Archive for September, 2010

Natural Ways To Lower Cholesterol

With people becoming more aware of the dangers of taking cholesterol prescribed medications (statins), the need for natural ways to lower cholesterol successfully is becoming more in demand than ever before.

And that’s a good thing. Because we have finally realised that the more natural stuff we put into our bodies, the better our health is. People have changed to eating more organic foods, for instance, because they realise the importance of fuelling the body with natural ingredients.

The same holds true for natural ways to lower cholesterol. Our bodies respond better and quicker to natural solutions.

Now while our body does indeed need cholesterol, high LDL cholesterol, or bad cholesterol as it is known, leads to heart disease, heart attacks, strokes and clots. High triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol are also a concern, as they too can lead to heart disease.

Therefore it is imperative to use natural ways to lower cholesterol safely and successfully. Let’s take a quick look at how that can easily be achieved:

Good Fats
These types of fats are found in certain types of nuts, such as walnuts and almonds, canola oil, olive oil and avocados. These good fats lower LDL cholesterol naturally, but also help maintain good cholesterol levels (HDL).

This type of fat is called monounsaturated fat, and can dramatically reduce cholesterol levels. Choosing goods fats is one of recommended natural ways to lower cholesterol.

Bad Fats
This is a very important step to take action on when you want to naturally lower cholesterol. Simply limiting your intake of bad fats, or saturated fats as they are called, will have a huge impact on lowering cholesterol.

Check your food labels when shopping and be aware of the saturated fat content in anything you buy. The recommended intake of saturated fat per day is ideally 20 grams.

The other bad fats to be aware of are those called trans fats. These are chemically processed fats, and are doubly dangerous, as they not only increase bad cholesterol, they lower HDL cholesterol as well.

These types of fats are found in deep fried foods, fast food, pastries, biscuits etc. Again, check the labelling on anything you buy. Reducing or eliminating bad fats is one of the most successful natural ways to lower cholesterol.

Start Exercising
As HDL cholesterol plays such an important role in preventing the build up of plaque in the arteries, it is important to keep levels as high as possible. Exercise is one of the great ways you can achieve this, and what is more natural than going out in the fresh air and having a walk.

Combining exercise with making changes to what you eat, will not only naturally lower cholesterol, but will also help you lose weight and tone up.

In addition to all of the above, there are natural cholesterol lowering nutrients you can take, that are now readily acknowledged and recognised as being one of the most natural ways to lower cholesterol. They not only naturally lower LDL cholesterol, but also naturally raise HDL and lower triglycerides.

The thing is though, unfortunately these can not be got in sufficient quantities from food to make any real difference. So the only alternative is to use them in a natural supplement.

The nutrients you want to look out for are phytosterols (e.g. beta sitosterol), policosanol, D-limonene, lecithin oil etc. They have an incredible, proven success rate, are all natural, and have no side effects.

Now is your opportunity to make a decision and choose the natural ways to lower cholesterol, lead a healthier life, look and feel great, and all without spending a fortune on prescription medications.

If you are really serious about using natural ways to lower cholesterol successfully, then visit my website today, where I share what I personally used, and continue to use, for outstanding cholesterol levels and fantastic heart health.

Herbal Medicine to Reduce Cholesterol

Herbal teas are not only popular in today’s world but they were being used since ages by our ancestors. The countries like India, China, Tibet were using various herbal teas as traditional remedies for many health conditions as well. There were many herbal teas or infusions to be used as herbal medicine for various purposes.
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In modern world, the herbal supplements market is flooded with various kinds of herbal teas in fancy packaging but the big question is:

Can a tea work like a natural medicine to reduce cholesterol and how much reliable it can be?

What is a herbal tea?

A tea is made from various plants or a parts of a single plant which does not contain the regular tea called “tea plant” or Camellia sinensis.

The tea plant contains nicotine and some natural anti-oxidants but it made from a combination of herbs can be used for various health conditions.

It can be made with fresh or dried flowers, leaves, seeds or roots, generally by pouring boiling water over the plant parts and letting them steep for a few minutes. Seeds and roots can also be boiled on a stove. The tisane is then strained, sweetened if so desired, and served.

Ayurvedic Natural tea to reduce cholesterol and other health conditions

Ayurveda is a traditional healthcare system of medicine in India and utilizes knowledge of herbs to make various herbal blends. There are in fact certain which can be very useful to reduce high cholesterol.

Arjun Tea – A Natural tea to reduce Cholesterol and heart care

Termainalia arjuna is a plant which grows in plains of northern India. The bark of this tree is used by traditional people to give strength to their heart and keep the cholesterol under control. Ayurveda has described this plant to have heart strengthening and cholesterol lowering properties.

In modern times, many double blind placebo controlled trials conducted on the herbal tea of Arjun bark to know its effect on cholesterol and weak heart. The results were extra ordinarily astounding. More and more researches were conducted on Role of tea of arjuna in reducing cholesterol levels and there were again positive results.

It work working as a herbal medicine to reduce cholesterol levels. Now there are a lot of Ayurvedic teas all over the world to work like medicine but this one made from bark of terminalia arjuna works the best.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Natural Remedies

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic inflammatory disorder which attacks tissues, bones muscles, internal organs and synovial joints, it can cause inflammation and damage to cartilages. The exact reason of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown but auto-immune disorder plays an important role in its intensity and progression. Auto-immunity disorder causes immunity system attacking healthy tissues of the body as it does to invading infections affecting joints, internal organs, blood vessels and bones of the body. Rheumatoid arthritis can be a disabling and painful condition which may cause substantial loss of mobility of joints and their functioning, it is more prevalent in women compared to men.

A joint in the human body is a point where two bones meet with their ends covered by cartilages and synovial fluid between them. These bones are held at proper place by the ligaments and muscles attached to these bones help in moving the joints by contraction and expansion. Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation, pain, stiffness and redness in the joints. It can also affect the tissues around the joints and can damage muscles, tendons and ligaments. In some cases chronic rheumatoid arthritis damages cartilages, ligaments and bones causing deformation of the joint. The disease is progressive and damage caused to the joints does not correlate with pain, swelling and stiffness.

The reason for rheumatoid arthritis is unknown though bacterial, viral and fungal infections are doubted for it. Environmental factors and genetics are also believed to initiate this disease in susceptible individuals. The stiffness, redness and swelling of joints are initial symptoms particularly in the morning or after the period of inactivity. These symptoms are accompanied by lethargy, fatigue, lack of appetite, joint aches and low fever. The symptoms of RA are evident when disease is active while they subside on their own or by treatment when disease gets inactive.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease and progression of this disease can cause inflammation to other organs of the body. Voice turning hoarse, drying of mouth and eyes are few problems caused by aggravation of RA. It can also cause swelling in the lining of lungs causing pain while deep breathing, shortness of breath and coughing. Carpal tunnel syndrome, vasculitis and reduction in the number of white blood cells are other problems caused by the progression of RA.

There is no known cure of rheumatoid arthritis the focus of the treatments is to reduce the inflammation, control the progression of disease, improve mobility of joints, strengthening of joints and preventing joint deformity. Usually allopathic treatment treats the problem by anti-inflammatory and pain reducing drugs with other disease controlling drugs and medicines. Alternate treatments are also helpful in reducing pain and inflammation along with prolonging the remissions of the disease. Exercises and therapies are also used to increase joint movement during flares of the disease and controlling joint destruction. Dietary changes and stress free healthy life style also enhances the effects of the treatment. Proper treatment and exercises together help in keeping the remission of the disease long and also it helps in slowing down its progression.

Gout Arthritis Remedies and Natural Treatments

Gout arthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis. It is caused by excess of uric acid in the body which, if it is not metabolized correctly, it piles up in the joints forming small crystals. These crystals quickly provoke and inflammation of the joint which results in pain and swelling. Gout, like the great majority of arthritis forms, is a degenerative and chronic condition. It seems to affect more men than women. Because it is caused by the body’s inability of metabolizing the uric acid, gout arthritis is also associated with kidney problems. Sometimes crystals of uric acid also form lumps around the joints. It is believed that this condition is also genetically inherited. Gout sufferers experience extremely painful attacks because the inflammation occurs fast and without prior notice. As the disease progresses and becomes more and more severe, the attacks happen more often. Gout arthritis is a dangerous medical condition and it shouldn’t be left untreated under no circumstances.

Patients are primarily concerned about obtaining pain relief and reducing the inflammation or, otherwise said, about putting an end to the gout attack. Analgesic effect can be obtained with natural remedies and some herbal supplements have proven their efficacy in providing relief from gout arthritis. Specialists have also noticed a connection between this disease and the intake of Vitamin C. Cherries, blueberries and other red berries seem to fight gout arthritis in an effective way. This is due to the fact that red berries contain a high amount of flavonoids, substances that slow down the collagen destructions. They also contain anthocyanidins, a compound that can be found in bilberries and that lowers the levels of uric acid in the body. 80 mg of extract taken three times a day is going to prevent the forming of crystals in the joints.
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Diuretic herbs, like juniper berry, help the body to eliminate the uric acid and they can also be effective in gout. 500 mg of juniper berry extract should be taken twice a day. Nettle root extract does the same thing and the recommended dose is of 250 mg taken three times a day. There are also available herbal remedies that one can use after the onset of a gout arthritis attack. Massaging the painful joints with St. John’s Wort oil will provide fast relief from the pain. Lavender and rosemary essential oils also have analgesic effects. Natural treatments are always safe and effective in treating gout.

Natural Cholesterol Lowering Herb

Have you ever wondered, with all this negative talk about using statins, whether or not there really is a natural cholesterol lowering herb that actually works? Now while statins do indeed lower LDL cholesterol, they don’t really have much effect on HDL cholesterol or triglycerides. And if you really want to have normal cholesterol levels, you have to deal with total cholesterol, not just one element of it.

The fact is, there is a natural cholesterol lowering herb that actually does work, on all elements of cholesterol – LDL, HDL and triglycerides. And what is it called? It’s policosanol.

Policosanol is a nutrient derived from sugar cane and beeswax. It normalizes cholesterol better than cholesterol lowering drugs, and without any side effects. Heart attacks and strokes have long been associated with high cholesterol, and using a natural cholesterol lowering herb, can reduce the risk of these and other heart related diseases.
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So how does policosanol work? Well let’s take a look:

  • Blocks the body’s synthesis of cholesterol
  • Lowers LDL cholesterol
  • Raises HDL cholesterol
  • Lowers triglycerides
  • Stops the formation of artery lesions
  • Inhibits the oxidation of LDL
  • Reduces the proliferation of cells in the arteries
  • Prevents the formation of clots
  • Improves coronary artery health

It is easy to see from the above list, which is by no means exhaustive, why policosanol has been described as one of the most exciting nutritional finds for some time. Policosanol is definitely a natural cholesterol lowering herb you should seriously consider if you truly want to lower cholesterol and significantly reduce your risk of heart disease.

And combined with other herbs and nutrients like beta-sitosterol, lecithin oil, D-limonene etc., provides you with an amazing blend, that not only lowers cholesterol, but reduces the risk of gallstones and several types of cancers.

Now you are probably wondering, why choose policosanol over all those other herbs being touted as candidates for lowering cholesterol? Simple. All those others, fail to deal with the bigger cholesterol picture. They only tackle one part of it. And that is simply not good enough.

Plus some of them have serious side effects.

You need to use a natural cholesterol lowering herb that will actually benefit you and make a real difference.

Yes, high LDL cholesterol can lead to heart disease. But so can low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides. It is essential that total cholesterol is dealt with to achieve the optimum cholesterol levels for a healthy heart, and ultimately, a healthy life.

If you truly want to make a difference to your total cholesterol, and start to look and feel much healthier, then visit my website today, where I share the policosanol combination I personally used, and continue to use, for healthy cholesterol levels.

Natural Ways to Treat a Gout Attack And Prevent Future Ones

Uric acid becomes a byproduct when food is consumed and processed within the body. Under normal conditions the kidneys work to flush out the excess acid. But when uric acid builds up, it is deposited in the joints of the body where it forms crystal. These crystals aggravate the surrounding joint tissue that leads to swelling and pain. Gout often occurs overnight but may take weeks to disappear.

If you suffer from this debilitating disease, there are some natural methods to treat your next attack and help reduce the length of the attack.

Change your Diet. Fried and fatty foods with trans fat and organ meats are high in purines and lead to a greater production of uric acid. Many gout sufferers are overweight. Losing weight helps normalize kidney function. However, weight loss should be gradual as sudden changes in weight can bring on an attack of gout.

Exercise More. A sedentary lifestyle promotes illness and disease. Exercise increases blood circulation that helps to flush out uric acid before it has a chance to crystallize in the joints. Though many arthritis sufferers hardly feel the need to exercise when in pain, any activity can help alleviate the pain of arthritis, including gout.

Avoid Fructose. High fructose corn syrup is found in many products today, chiefly in soft drinks. But the average consumption of sugar leads to obesity and increase gouty attacks.

Eat more Raw and Unprocessed Food. Fruits, vegetables, fish and high fiber foods work to provide the body with the nutrients it needs to maintain health. Unfortunately, today’s food is highly processed and refined and comes loaded with chemicals and other toxins, a recipe for ill health later in life. 75% of your food should be fresh or raw.

Drink Cherry Juice. If you are suffering from an attack of gout, cherries and cherry juice can help neutralize uric acid. Drink up to 4 glasses of black cherry juice every day. Celery can also help reduce the pain of gout. Dark green leafy vegetables and broccoli help keep the crystals from developing so they can be eliminated.

Eliminate Alcohol. Alcohol only aggravates an attack of gout. While you’re recovering, drink more water to help the kidneys flush out the excess uric acid.

Avoid the use of Aspirin. Besides the gastrointestinal bleeding that can occur, aspirin can raise uric acid levels.

Get on a Kidney and Bladder Cleanse. As today’s world is filled with pollutants and toxins, everyone needs to get on a detox program. Constipation, flatulence and other stomach and intestinal disorders prevent toxins from being eliminated. Gout, arthritis, kidney and bladder stones require a full body cleansing.

Take Vitamin C. Also known as ascorbate acid, vitamin C with bioflavonoids and rutin can help relieve gout pain. Take a quarter teaspoon in water every four hours for the first week. Switch to 5000mg daily for the next month until relief is permanent.

Check with Your Doctor. Your high blood pressure medication can lead to the creation of uric acid crystals in the joints. Allopurinol is commonly prescribed to help prevent the onset of a gouty attack but the drug needs to be discontinued once you are having an attack.

If you are suffering from gout you want to take immediate steps to relieve the pain. But once the pain is gone, you need to keep following these steps to insure you never have a recurrence again.

Dealing With Different Types of Depression Naturally

Always feeling under the weather? Are you moody and lonesome at all times? Do you feel tired and worn out? Are you undergoing prolonged sadness? It sounds as if, you are suffering from depression. To learn more about depression here are some facts that may help you out.

Common signs and symptoms of depression

  • Sleep changes
  • Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness
  • Appetite or weight changes
  • Unexplained aches and pains
  • Irritability or restlessness
  • Self-loathing
  • Concentration problems
  • Loss of interest in daily activities
  • Loss of energy

Types of depression

Depression comes in many shapes and forms. Identifying what kind of depression you have may aid you in dealing with it and search out the most helpful healing.

1. Major Depressive Disorder - This sickness worsens a person’s ability to sleep, work, eat, and function normally.

2. Dysthymic Disorder – a mild but a continuing type of major depression. Among the different types of depression, dysthymia can last for several years.

3. Bipolar Disorder – as well known as manic-depressive disorder or manic-depression. This condition is described by moods that interchange amid periods of elation and periods of depression as well as emotional behavior identified as “mania”

4. Cyclothymic Disorder – a mild but a continuing type of bipolar disorder. A person’s mood alternates between a less severe mania (known as hypomania) and a root depression.

5. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – This state have an effect on people all through definite seasons or times of the year.

6. Postpartum Depression - A type of depression that occurs in women about one week up to six months after giving birth.

7. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder - an unusual kind of depression distressing a small percentage of menstruating women. It is a cyclical condition in which women may feel depressed and irritable for one or two weeks before their menstrual period each month.

How to deal with depressive disorders in a natural way

Fish oil supplements – These kinds of supplements can be a helpful anti-depressant. Fish oils have omega-3 fatty acids which have been known to hold back thoughts of depression.

Take folic acid and B vitamins – Based on research, B vitamins are a natural treatment for depression. Studies have shown that folic acid insufficiency in adults will result in depression. Low folic acid levels can result to a short time of depression.
Exercise – A great workout can help ease depression. A workout serves as a mood enhancer. Exercise may boost the effects of medications by means of aiding the body to take them up well. In addition, exercise supports the creation of endorphins, the “happy mood” compound.

Some Effective Natural Cures For Yeast Infections

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), about 75 percent of American women suffer from vaginal yeast infection at least once in their lifetime. Overgrowth of yeast happens when imbalance in the body systems occur. Let us take a deeper look at what is a yeast infection, its causes, and some natural yet very effective remedies that could fight this infection.

What is Yeast Infection?

Yeast infection, or candidiasis, is an infection caused by a group of fungi or microscopic yeast. Candida has more than 20 species, the most common of which is the Candida albicans. These fungi can be found on all surfaces of our body and on certain conditions, particularly in warm and moist areas, they can multiply rapidly and cause serious infections. Examples these infections include vaginal candida infections, skin and diaper rash, nailbed infections, and thrush.

Causes of Candida

Vaginal yeast infections is caused by the increase of yeast inside the vagina, usually more than the amount of normal bacteria present in it. In cases like this, candida is triggered by prescribed antibiotics against urinary tract or respiratory infection, which eliminate normal bacteria. As a result, yeasts will reproduce, causing irritation on affected areas, especially on the genitals. Recurring yeast infections, on the other hand, may be caused by underlying conditions, such as diabetes, or a result of taking oral contraceptives.
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Why use Natural Cures for Yeast Infection?
Pharmaceuticals can help cure this problem. However, they can cause harmful side effects to some people. Fortunately these days, there are many natural options to curing yeast infections, helping the body rid off this irritating condition.

Here are some natural but very effective cures for candida.

• Apple Cider Vinegar – Apple cider vinegar is a tried-and-tested natural cure for yeast infections since time immemorial. Mix apple cider vinegar with a little water and apply the mixture to the infected area. Since vinegar is acidic and can sting really bad, be sure to dilute it properly. On good tip to alleviate the itching is to add garlic to the mixture.

• Black Walnut – Black walnut is considered one of the most powerful remedies for female yeast infections. It contains potent antiseptic, anti-parasitic, and anti-fungal properties that treat yeast overgrowth. Black walnut also increases oxygen in the blood, stabilizes sugar levels and eliminates fat and toxins in the system. Aside from vaginitis, black walnut is used in treating thrush, jock itch, and other fungal and parasitic infections. The husk of the black walnut has high levels of iodine that fights bacterial infection.

• Oregano Oil – This highly potent essential oil is used as home remedy against almost all types of yeast infections. It can be used either internally or externally and has a warming and stimulating effect. Studies show that oregano oil contains high amounts of carvacrol and thymol. These properties are known for their anti-fungal effects that regulate the growth of yeast. Furthermore, oregano contains high concentrate of vitamins A and C, flavonoids, oleanolic acid and ursolic acid.

• Plain Unsweetened Yogurt – A lot of women have discovered plain unsweetened yogurt as a very useful natural remedy against vaginal yeast infections. For best results, dip a tampon into the yogurt and insert it into the vagina. Leave the tampon for one to two hours. Yogurt has high levels of good bacteria that can help regulate the growth of yeast-causing bacteria.

• Neem Leaf – This herb is a highly effective Ayurvedic remedy known for its powerful anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Neem is a bitter herb containing high amounts of azadiractine and nimbin alkaloids. It is used for centuries as a potent skin and blood cleanser and is very effective in controlling bacteria that causes candida overgrowth. However, pregnant women should avoid taking this herb.
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There are a variety of ways to cure yeast infections but if you don’t want to suffer from the side-effects that conventional medications bring, why not opt for natural cures? There are a lot of them that you can choose from, giving you the promise of getting relief from the discomforts and health risks of candida.

Homeopathy For ADHD

I have read a lot of testimonials about homeopathy for ADHD. One story stands out in my memory because it was a pretty desperate case of a boy running amok in the shopping mall, tearing off his clothes and then behaving like a raging beast, much to the horror of his parents. Well, there was certainly some hyperactive and impulsive behavior there and also of course a meltdown when the parents tried to intervene. The child was exceedingly violent, defiant and hit and began to bite his parents.

They were desperate and went to a homeopath. He prescribed the hyoscyamus ingredient. Soon, the medicine took its effect and the child became calmer, slept all night and was even loving and affectionate again. Actually homeopathy for ADHD has a very high success rate. There are improvements varying from slight to major in about 93% of all cases treated. The fact that there are no side effects at all means that this is a very high rate.

As homeopathy for ADHD treats the whole child, there are improvements right across the board. The central nervous system is soothed and there is calm at emotional and cognitive levels. In practice that means that there is less impulsiveness, better focus and improved concentration. I know that other research projects using homeopathy claim a success rate of 70%.

As regards homeopathic ingredients, the most successful ones used are Arsen iod, Tuberculinium and Verta alb are great at creating a sense of emotional stability.

Homeopathy for ADHD is enjoying great success. This is for many reasons. One is that there are now excellent companies manufacturing these preparations to the highest standards and I know that one is actually made in a FDA registered facility.

Homeopathy has been around for over 200 years and has gained a lot of respect in that time. It has its followers and detractors inevitably. In Australia and in other countries, the number of children being treated has risen and the numbers using psychostimulants has probably fallen by 10%.

As regards homeopathy for ADHD, it can be used in combination with behavioral therapy for ADHD which is a kingpin of any ADHD treatment.

So there you have it. A justly popular type of treatment which is extremely old which just shows that it is safe and effective. Otherwise it would never have lasted so long! I have set up a website outlining some alternatives including homeopathy for ADHD. Why not check it out?

Natural Beauty Tips for Healthy Hair

It is important to care for hair naturally, over colouring, over styling and poor diet are all factors that can be attributed to hair damage. There are a number of factors you can take into account in order to improve the overall appearance and health of your hair, by providing your body with essential vitamins and minerals, leading a healthy lifestyle and following these natural beauty hair care tips, bad hair days will soon be left far behind.

Over washing hair and using to much lather can damage hair. When hair strands are rubbed together, this causes friction, which can cause hair to tangle making it brittle and frizzy. When washing hair, simply smooth a small amount of shampoo down the hair shaft towards the end to prevent fewer tangles. Conditioner can also help to soften the cuticle, by wrapping hair in cling film or a towel this helps to create a warm wet environment, which allows moisture to penetrate into the hair cuticle easily. Leaving conditioner on the hair for 15 minutes and then rinsing with cold water helps to close the hair follicle down, preventing excess moisture to penetrate the hair further stopping frizz in its tracks.

A healthy scalp is essential for healthy hair, problems with allergies, hair products and lack of vitamins can cause the scalp to flake. Supplements that include vitamin A and Essential Fatty Acids are needed for healthy skin and hair, sweet almond or jojoba oil applied to the scalp is a great natural alternative that can be used to help counteract a dry flaky scalp.

Traction alopecia can be caused by over styling, when hair is pulled for extended periods of time or heat products are over used, hair weakens and eventually snaps and falls out. Stress can cause havoc on hair, as stress effect’s the immune system, releasing adrenaline and other stress hormones that stimulate sebum production on the scalp, causing it to become over greasy. Stress depletes vitamin C, an essential vitamin for the absorption of iron, which is a key nutrient for healthy hair. An iron deficiency can have a dramatic effect on hair, causing it to shed and become dull and lifeless. Eating iron rich foods such as red meat, pulses, dried fruit and green vegetables or taking an iron and vitamin supplement would be beneficial if you are suffering from poor hair condition.