2011 June : Natural Cures for Common Illnesses

Archive for June, 2011

Fitness Equipment Tips

June 30th 2011 Posted at Other
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For most individuals, doing home exercises using home fitness equipment available in most sporting goods stores, online websites or home television shopping networks is the most convenient method of physical fitness. The pressures of daily living oftentimes make going to the gym almost impossible. To meet the demands of regular physical activity, home exercises are the way to go.

For those who simply want to engage in bodyweight exercises, there’s really not a lot of equipment involved except perhaps for a non-slip mat. However, for those who wish to do workouts with exercise equipment, then purchasing a set becomes a necessity. However, there are a few things that you must consider before buying a new set of fitness equipment.

For starters, you have to carefully evaluate the advertising claims of the resistance training equipment or cardiovascular exercise you want to buy. Some of these products claim to burn off fat with a minimum of effort. Any form of weight loss can only be achieved through proper diet and regular exercise. Some manufacturers may use testimonials from highly-satisfied customers to back their claims. However, this does not necessarily represent a wide demographic. When your fitness level stands at a virtual zero, it’s even impossible to lose weight with minimum effort.
Another important consideration that you need to keep in mind is that the fitness equipment you are planning to buy must have been approved by the Federal Trade Commission and cleared for use by the Food and Drug Administration. This is your guarantee that the product is safe and free of manufacturing dangers when used as intended.
You also have to get the lowdown on pricing and warranties. Make sure that the price advertised covers shipping costs, taxes and other fees. Also, don’t forget to ask for the details of the return policy. Will you be handling the shipping fees should you decide to refund the product when you’re not satisfied? If you’re ambivalent about an exercise tool, it’s better to postpone purchase until you’re completely certain that it’s what you want. Sending it back to the manufacturer when it does not fit your needs may needlessly cost you money.
Finally, you have to look at the company’s customer support services. Nothing else could be more frustrating than calling the toll free number and always getting a busy tone or talking to a representative who does not know anything about the product. Before you purchase a fitness equipment it’s much better to call the advertised customer service hotline first to assess if they are easy to reach or are able to answer your concerns knowledgeably and courteously.

Functionality, safety and cost are all important considerations before you buy any exercise equipment. Only after careful deliberation of all these factors should you finally decide on a purchase. Nothing else could signal waste of money than seeing a stockroom full of expensive elliptical trainers, rowing machines and spin bikes that have been stored to simply gather rust. An exercise equipment is a major purchase. This why you should always make sure that you follow logical judgment before you buy one.

A Natural Way to Prevent and Treat Illness or Disease

June 30th 2011 Posted at Other
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Have you ever wondered why some people get ill and others don’t?

Why some people have Asthma? – Is it because they don’t have enough corticosteroids?
Why some people get Colds or Flu? – Is it because they don’t have enough Cough Mixture?
Why some people have Haemorrhoids? – Is it because they don’t have enough Haemorrhoid Cream?
Why some people get Cancer? – Is it because they don’t have enough Chemotherapy?

Absolutely Not!

The disease or illness is due to something wrong with the cells in your body, but mixtures, creams and drugs are not ways to fix the problem – they generally only cure the symptoms.

You have a cold so you get a runny nose. The runny nose is your body’s natural way of getting rid of the invader or virus. By taking a pill or mixture to stop the runny nose, does not cure the problem… it simply hides the symptom while the virus keeps multiplying in your body. If you don’t have enough natural defenses then the problem will continue and can manifest into other diseases quickly.

Your body’s natural defense is called the Immune System. When the immune system is at its optimum, it can protect you against the strongest of diseases. Your immune system is designed to fight from the inside and is far more capable of understanding what is required to fight a disease in YOUR body than a cream or drug manufactured for millions of individuals across the board.

If your immune system cannot first excrete an invader through mucus via the nose or through your tears, it will send out some things called macrophages to eat the invaders.

If the macrophages do not succeed then B-Cells are sent out by your immune system to stick to the invaders to try and slow them down, so that the macrophages can have another go at eating them.

If that fails, then out come the T-Helper Cells which locate the invaders and point them out for the T-Killer Cells. These are the Big Guns of your immune system and they are really wild and will destroy the invaders as quickly and as fiercely as they can.

If your immune system does not have enough T-Killer Cells at this stage, then the invaders will keep control and your body will be unable to get rid of the disease. This is when most people turn to pharmaceutical drugs prescribed by the doctor.

But it doesn’t have to be that way!

It stands to reason that the most natural thing to do at this stage is to help your immune system by making it strong enough to fight the disease on its own. After all, that is what your immune system is designed for. Remember, the human body was developed long before the first pharmaceutical company.

In today’s world our body is constantly bombarded with chemicals in the water and food supply, toxins, viruses, bacteria and fungi or moulds. It’s no wonder that our immune systems are not at their peak.

So, what can we do that is natural to boost the immune system and make it strong?

Back since the time of the Ming Dynasty the Chinese have been using a mushroom called Coriolus Versicolor as an aid to longevity and in the 1970’s Japanese scientists discovered a special way to extract a powerful substance called Polysaccharide Krestin (PSK) from the mushroom while it was growing. It is so powerful that the Japanese use this as an aid to boosting the immune system in general and for people who suffer from very bad diseases or are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy. In the 1980’s a Chinese Doctor called Professor Yang, discovered an even stronger extract called Polysaccharide Peptide (PSP) and patented his method of extraction. PSK combined with PSP has been used in Asian countries ever since and is a multi billion dollar industry.

It is worthy to mention at this stage that Coriolus Versicolor itself is NOT the same as PSK or PSP and is no where near as strong as these extracts which are derived from the Mycelia stage of the mushroom and not the fruiting body.

In mid 2010 a California based company called inLife LLC teamed up with Professor Yang for the exclusive license to manufacture in the United States, the brand product called inForce Immune Builder. inForce Immune Builder contains PSK and PSP and is sold in bottles with 60 vegetarian capsules of 450mg. It is sold as a dietary supplement direct from the Internet and is now available in many countries throughout the world.

So, who should take inForce Immune Builder?

Firstly, most illnesses or diseases can be linked to a weakened immune system, so anyone who wants to maintain a healthy immune system should take inForce.

Is it safe for children?

Yes, and ideal for keeping a child or young person’s immune system strong to protect against the viruses that seem to go around pre schools, colleges and universities.

You may be asking, where’s the proof?

Coriolus Versicolor and the PSK & PSP extracts are probably the most researched natural product in the world With over 400 independant clinical studies from some of the top hospitals and universities in the world.

Now you know the facts, you owe it to yourself and your family to do the research on PSK & PSP. Believe me when I say that everyone should be taking inForce Immune Builder. It is truly the natural way to prevent or treat illnesses or diseases in your body.

Dealing With Anxiety: Natural Remedies

June 23rd 2011 Posted at Mental Health
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There are many different ways one can be stressed which causes anxiety and feelings of anger or frustration. It can be a personal conflict, another person’s problems, or maybe your boss or coworker that gets on your nerves. It can also come from money problems or even a chemical cause like for example the use of alcohol, caffeine, drugs, diet pills, ADHD medications, medication for asthma, or even nicotine from smoking. You also might be deficient on a certain vitamin. For example not having enough vitamin B12 in your body can also help lead to stress and anxiety. There is also the possibility that you might have PTSD (Posttraumatic stress disorder) from different traumatic events too.

Dealing with anxiety can be a challenge you definitely want to make sure you do something about it. You would not want to wait until it gets worse, making you feel like there’s nothing else you can do. So it’s best to quickly address the problem. If it’s a substance abuse like caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol you’ll want to address that and your best option would be to cut them out. For instance, you might not have as much caffeine as normal and replace it with something like ginseng that gives you energy but doesn’t cause the anxiety crash. In addition it’s always a good idea to consult a doctor first to see what options they give you in addressing it.

When you talk to your doctor, they might prescribe medication to try and help your anxiety. This could be an antidepressant like Paxil or Prozac. There are other drugs that could be prescribed as well but for example we’ll take Prozac and explain some of the negative things about it. If you have bipolar disorder or mania, diabetes, liver disease, psychosis, seizures, have a history of suicidal attempts or have allergies to fluoxetine or other foods dyes or preservatives as well as breast feeding or pregnant you would want to avoid taking it. It can cause seizures, different allergic reactions, breathing problems, confusion, fast or irregular heart rate, tremors, problems sleeping, unusual bleeding or bruising, vomiting, flu like symptoms or thoughts of suicide. This medicine can also cause a variety of liver problems, which is something they do not list. That is why they make mention to avoid taking the drug when you have liver problems to begin with.

You might want to avoid prescription medication that in many causes has more side effects than just having anxiety. In addition, many of them are addictive and are very hard to stop once you get started taking them. There is no need to fret though, safe remedies are available that can help make you feel less stressed. There is a large list of different herbs and tea’s that can help relieve your stress. Some of these are, Kava kava, Ginseng, Valerian, Ashwagandha, Lemon balm, Catnip, St. John’s Wort, Bugleweed, Chamomile, California poppy, Feverfew, Ginkgo biloba, Hops, Mullein, Passion Flower, Verbena, and Skullcap. All of these come from natural plants and are not chemically produced while some of them might not be good for long term use, most of them are much safer then harsh chemicals that can leave you with an addiction or have more harmful side effects then just being depressed.

Top 10 Fast Healthy Meals for Endurance Athletes

June 22nd 2011 Posted at Diets
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There comes a time in the life of a busy multi-sport athlete (and especially the longer, time-crunched, endurance athlete) when you must eat, it must be a complete meal, and it must be quick.

You see, your body can only support high volume training, proper performance, and immune system health for a limited period of time if all your quick meals consist of microwaved Lean Cuisines, gas station trail mix, and even “all-organic” food bars. You’ll eventually crash. So you have to make a habit of regularly eating fast healthy meals and wholesome foods without heavy amounts of preservatives, salts, sweeteners, and synthetic chemicals, and you have to figure out how to do it without huge sacrifices of time and preparation.

On that note, I’m going to share with you my top ten meals that I rely on in a pinch. That is, when I’ve finished a long ride and have to be at work in 10 minutes, when I’ve gotten home from the gym and need to be asleep within an hour, or when I have just a few moments to make a dish to fuel a workout.

Each meal includes a complete blend of protein and carbohydrate for recovery and energy needs, and while none of these fast healthy meals are as tasty as filet mignon, lobster ravioli, or a fully-loaded chopped vegetable salad, they will fulfill the physiological needs of the busy multi-sport athlete. And since many endurance athletes must consume in excess of 5000 calories per day, here is the added bonus: these are relatively cheap eats with ingredients that are budget-friendly.

In no particular order, here are the top 10 meals that I personally make and have committed to memory as my complete fall-back nutritional options. Hell, some of them don’t even have a name, so I had to make up a title on the fly while writing this article. And if you’re wondering how you can ask me questions about these meals, see the snippet at the end of this article, along with a bonus Paleo meal.

10. Mediterranean Surprise: use some whole wheat noodles, quinoa noodles, orzo style pasta, rice or really, whatever. I pretty much grab whatever type of pasta is in the pantry for this one. Prepare the pasta. When it is finished, stir in a small handful of feta cheese, a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, a handful of raisins, a handful of almonds, and parsley/salt/pepper to taste. As a tasty bonus, you can throw some capers and garlic in. You can make a bunch of this and eat it all week, and if you’re making it right after a workout, you can take your shower while the pasta cooks.

9. Turkey/Avocado Grilled Sandwich. Quick, fire up a pan drizzled with olive oil or butter. Put the bread on the pan and put the turkey on the bread. While all that grills to a nice toasty texture, slice one avocado and have it ready to slap on the sandwich and pack away or eat immediately. I also include sliced tomatoes and alfalfa sprouts on this one.

8. Soup. I call it soup. My wife calls it heated up vegetables with water on top. Whatever. Put a handful of broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and spinach into a pot. For protein, also included cubed tofu (easy to find at grocery store produce section). Pour 1/2 cup water over the vegetables and tofu, and then heat for 8-10 minutes. Stir in salt, pepper, a bit of chicken bullion if you desire, then eat with a spoon straight out of the pot. Or pour it in a bowl if you have time to kill.

7. Dinner Burrito. Just because everyone else calls it a breakfast burrito shall I deem this a dinner burrito. Scramble 2 eggs with 2 tablespoons yogurt or cottage cheese, 1 handful spinach and 1 chopped tomato. Salt and pepper to taste, and then shovel onto a whole wheat tortilla. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and consume.

6. Zucchini Pancakes. In a blender or food processor, blend 1 chopped zucchini, a handful of sliced red onion, a handful of whole wheat pancake mix, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 1 handful parmesan cheese. Pour this mixture onto a grill and make pancakes with it (duh, pour it in a pan and grill 4-5 minutes/side). Season with ketchup. Organic ketchup.

5. Tapas. Lovely little appetizers all put together make a complete meal. I slice 1 tomato and drizzle with olive oil, sea salt, and parsley. I slice one pear or apple and sprinkle with gorgonzola cheese (or any cheese, really). I cover one handful of walnuts with honey and cinnamon. I eat it all, nicely arranged on a plate, or napkin.

4. Big Chef Salad. While 1-2 eggs are boiling, mix onto a bowl or plate two handfuls mixed greens, 2 sliced vegetables of choice, 1 handful raisins, 1 handful walnuts, and a small drizzling of olive oil and vinaigrette. Slice the egg and throw it on top, then salt and pepper to taste. If you need more carbs, crumble whole grain crackers for croutons.

3. Mexican Delight. It’s like the Mediterranean Surprise, but a delight is somewhat different than a surprise? right? Use quick 10 minute brown rice. Just as it is finishing stir in black beans, salt, pepper, and any other creative items from the fridge such as olives or leftover salsa. If I’m not showering while the rice is cooking, I throw 1 chicken breast into a pan, and sprinkle with curry or turmeric (which I guess makes it an Indian Delight) and add that as well. Yum?

2. Power Oatmeal. My favorite, bar none. To one bowl of raw oats, I add 1 tablespoon almond butter, 1 tablespoon yogurt or coconut milk, 1 sliced banana, 1 egg and 1 sprinkling of cinnamon. Also 1-2 scoops whey protein powder if it’s handy. Pour boiling water on top and microwave on high for 60 seconds, or just mix everything together on the stovetop.

Warning: very calorically dense and should be consumed 2 hours prior to or immediately after a workout.

1. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. My signature dessert. Use a small half bowl of plain, fat-free yogurt or coconut milk. Add 1 tablespoon peanut or almond butter and 1 tablespoon dark chocolate pieces or cocoa mix. Close your eyes and imagine you just took it out of that little orange wrapper. For added calories, add 1-2 scoops of protein powder (will make it a very “mousey” texture).

Disclaimer: your spouse and children may not share any affinity for these meals.

BONUS PALEO MEAL: If you’re one of those caveman style Paleo folks, then try this in-a-pinch Paleo meal: grab any meat you can get your hands on, like a chicken breast, slab of grass-fed beef, or fillet o’ fish, throw it onto a bed on spinach, and drench the whole mixture in olive oil, balsamic vinegrette, salt, pepper, and if desired, a bunch of chopped sweet potatoes or yams that you let cook while you were working out.

Grow Naturally With Exercise and Physical Activities

June 21st 2011 Posted at Natural Remedies
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Unfortunately, it seems that those who are short in height face many embarrassing situations and problems in society. The Most common problem they face is the feeling of insecurity. While walking along with a taller person, they feel that they are less attractive or less good looking. Another problem that haunts them is the respect that they don’t get from people. This is the reason why people with short height always lookout for some miracle to happen to help them grow taller naturally.

Previously, many people had the thought that the height of a person stops increasing after reaching adulthood. Even now, this is the case with many people who believe that there is no way for one to raise taller naturally. But this belief is not true since it is really possible to increase height by nature. One who is interested to increase height should have a positive attitude that they can achieve it. It is possible to grow taller naturally without any medications and also side effects. You have to make it work by keeping your mind positive and focused.

According to scientific researches, there is no such guide which demonstrates how to become taller naturally without stressing on the importance of a nutritious diet. In addition to this, it is not only nutrition but there must be a good blend of exercises and good posture that help collectively to grow taller naturally. With all these, one has to have enough rest and proper relaxation. All these will help the person to gain height and also to increase their self confidence.

Exercise is a very important feature in the mission of growing taller naturally. The right exercise and correct postures are important to revitalize the core muscles so that proper support to the spinal cord will be provided. Proper postures are the necessary elements in order to become taller in a natural way. Exercising is a must to become taller without any medications. It is very important to remember that when you are performing specific exercises, you are supposed to perform them in the right manner. It is better to perform them under the guidance of the expert. You have to be regular in practicing your exercise and this will help you in learning how to be taller naturally.

Our body is trained to work on repairing tissues from the intermediate level. This function is performed when the body is at rest especially at night. There is a replacement of dead, dry or old cells continuously in the body. This is the reason why our body needs adequate amount of rest. This rest comes from sleep which will help the person to grow taller without medication.

It Is Possible To Cure Gout Naturally

June 20th 2011 Posted at Arthritis
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Gout is a certain health condition that is characterized by extreme attacks of inflammation in the single joints. This inflammation takes place suddenly and immediately reaches a point of severe and extreme pain and then fades away. Distinctively, a further onset of the attack takes place after a variable period, typically in a matter of months or even years. This condition typically affects a different joint, more specifically that of the lower limb.

When it comes to possible ways to cure gout naturally, you should be aware that when gout is left untreated, the periods in between the attacks tend to become shorter and they persist longer as time goes by. When talking about the possible ways to cure gout naturally, you should also know that leaving gout untreated will cause it to become even worse and tend to affect other joints in the body. There are many ways that you can treat yourself in order to get rid of the pain caused by gout. This includes ways to cure gout naturally.

When dealing with some possible solutions concerning ways to cure gout naturally, the first line of natural defense has always been the use of cherries. This fruit is touted for it anti-inflammatory characteristics that may greatly aid in lessening the levels of uric acid in the body. In addition to this, cherries also keep the uric acid deposits from building up in the joints which will lead to pain due to gout. You may use either fresh cherries of canned cherries and it really does not matter if you make use of a sour or a sweet variety of cherries. The possible idea regarding cherries as a way to cure gout naturally will likely suggest that all types of cherries will be an effective natural gout cure. The suggested amount of cherries to eat in a day is around ten pieces of cherries and up to one half pound. There are also some individuals who prefer to make use of a concentrate made from cherry juice, and this has also been reported to be successful in relieving the pain due to gout.

Increasing the consumption of water is another way for a person to cure gout naturally. This will greatly help in flushing out the extra uric acid deposits and aid in the prevention of kidney stones formation. As a tip, it is suggested that you take in eight glasses or 3 liters of water in a day as a minimum. Individuals suffering from gout should also keep away from drinking alcohol since it tends to raise the production of uric acid and restricts its secretion.

Natural Remedies for Constipation Relief

June 18th 2011 Posted at Natural Remedies
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Constipation is among the most typical digestive complaints within the U . s . States. The standard frequency of going number 2 varies broadly for every person, from once or even more each day to 3 occasions per week. Generally, however, it is possible constipated should you pass a tough, dry stool under three occasions per week.

Constipation may also cause you to feel bloated and uncomfortable and you’ll end up pushing throughout going number 2.

Although constipation can impact anybody, it’s more experienced by women as well as more in above the age of 65. Additionally, it has a tendency to occur throughout pregnancy, after giving birth or surgery, with certain medicines for example opioid discomfort remedies.

Natural Treatments for Constipation

1) Fiber

An eating plan lower in fiber are likely involved in constipation. Insoluble fiber, which passes with the body almost unchanged, gives stools bulk along with a soft texture, which makes them simpler to pass through.

Meals which are full of insoluble fiber include whole grain products, fruits, and veggies. Try wheat bran, brown grain, or wholegrain bread.

Dietary fiber dissolves in water and forms a gel-like substance within the digestive tract. Prunes and figs can be included to breakfast or eaten like a snack.

2) Liquids

Ensuring you drink enough liquids for example water might help many people with constipation. Liquids make going number 2 much softer and simpler to pass through.

Be careful about your use of alcoholic drinks and caffeinated drinks for example coffee and cola drinks, which may be getting dehydrated.

3) Stimulant Laxatives

Many herbal laxatives and “dieter’s teas” are known as stimulant laxatives, or anthranoid laxatives.

They include herbal treatments for example:

– Cascara sagrada
– Rhubarb
– Aloe
– Senna
– Buckthorn

A few of these herbal treatments, for example senna, are approved as over-the-counter remedies for constipation. Whilst they are intended to be short-term remedies, the truth is, people may become determined by them and utilize them for days, several weeks, as well as years at any given time to be able to possess a daily bowel movement.

4) Biofeedback

Biofeedback therapy might help individuals with constipation caused by pelvic floor disorder, an ailment where the pelvic floor muscles don’t function correctly. It occur consequently of conditions for example weight problems, an enlarged prostate, or after giving birth.

Biofeedback practitioners train how you can better coordinate muscles accustomed to defecate. Roughly 70% of individuals have enhanced signs and symptoms after biofeedback training.

Although biofeedback only has been investigated like a strategy to this kind of constipation relatively lately, answers are promising.

5) Probiotics

Probiotics, for example lactobacillus acidophilus, are live microbe microorganisms which are naturally contained in the digestive system. A few of the ways they’re considered to promote health include controlling the development of potentially dangerous bacteria, enhancing immune function, improving the protective barrier from the digestive system, and helping produce vitamin k supplement.

There’s some preliminary evidence that probiotics may improve constipation. For instance, one study checked out the consequence of probiotic beverage that contains stress of advantageous bacteria known as Lactobacillus casei Shirota (65 milliliters each day) or perhaps a placebo in individuals with chronic constipation. The probiotic drink led to significant improvement in harshness of constipation and stool consistency.

Other Tips

Participate in regular exercise. Not receiving enough exercise can result in constipation.

Don’t delay the need. The longer you delay once the urge to possess a bowel movement strikes, the greater water will get absorbed from stool and also the harder it might be to possess a bowel movement.

Overcoming Anxiety With Natural Help

June 17th 2011 Posted at Natural Remedies
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If you would like to defeat anxiety disorder and the next panic attacks you suffer, you may think that drugs supply the best answer. Allow me to share my reasons why I disagree with that idea of utilizing drugs alone to beat panic attacks. It needs to be kept in mind that irrespective of which strategies you decide to try, most strategies have to be practiced daily with a constant effort to be effective.

You might get addicted to the drugs you’re taking to conquer anxiety disorder. Without them, the challenge of anxiety disorder continues. Acidic foods like alcohol, sugar, salt, proteins and dairy items can boost your level of anxiety while alkaline foods like vegetables and certain fruits make you a lot more stable and eliminate anxiety. You’ve got to think about the effect of diet on your level of anxiety. Overcoming anxiety also demands effective stress and anxiety management skills in the short term.

You may be suggested to breathe deeply through your nose or breathe into a paper bag during a panic attack to balance the ratio of carbon dioxide and oxygen levels on your blood. This will bring you back into a more normalized state and calm you down. It will also take your mind off the triggers that caused the episode. Then you can speak with a friend, which may help to get you going to a proper frame of mind before the anxiety struck.

If you are able to regulate your diet and your body, you’ll be able to also regulate your mind and emotions. Most drugs aren’t naturally found in your body so it is important to reduce the amount of time you will be exposed to anti-anxiety medicines. A key method to overcome anxiety relies on changing your outlook to some extent rather than taking drugs.

When you’re taking medication for years the dosage keeps going up to meet the same demand. It could also be tough to get off the medicines despite the fact that you want to. Dependency: Medications can make you dependent.

Many people have buried memories for many years only to find a couple of them escaping in the middle of the night.

They’ve been buried for a long time and become unidentifiable but still hold great influence. Long hidden memories can pop up at any time though they often seem totally divorced from reality. Overcoming anxiety calls for dedicated examination and therapy. Using antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs might assist in the short term as a person is dealing with their troubles through counseling but should not be used for long. Medicines like Diazepam could be used in a controlled way in combination with any number of therapies as a complete to system for overcoming anxiety.

The worst thing that can be done is to ignore the situation and leave it untreated. Such a position can be crippling to relationships as well as self-esteem. By subscribing to behavioral therapy and making the mandatory changes to your life, overcoming anxiety won’t appear to be an impossible job.

Natural Remedies for Depression

June 16th 2011 Posted at Mental Health
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Depression is a disease of the mind. It can be brought about by extreme emotions or through an imbalance of natural chemicals in the body.

As much as there are chemical-based medicines that would help correct this imbalance, alternative and natural therapy for depression is becoming popular as more and more studies are starting to prove the effectiveness of these forms of therapy.

The following are just some of the few effective natural remedies for depression:

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is known for its many medicinal potential, most especially in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Its use would date back to ancient Greece. Researchers believe that the action of St. John’s Wort in treating depression is because of its active constituent chemical, hyperforin, which inhibits the re-uptake of serotonin, dopamine, and nor-adrenaline. Studies are also being conducted on the potential of St. John’s Wort in the treatment of alcoholism. St. John’s Wort comes in capsule and tablet form, as well as teabags, liquid extracts and tinctures.

Omega-3 Fatty Acid. Do you remember grandma forcing you to take that yucky and smelly cod liver oil? Well, it’s because of this important essential fatty acid that is believed to have countless of benefits to the human body. Luckily, today, there are preparations of this wonder drink that’s no longer smelly and easy to swallow. Essential fatty acids are needed by our body for normal metabolism, however it is unable to synthesis it on itself. That is why it is essential that our diet includes rich sources of this unsaturated fatty acid. More common sources are fish, flaxseed, butternut, and black raspberries. Studies have shown that people whose diet is rich in omega-3 fatty acids have lesser incidence of depression. This is most specially recommended to patients with postpartum depression, since antidepressants can prove to be harmful to the baby.

Vitamin B Complex. People suffering from depression are found to be deficient in Vitamin B, most especially that of folic acid. One of Vitamin B’s use in the body is its ability to regulate mental and emotional health. For example, Vitamin B12 is needed in the formation of red blood cells, thus lack of it would mean lack of oxygen possibly to the brain. This would lead to mood swings, paranoia, and irritability among others. Folic acid (Vitamin B9), on the other hand is needed for the production of SAM-e (S-adenosyl-L-methionine). Lack of folic acid could result to forgetfulness, mental confusion, and depression. Although there are many supplements available in the market, natural sources include whole grains, green leafy vegetables, and beans.

SAM-e (S-adenosyl-L-methionine), pronounced as “sammy”, is naturally produced in our liver. This is a compound essential in the transport of what is called the methyl group, which is vital for DNA repair and production. SAM-e is one of the most effective vehicles to transport methyl groups, as such, if our body lacks this compound normal body functions in the cellular level would be impaired. SAM-e is naturally occurring in the body, but as we age, we produce less of this. This is actually a combination of a compound called methionine, which can be sourced from protein-rich food, and another essential compound called the adenosine triphosphate (ATP). SAM-e is widely available as a supplement in capsule form.

Massage Therapy: Types and Forms

June 11th 2011 Posted at Other
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Massage therapy has been around for a very long time. The Chinese first began practicing this unique and calming procedure from as far back as 3000 BC. Back then, lifestyles were much different and people did not experience the hustle and bustle of this day and age. Now, life is very hectic; work, play and sport has provided mankind with aching joints, muscles and ligaments in dire need of help and healing.

With this increased pressure on the human body, people are now seeking ways of relieving physical, emotional and mental stress not experienced before. In order to alleviate these problems, massage therapy has become a modern marvel and a very popular alternative medicine. It is now a very beneficial and effective practise with persons of various ages and class seeking its healing properties. It not only soothes the aches and pains of the body but also helps to relieve stress, anxiety and depression, both mental and emotional problems, leaving individuals calm, refreshed and energized.

Even in the medical field of surgery and prescription pills is massage seen as a beneficial aid to recovery. It is also marked amongst medical peers as an excellent and effective tension reliever. In some ares of the world, massage therapy is seen as an essential part of the medical field. Within massage, there are over 80 different types and forms which encompass a vast scope of therapies, techniques and practices.

Massage was born for several purposes. The most basic of them is to relieve tension and alleviate pain and pressure. Even though there are many types of massages, the process can be easily defined across all. Massage is basically a method of relaxing the muscles and tissues of the body, increasing oxygen and blood flow which results in a decrease in pain.

Massage therapists are licensed practitioners and have studied massage techniques and ethics. They bring about pain relief by exerting pressure on various parts of bodies with their fingertips, palms, arms and elbows in varying strokes. They pinpoint areas of pressure and tension in the body also known as knots and apply techniques to loosen them.

This type of massage is the most basic and is the most common. This massage is aimed at making the joints in the body more flexible by relaxing them. Long strokes are applied to a client’s body and is combined with friction and kneading in order to bring about relief.

Shiatsu Massage is a fairly common type and involves different and recurring pressure exerted to afflicted body parts enabling energy to flow without blockage. Reflexology, also known as zone therapy, is another alternative medicine, and involves massaging the feet, hands or ears in an effort to encourage pain relief in other parts of the body. Thai massages incorporate deep massages and stretching and is usually performed on the floor.

The client is allowed to wear comfortable clothing. Therapeutic oils are not used during Thai massages, as they are in most other types. Client’s perform yoga-like stretches which help to stimulate blood flow and improve breathing. There are many other types or forms of massage each having their own set of techniques and tools.

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