journal of Kidney Disease, the official journal of National Kidney Foundation, reports in this group of people the percentage of chronic kidney disease is 20 percent, or one in five.
Early detection is now possible by checking urine for albumin. By checking blood for kidney disease, it may not pick up early kidney injury, which albumin in urine will pick up. The National Kidney Foundation is now recommending a urine test for early detection.
One out of nine people with kidney disease are not diagnosed until late in the course of illness when there are few opportunities for prevention.
There is now strong scientific evidence that early detection, altering lifestyle factors and aggressive ways to lower blood pressure, not only slow down the progression to kidney failure, but can also significantly reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease that leads to premature death in the majority of these patients.
Here is a list of the 10 critical things healthy kidneys do for you:
1. Filter 200 liters, say 50 gallons, of blood a day, removing two liters of toxins, wastes and water.
2. Regulate the body’s water balance.
3. Regulate blood pressure by controlling fluid levels and making the hormone that causes blood vessels to constrict.
4. Support healthy bones and tissues by producing the active form of vitamin D.
5. Produce the hormone that stimulates bone marrow to manufacture red blood cells.
6. Keep blood minerals in balance.
7. Keep electrolytes in balance.
8. Regulate blood acid levels.
9. Remove drugs from the blood.
10. Retrieve essential nutrients so that the body can reabsorb them.
Most people with kidney diseases may not be cured, but careful follow-up and control of blood pressure, weight and other factors (If you smoke - stop!), will reduce continuing damage to one’s kidneys.
Many kidney patients die of heart disease or stroke, rather than kidney failure. Dialysis will clean the blood, which is not well cleaned by damaged kidneys.
The National Kidney Foundation urges all Americans to love their kidneys. So learn more about chronic kidney disease risk factors, prevention and treatment.
For Alternative Health Try A Healthy, Hearty Sandwhich for Dinner
Saturday, August 15, 2009
posted by chip @ 12:00 PM
Instead of a plateful of other food choices for dinner , try a healthy sandwich instead .Sandwiches don’t have to be just for brown-bag lunches. Taking a step toward alternative healthfor a scrumptious recipe and prepare one for dinner - even dessert - every night of the week if you want to. Sandwiches are can be endlessly versatile using the healthy chioces of ingredients. From healthy takes on the Philly cheese steak, Reuben and even the Filet-O-Fish, there’s something here to make even a PB & J purist branch out. Just don’t forget to pack up the leftovers the next day for lunch… and the napkins!
Try This Excellent Bistro Flank Steak Sandwich
Make this bistro-style sandwich, sauce and all, completely on the grill. If you’re in a hurry, just grill the steak and garlic, and substitute jarred roasted red peppers for the grilled bell peppers.
Make this bistro-style sandwich, sauce and all, completely on the grill. If you’re in a hurry, just grill the steak and garlic, and substitute jarred roasted red peppers for the grilled bell peppers.
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
6 cloves garlic, unpeeled
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 pound flank steak, trimmed
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 medium red bell pepper
1 medium yellow bell pepper
4 large slices whole-wheat country bread, cut in half, or 8 small slices
2 tablespoons reduced-fat mayonnaise
1 cup mixed salad greens
Preparation
1. Preheat grill to medium-high.
2. Place garlic in the center of a piece of foil and drizzle with oil. Gather the foil together at the top to form a sealed packet. Sprinkle both sides of steak with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper.
3. Place the garlic packet over indirect heat or the coolest part of the grill. Place the steak and bell peppers over direct heat or the hottest part of the grill. Cook the garlic until soft and golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Cook the peppers, turning occasionally, until the skin is blistered on all sides, about 10 minutes total. Cook the steak, turning once, until desired doneness, about 6 minutes per side for medium. Transfer the garlic packet, peppers and steak to a clean platter. Tent the steak with foil to keep warm.
4. Grill bread, turning once, until toasted, about 1 minute per side.
5. When the peppers are cool enough to handle, peel and discard the stems, seeds and ribs. Slice into wide strips and toss with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Peel the garlic and place it and the oil from the packet in another small bowl. Add mayonnaise and mash with a fork until combined. Slice the steak very thinly.
6. To assemble sandwiches, spread 1 scant teaspoon of the roasted garlic mayonnaise (aioli) on each piece of bread. Divide greens, the sliced steak and grilled peppers among 4 slices of bread; top with the remaining bread.
Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Per sandwich:
287 calories
10 g fat (3 g sat, 5 g mono)
33 mg cholesterol
26 g carbohydrate
21 g protein
2 g fiber
596 mg sodium
393 mg potassium
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