Natural Health Remedies

Having consumed more than your fair share of sweets and savouries over the past month, you may be greeting the New Year, as always, with a need to shed a couple of pounds and trim your waistline, or with resolutions to finally lose weight. Apart from hitting the gym and/or regularly engaging in some physical activity, a healthy diet is essential in keeping your body weight within range. This however does not imply that you follow fad diets which often times do more harm than good. On the contrary, by following some basic principles, controlling what you consume needn’t be unbearable or painful. The following five tips seek to help you in adopting a healthy diet without succumbing to cravings or going long hours without food.

1. Eat small meals at regular intervals. Instead of eating three large meals a day, consume six smaller sized meals at regular intervals. Doing so causes the body’s metabolism to remain active, hence increasing the body’s rate of burning calories and thus avoiding cravings and increases in appetite.

2. Don’t skip meals. Skipping meals causes hunger cravings which eventually lead to over-eating. Since the body tends to crave sweets and salts, one ends up consuming a large amount of sugars and sodium, both of which add to the body’s store of fat. When the body thinks that it is starving, it reacts by lowering the metabolic rate and increasing appetite, leading to overfeeding.

3. Avoid High Fructose Corn Syrups (HFCS) & trans-fats. HFCS and trans-fats contribute significantly to fat storage as well as a host of other health issues. Recent studies have shown that trans-fats, in the form of hydrogenated oils and saturated fat, are the most harmful form of fat introduced into our body. They are present in deep fried foods as well as soft drinks and thus these should be avoided at all cost. HFCS are present in most sweetened products in the market such as sodas, fruit juices, ketchup, sauces, etc.

4. Eat slowly. Studies have shown that the brain takes twenty minutes to receive the signal from the stomach when the latter gets full. If you eat too fast, you end up overeating before the brain has enough time to realize that the stomach has become full.

5. Make sure you have breakfast. As is often times said, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Studies reveal that those who skip breakfast are more likely to gain weight than those who don’t. Not only does skipping breakfast deprive the body of important nutrients necessary for the rest of the day, but also leads to hunger pangs later in the day, which often times results in overeating, leading to weight gain.

Coupling these simple eating habits with some form of physical activity will help in maintaining your body weight without having to resort to crash diets. Incorporating these principles into your daily lifestyle would lead to an improvement in overall bodily health and fitness.

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A particular favorite among herbalists, feverfew is a fairly common garden plant belonging to the daisy family that contains compounds known as sesquiterpenes. Modern research has indicated that these compounds may be more efficacious than aspirin in treating both migraine headaches and arthritis.

How the herb can help

Arthritis – Arthritis is a catch-all term for a number of diseases characterized by inflammation and joint pain. While it can strike at any age, it is the elderly who bear the brunt of the disease as the condition can be very debilitating if not treated in time – the result can be severe joint deformities and intense pain that can adversely affect quality of life as well as mobility. Joint inflammation, tenderness, swelling, and morning stiffness are the symptoms typically associated with arthritis, and these can be either sudden or gradual in onset. Poor diet, viral infections and an adverse autoimmune response have been found to be the prime causative factors.

The mainstream treatment for arthritis involves the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin to relieve the accompanying pain and inflammation, However, these drugs do not cure the problem and may actually impede the body’s immune function. Evidence also reveals that prolonged use of these medications can have grave side effects leading to liver, kidney and gastrointestinal compromise and irreversible damage.

The herb offers an alternative with its main constituent, parthenolide, acting to decrease inflammation and fever by inhibiting the release of substances in the body such as prostaglandins, histamines and serotonin. The outcome is like taking a daily aspirin but without the complications and side effects commonly associated with NSAIDs.

While there are several types of arthritic conditions, there are three common kinds. Osteoarthritis occurs when the joints are prone to wearing out either due to natural wear and tear or injury. Rheumatoid arthritis arises when the immune system attacks body tissues, targeting the joints in particular. Gout is caused by excess uric acid in the blood that is deposited in the joints and causes very painful inflammation. It has been found that people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis benefit most from treatment with feverfew.

Other uses

Besides being a potential treatment for arthritis, the herb has several other uses. It is also utilized to reduce allergies, menstrual cramps, eczema, psoriasis, blood pressure, and fever. It is also used as an insect repellent, a sleep inducing or relaxing sedative, a digestive aid, and an antimicrobial as it inhibits the growth of bacteria such as staph aureus.

What to look for while purchasing

The amount of parthenolide in each plant can vary due to factors like soil and climate, so it is prudent to read labels to find out how much of this ingredient a feverfew product may contain before purchasing it. The product should offer 0.2 5% parthenolide. One survey of these commercially available products showed that the majority actually contained no parthenolide. These were herbs that had been dried. The parthenolide, being volatile, had completely evaporated. Thus the best approach would be to search for preparations that are processed with the least amount of heat. Freeze-dried preparations in capsule form are the best bet and can be found widely in health food stores.

Teisha Mahabir specializes in writing articles about health, diet, longevity and health specialists like Brenda Rusnak. Brenda Rusnak is a health care specialist who writes about health-aging and prevention. For more information about healthy-aging and Brenda Rusnak, check her out on Facebook.

Things to know before choosing to have Botox injections are facts that will better prepare a person for the requirements and outcome of this medical undertaking. A Botox injection clinic will be where the procedure will be performed and should only be done by a qualified individual that has experience and has been researched thoroughly. Cosmetic clinics should be chosen very carefully.

A doctor that is able to administer injections will not only be a licensed physician, but will be board certified by The American Board Of Plastic Surgery. These are the only surgeons in clinic that are uniquely versed in performing any surgery having to do with the face or any other location on the body. This also ensures that the physician has experience and continues to be approved by the board to continue being educated in cosmetic surgery education.

When seeking to have an elective medical procedure such as this, it is important to meet with a professional to be evaluated before hand and to have a chance to ask questions. Medical history is reviewed and time is taken to thoroughly explain the facts concerning Botox injections. Included information should cover benefits, risks, alternatives and reasoning for the proposed procedure. This is followed by the patient signing a consent form.

Botox is a therapeutic agent that was originally used for the treatment for eye spasms and misalignment of the eye, but is also FDA approved to temporarily improve fine lines and wrinkles on the face. It is a good preventative measure to take in the event of early signs of aging. It can also be beneficial to prevent them from appearing in the first place.

There are various areas where Botox can be injected for issues with noticeable crow’s feet and creases. Treatment can be applied to the forehead, in between eyebrows, outside the eyes, transverse nasal area, around the mouth, chin, and neck. Of course, there are special measurements and amount of Botox that must be adhered to when treating any of these areas.

Patients who have had procedures of this kind, report that there is very little, if no pain at all, at injection sites. This is due to the micro-sized needle that is used to properly give the medication. If any feeling is present, it will usually only consist of a minor stinging, burning or slight amount of pressure. All are short lived and barely noticeable, if you are not lucky enough to not feel anything.

After receiving treatment, results will generally take up to three days, but sometimes within three hours. While the medication has time to properly settle, a physician may request that facial movements or expressions be kept to a minimum around the injection sites. They may also restrict laying down for the first four hours following the procedure as well as not bending over.

In short, Botox can be a very wise choice for those who may be bothered by lines or creases that have appeared over time. As with any treatment, there are risks and possible complications that can arise, but one should take time to research the facts to make the right decision for themselves. There is a wealth of information on the internet, as well reliable recommendations that can be made by a professional.

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Fenugreek seeds are widely used in Middle and Far Eastern cuisines, but this spice is relatively unknown in the West. It imparts a distinctive flavor to food but has also been found to have several medically beneficial characteristics.

Traditionally the spice has been used to treat conditions like abscesses and sores through poultices, as well as sore throats and diabetes. Recent evidence suggests it is not just a diabetes preventative but also intensifies normal body processes, especially in connection to athletic performance.

Anti-aging effects of the spice

The spice contains several anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds like superoxide-dismutase, selenium, rutin, quercetin, kaempferol, genistein, and apigenin that help the human body fight the onset of a variety of chronic conditions. Additionally, the spice protects other internally-produced and dietary antioxidants from free-radical damage and imparts key cardioprotective benefits.

Neuro-degenerative diseases – Fenugreek contains trigonellene, a compound that stimulates brain cell regeneration. Research is ongoing into whether this can be useful in preventing diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Diabetic cataract – Diabetics have impaired enzyme function. As a result glucose and metabolites accumulate in tissues including the lens of the eye. In diabetics, enzymes that usually protect against free-radical activity damage the lenses too. Both metabolic activities lead to opacification called cataract. This spice has properties that partially reverse these changes and may be an effective prophylactic against this condition in diabetics.

Hormones – This spice is a rich source of phytoestrogens. These plant estrogens are useful for women with low estrogen levels and are also believed to protect against some types of cancer.

Selenium – The spice contains selenium, which is a vital micronutrient antioxidant that seems to offer protection against cancers of the prostate, lung and colon. Recent studies have revealed that selenium slows the progression of HIV and similar chronic viral diseases.

Overall health – Regular intake of this spice is said to keep the respiratory, nervous, reproductive and neuromuscular systems in good order, and is believed helpful for those suffering from rheumatism and arthritic joints.

Other medicinal effects of the spice

Cardiovascular disease and blood lipids – The spice modulates blood lipid levels and thus reduces atherosclerosis risk. It also acts to decrease blood clotting typically associated with strokes and heart attacks.

Diabetes – This spice is comparable to cinnamon’s antidiabetic properties. It prevents and treats Type II diabetes in different ways. It can lower blood sugar levels by over 45%, and works to set right lipid imbalances in diabetics while increasing the levels of many key antioxidants.

Obesity and heart disease – The seeds are rich in a mucilaginous dietary fiber that regulates post-prandial blood sugar levels. The fiber also delays fat and cholesterol absorption in the intestines. In this way the spice offers added protection against obesity and heart disease.

Gastrointestinal disorders – The seed in powdered form is often taken by those who suffer a lack of appetite, abdominal bloating, vomiting, dyspepsia, worms, and hemorrhoids, It is also said to detoxify the body.

Modern research has revealed that fenugreek offers superior health benefits in comparison to more popular spices like cinnamon and chilies. However, do remember that taking several spices in combination enhances their benefits by raising the efficacy and bioavailability of their compounds, thus boosting anti-aging and general health effects.

Teisha Mahabir specializes in writing articles about health, diet, longevity and health specialists like Brenda Rusnak. Brenda Rusnak is a health care specialist who writes about health-aging and prevention. For more information about healthy-aging and Brenda Rusnak, check her out at brendarusnak.ca.