Natural Health Alternatives
Natural Remedy Information
Archive for October, 2009
Drinking Vegetable Juice Helps Lower Blood Pressure and Weight Loss
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
posted by chip @ 10:47 AM
Years of study has showed that a diet rich in vegetables has many health benefits. As of today , worldwide eight out of ten do not meet the daily requirements. Two studies have found that by adding vegetable juice (like V8 Juice) in peoples diets, helped them meet the 4 servings a day of vegetables much easier. This is a much simpler way for people to get their vegetables, by drinking two servings a day of this tasty juice they can reap the benefits of a vegetable rich diet . Vegetable juice is something that people can enjoy, plus it’s convenient and portable, which makes it simple to drink every day.”Also this is a great way to get your kids to have more veggies , especially the ones who avoid them on there plates.
The Baylor College of Medicine showed that by drinking vegetable juice helped overweight people with metabolic syndrome lose more weight compared to non-juice drinkers. The study showed , participants who drank one or two servings of the Low Sodium V8® 100% vegetable juice a day as part of a balanced diet , it increased their vegetable intake and helped them lose an average of four pounds over the 12-week study period. Those who did not drink juice had lost only one pound. Losing weight helps to lower blood pressure , which puts you at less risk of heart disease , diabetes and high cholesterol. The two major health issues of today are heart disease and obesity.So finding something as easy as drinking vegetable juice can help people increase their vegetable intake and have significant health benefits.”
add comment
(0 Comments)
In order to provide oxygen and nutrients to all the cells in the body, the human heart must pump blood to the arteries. Unfortunately, a number of factors can contribute to cholesterol and plaque buildup inside the arteries, causing the heart to work harder and the blood pressure to increase. Whether it’s a result of poor dietary decisions, genetic factors or something else, hypertension is a problem that deserves to be taken seriously.
Since it can lead to heart attack, stroke and other fatal events down the road, hypertension should be diagnosed early and treated right away. A change in diet is one of the most important steps you can take, and there are other natural ways to lower blood pressure as well. All-natural supplements exist that have been shown to lower the risk of high blood pressure when combined with exercise routines and sensible diets.
Type 2 Diabetes is a fast growing health problem in the country.Over 24 million people have the disease ,a higher than normal blood sugar or gloucose levels can damage the body in many ways. It is the 6thleading cause of death in the us today , s0 now with these 10 natural cure for diabetes tips you can reverse this disease . This does nothave to be a death sentence ,by making some lifestyle changes of adding exercise and better eating habits this disease can be preventable or even reversed. The best way to tackle this is to have some support from family members ,friends or a support group of some kind to help you get through this , by yourself it is very difficult to achieve.
1. You need to switch to high fiber foods . Studies show that people who eat whole grains have a lower risk of developing the disease. Why? Fiber. Fiber allows the body to digest food without the spike in blood sugar.
2. You have to keep track of the food you eat ,the amount of exercise you do, how much weight you have lost .
3.Get up and move!If you want to cut your risk of getting diabetes by 35% ,take an hour long brisk walk everyday.Even after you are done walking try to stay active all through the day,maybe take a swim, bicycle with a friend,sweep the house ,take the stairs instead of the elevator, things of this nature will improve your stamina.
4. Remove the trans fats.Clean out the processed foods and sweets from your cupboards . Trans fats and partially hydrogenated oils - boost belly fat and increase heart disease raise your cholestero land diabetes risk. Replace your cupboards with foods containing polyunsaturated fats such as nuts, fish and soybean oil.
5. Make a game plan.By setting goals for your exercise routine.You will be able to accomplish and follow through with enough energy to ,a one-hour walk or three sets of tricep extensions.
Success will encourage you to challenge yourself more, especially as your blood sugar levels start to improve. “Losing just a little weight makes a huge difference.
6. Choose your proteins. By doing so you can do wonders for your diet. Cut back on red meats, eat more more poultry, seafood and legumes, like beans, lentils and nuts. All are very good sources of protein but they are leaner choices , lower in saturated fat, cholesterol and calories .
7. Take care of your feet ! Fact 60% of foot and leg amputations are diabetes-related? Neuropathyis nerve damage which results in loss of feeling your feet. You must regularly check your feet for swelling and red spots and maintain foot health by keeping nails trimmed and wearing proper shoes. Best type of shoe is a low -heeled type to prevent from rubbing against your feet.
8. Stop smoking !Smoking is double trouble for diabetics. Smoking puts at risk for heart disease, nerve damage and kidney, foot and eye problems and raises your blood sugar.You are at a bigger risk for all of these diseases when you light up . There are many ways to quit , you have to try something like, cold turkey, use the patch, there’s a gum or contact your doctor if you help in quitting. But you must do something, its in your best interest.
9. Lifting weights. The American Heart Association recommends strength-training to get rid of visceral fat (the kind that surrounds internal organs and creates the pot belly), because it’s the most dangerous for cardiovascular health. To lose 5-10% of your body weight you have to do 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day, at least five times a week.
10. Have you heard the phrase You are what you Drink! Did you know that there is ( high fructose corn syrup) is in sodas and berverages , this is bad news for diabetics or those at risk for the disease. Trade that soda for water or an unsweetened beverage or you can make your own drink like using concentrated lemon juice in water for flavor, if you need sweeter add a couple of drops of liquid Stevia.
Keep in mind that even fruit juice is high in sugar, so stick to the fruit itself. But if you take diabetes medication, keep juice or other fast-acting sugars handy in case your blood sugar dips too low. I hope that this has been helpful, good health to you.
Stevia an Example of Natural Health Products for Diabetics
Sunday, October 18, 2009
posted by chip @ 1:12 PM
As we know it is hard to resist the sweets we love eat. Now you can enjoy more foods sweetened with natural health products like Stevia Plus Fiber! This small green plant that is native to Paraguay has a delicious taste and 30 times sweeter than sugar.With the a low glycemic index of zero its very good for Diabetics and anyone else avoiding sugar in their diets. You can use this in beverages or foods or use it in your cereal,also is stable for both heating or freezing in prepared foods or fruit.
To go one better this sweetener has added fiber which is Frutafit Inulin Fiber. Inulin Fiber is a food ingredient found in chicory, fruits and vegetables.This is an easy way to get the needed fiber in your diet , especially for those who do not eat right.This soluble fiber that selectively nourishes the friendly bacteria (lactobacillus and bifidobacteria) in the intestines. With this increased number of these good bacteria ,they will help gastrointestinal functions and may:
*A diabetic aid to nourish the pancreas , to achieve healthy blood sugar levels
* Improve regularity
* Cleanse the colon
* Support liver health
* Assist and strengthen the immune system
* Help control the formation of free radicals
Also you can brew some tea to make Popsicles to freeze for a tasty treat. Add some to your favorite tea’s for that sweet taste you like without the artificial sweeteners of any kind, with no side affects.
Finding a Fibromyalgia Cure is done in Many Ways
Thursday, October 15, 2009
posted by chip @ 10:15 AM
Fibromyalgia is a misundrestood ailment ,so finding a fibromyalgia cure is done in many differents ways to achieve relief. While fibromyalgia is one of the most common diseases affecting the muscles, its cause is currently unknown. Fibromyalgia does not show any outward signs , and you do not develope any deformities.
Treatment programs are not the same for all that suffer from fibromyalgia , but there are basics for all to follow. Treatment programs are most effective when they combine patient education, stress reduction, regular exercise.Education is an important first step in helping patients understand and cope with the diverse symptoms . The Arthritis Foundation is a national voluntary health organization that provides community education through their many local chapters. Community hospital support groups also provide an arena for patients to share their experiences and treatment successes and failures.
Stress management might include simple stress by starting at home or work. By using techneques such as biofeedback, relaxation tapes, psychological counseling, and/or support among family members, friends, and doctors. Sometimes, changes in environmental factors (such as noise, temperature, and weather exposure) can exacerbate the symptoms of fibromyalgia, and these factors need to be modified.
Exercises or using low impapact exercise may work better than hard physical exercices .Low impact like swimming, cycling, walking and stationary cross-country ski machines can be effective treatments for fibromyalgia. Exercise performed on an every-other-day basis is most beneficial,especially if done in the morning.Accupunture can be another option and the use of some natural treatments and eating a healthy anti-inflammatory diets and getting sound sleep to reduce fibromyaldia symptoms.
Treatment Options without the Side Effects
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
posted by Looking4Alternatives @ 4:08 PM
If the recent rash of prescription drug commercials that have bombarded our television screens has taught us anything it’s that prescription drugs are not for everyone. No matter the product or the ailment it professes to treat, there’s always a list of side effects a mile long that’s tacked on at the end. In many cases, it’s up to the individual to decide what’s worse: the original malady or the side effects resulting from prescription meds. The answer to that question isn’t always cut and dried.
Luckily, natural health remedies are available as alternatives from the same old mainstream swill. The ingredients of these diabetes, fibromyalgia and hypertension treatments have been trusted for years, and they contain no risky artificial contaminants. Different treatments are more effective for different people, and it’s impossible to guarantee the potency of one approach over another. Generally speaking, though, all-natural is the safe, effective route.
Avioding Diabetic Retinopathy Symtoms of Diabetes
Monday, October 12, 2009
posted by chip @ 11:24 AM
One symptom of diabetes is Retinopathy,but of course there are many others to talk about also .Diabetics need t take care of their eyes to prevent blindness, so they must keep their sugar in check all of the time. They need to have yearly eye examinations to avoid any eye complications.
Along with eating right kind of food, doing regular exercising is also like a key to ensure that the blood sugar levels will be normal. Diabetes can happen at any age so you must take control of your life before life takes the control out of your hands. There are treatments available for diabetic retinopathy and laser surgery is one such treatment. The laser surgery will be carried out to stop the leakage from the blood vessels.
You can also supplement with some herbals as a preventitive measure for good eye health and sugar balance
Alpha Lipoic Acid (thioctic acid), a powerful antioxidant: supports healthy glucose metabolism, healthy energy levels and healthy immune function, maintains healthy liver function.
ALPHA LIPOIC is a powerful antioxidantthat works with other nutrients such as vitamins C & E and gluththione to defend against excessive free radicals. It is called an universal antioxidant because it is soluble in both water and lipid based tissue.
Health Claims
Acts as a powerful antioxidant for the whole body. Supports healthy glucose metabolism to keep sugar in balance. May support healthy energy levels so you can keep going all day. Assists enzymes in conversion of food to energy . Used by professionals in the treatment of nerve damage . May support healthy liver function .,Studies indicate may be used in prevention of cataracts . May support healthy immune function to help prevent infections.
Bilberry, or Baccinium myrtillus, is another herb that is native to many parts of Europe. The blue-black berries contain flavonoids, particularly anthocyanosides. Bilberry extracts are considered non-toxic even if taken at high doses. The most well known therapeutic effect is in the treatment of night blindness, macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and varicose veins.
There have been recent studies that show ,ginkgo biloba is a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger.
Ginkgo biloba increases the bloods flow to the eye’s retina. Ginkgo slows retinal deterioration, leading to an increase in visual acuity.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are the major carotenoids present in the retinas of healthy eyes. Lutein is an abundant carotenoid found in many fruits and vegetables and, in nature, protects cells against light-induced damage. Spinach and kale contain the highest levels of lutein, but it is also present in such foods as corn and egg yolks.
- 86% of eye doctors believe consumers who take a multivitamin should take one that includes lutein.
- 89% of eye doctors believe lutein is natural and safe.
- 55% of all eye doctors consider lutein to be as important for eyes as calcium is for bones.
- 71% of all eye doctors believe consumers should supplement their diet with lutein daily.
- 90% percent of all eye doctors believe consumers should eat foods naturally high in lutein, such as spinach.
- 58% of eye doctors believe that lutein is the nutrient that best supports long-term eye health.
These are a few anti-oxidents that will help in the prevention of blindness, not just in diabetics alone. Everyone needs good eye health.
Here are Some Natural Fibromyalgia Treatments Guidelines
Thursday, October 8, 2009
posted by chip @ 11:25 AM
Since we know that women are affected more than men with fibromyalgia, the rigors of life itself takes its toll . So we need to change our lifesyle a bit .
1. Reports of women who engage in regular exercise seem to be getting more out of life . By doing so we can funtcion better and have less pain overall.
2. Learning how to cope with stress everyday is a great advantage . A great help may be to go to support groups for stress management ,most women who attend or go to support groups do better than those who are isolated. Did you know that chronic stress leads to increased stress hormones that disturb the HPA axis.
3. Another one of the natural fibromyalgia treatments involve acupuncture for pain management .
Now to get to the part about our Diets .We have to understand that the types of food we eat can trigure fybromyalgia symptoms . Since there is a variety outside influences leading to fibromyalgia , a good place to start is to look at what we eat .
1.Starting with the FMS diet . Quoting ,FMS appears to be partly a defect in oxidative phosphorylation, which is a biochemical pathway that is required for proper function of your cells. Some women also have a disordered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This group of glands plays a central role in balancing and controlling biochemical processes in your body. Good dietary choices can favorably influence both oxidative phosphorylation and the HPA axis.
2.We have to learn to identify and find out if we have any type of food allergies . Allergies alone can cause many symptoms themselves.
3.Avoiding sugars at all cost is a big step .Also all types of refined carbohydrates , such as white flour and starches. This in itself will improve your energy overall.
4.Another step is in increasing foods that are rich in magnesium , such as legumes, tofu, seeds, nuts, whole foods, and green leafy vegetables.
5.A good line of defense is to use a whole foods diet ,mainly of good quality protein (lean animal protein, fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
6. Lastly by avoiding Food Additives . Alot of people with FMS are very sensitive to the food additives , especially MSG and aspartate. They begin to experience complete or nearly complete resolution of their symptoms after eliminating them from their diet to gaining better health .
Botanical Herbs an Alternative Medicine in Treating Fybromyalgia
Monday, October 5, 2009
posted by chip @ 11:31 AM
There are so many conventional and natural treatments in treating fybromyalgia.The use of Botanical herbs as an alternative medicine dates back centuries.
To quote (The term “adaptogen” is used to describe any plant or herb that has the ability to regulate and return your body’s functions back to normal levels ) unquote .The Chinese, Vikings, and Russians had utilized adaptogenic herbs in their medicinal practices, Dr. N.V. Lazarev, a Russian scientist, was the first person to keep meticulous records indicating plants that have characteristics of what he later named “adaptogens.”
Some adaptogenic herbs such as ginseng, licorice, rhodiola and cordyceps all help support adrenal gland function and promote overall well-being, energy, and balance. For instance Rhodilia helps treat fatigue, improves overall work performance, lighten symptoms of depression and helps your body develop a stronger resistance to stresses.
The use of anti-inflammatory herbs supplements such as Boswellia, Curcumin - (Turmeric), Quercetin, and bromelain may be used effectively to decrease pain and inflammation.
Al;so there are other herbs that can be used depending on the complexities of your symptoms. Herbs may be used to detoxify the liver and blood and to support mood.
Many nutritional and botanical herbal supplements are used in these treatments and are intended to have a physiological effect and clinical benefit, they are very effective and your health will improve.
What Causes Diabetes,a Great Possibility is Syndrome X
Thursday, October 1, 2009
posted by chip @ 10:29 AM
Metabolic Syndrome,or Syndrome X ,is a condition now epidemic in the U.S. More than 64 million Americans have the Metabolic Syndrome (roughly one in four adults) and 40% of adults over age 40. Sad to say more and more kids are being diagnosed with the syndrome as well.
If you are diagnosed at having Metobolic Syndrome you are at serious risk of having diabetes and heart disease. Dr. David Herber an expert of UCLA’s School of Human Nutrition , believes that in the next decade roughly 80% of all heart disease will be due to the Metabolic Syndrome, and what causes diabetes type 2 , or both.
There have been guidelines set by the Nationtioal Cholesterol Program , that if you have 3 or more of the following 5 risk factors you probably have Metobolic Symptom.
Below is a list of the risk factors you should take in consideration.
- Abdominal obesity: a waist of 40 inches or more for men, 35 inches or more for women.
- High triglycerides: 150 mg/dL or more.
- Low HDL (”good”) cholesterol: below 40 mg/dL for men, below 50 for women. Most people with the syndrome also have more small, dense LDL (”very bad”) cholesterol particles. (These small, dense LDLs are usually not measured with standard blood lipid profiles.
- High blood pressure: 130/85 or higher (or if you are taking hypertension medication).
- Elevated fasting blood sugar (glucose): 110 mg/dL** or more. (Recently, the American Diabetes Association lowered the cut point for elevated fasting glucose to 100 mg/dL.
An affective approach for treating the Metabolic Syndrome is the most natural one - a healthy diet and regular exercise, argue experts like Dr. Paul Ridker of the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. A healthy lifestyle targets what are often the causes of Metabolic Syndrome: poor diet and excess body fat.
Eat Healthfully
- Eat more fruits and vegetables; cut down on drinking juice.
- Choose lean cuts of meat.
- Rather than frying, bake, broil, or grill your poultry, fish, or meat.
- Reduce the amount of salt in your diet; do not add salt to foods and choose low-sodium foods.
- Cut down on saturated fats.
- Choose whole grain foods (whole wheat bread, brown rice) instead of refined or processed foods (white bread, white rice).
- Eat more fiber-rich foods (beans, fruits, vegetables).
- Eat less sugar.
- Eat less carbohydrates and other starchy foods.
- Limit or eliminate soda and other sugary drinks.
Increase Your Physical Activity
- Exercise a little each day; aim for a total of 30 minutes or more.
- Commit yourself to more physical activity. Join a health club or plan walks with friends.
- Include increased activity into your daily habits.
Natural Health Alternatives social media advertising by iePlexus.com.
Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS).
Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS).