Archive for 'Dietary fiber'

Kidney Stones home treatments – Simple but Effective Cures.

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010 at 10:46 am  
Comments (24)

Whats worse is when you dont have the money for a dear treatment. Nonetheless , early detection of kidney stones will allow early treatment by applying easy, yet cheap kidney stone home-made treatments.

Besides, the majority of the cures listed below will only need your resolution and self- discipline to be handy. Homemade remedies For Treating Kidney Stones : Increase your consumption of bran and oats bran and oats naturally contain lots of fiber. High fiber foods like bran and oats then can help in reducing oxalate levels by binding with these excesses and carries them out of the body. It is suggested that your consumption shouldn’t surpass more than two grams a day.

The over-consumption of these products causes the pH level in your blood to become really acidic. You want to get masses of calcium and magnesium from healthy sources like organic, plant-based vitamins. You also have to beef up your diet with varied sea plants, which are naturally alkaline. It is suggested that your consumption shouldn’t surpass more than two grams a day. These are only some of the cures you can simply follow. Rather than spending so much cash on expensive treatments, it’s way better to avoid having kidney stone issues by watching these kidney stone home cures.

View the here

Tags: Human Interest, organic plant, homemade remedies, self discipline, Dietary fiber

5 Tips for Natural Skin Care

Monday, August 16th, 2010 at 8:03 pm  
Comments (40)

A dry brush exfoliation can be done in the morning before you shower. It eliminates dead skin cells and allows the skin to detox (skin is the largest organ of elimination). Dry brush exfoliation also improves lymph and blood circulation and decreases puffiness. An added benefit is that the gentle pressure is calming to the nervous system. To give yourself a dry brush exfoliation, you’ll need a soft, natural bristle brush. In alternative medicine, good skin is a reflection of a good digestive system. People with skin disorders such as acne, rosacea, and psoriasis often suffer from constipation, imbalanced “good” vs. “bad” bacteria, leaky gut, and other digestive conditions. The two most common sluggish digestion culprits are: Culprit #1: Not Enough Water Water bathes cells and eliminates waste products, preventing constipation. 5 Ways to Boost Your Water Intake Culprit #2: Not Enough Fiber Most people lack fiber in their diets – the average person eats only 12 g of fiber a day. In 2002, the National Academy of Sciences Food and Nutrition Board established recommended fiber intakes. For men aged 19-50 years, 38 g fiber is recommended, and for men over 50, 31 g fiber is recommended. For women aged 19 to 50 years, 25 g fiber is recommended, and for women over 50, 21 g fiber is recommended.

Some suggestions: Add Whole Grains – Choose whole grain products over refined. Have brown rice instead of white or make your own 50:50 combination.
An Apple a Day – Have an apple, skin on, as a snack.
Eat Cauliflower – Try this delicious Roasted Cauliflower recipe!
High-fiber snacks – Snack on nuts, seeds, and dried fruit, such as dates, figs, and prunes.
Try a “Prune Power” Smoothie – Prunes are a great source of fiber. Start your day with this tasty Prune Power smoothie.
Eat Beans and Legumes – Open a can of your favorite beans or legumes. Rinse them well and add them to your meal.
Ground Flaxseeds – For any easy fiber boost, sprinkle ground flaxseeds (available at ) on rice, salads, oatmeal, or any other meal. Store flaxseeds in the fridge. Do you sit at your desk for hours, only getting up to go to the bathroom? One of the best things you can do for your skin, stress level, and overall health is to get moving! Inactivity may affect skin and promote bloating and puffiness, acne, cellulite, and loss of muscle tone. You’ll learn more about exercise in Step 9 of the Wellness Makeover. Here are some quick suggestions: Take a quick break to go outside and walk around the block.
Book a appointment.
Close your door and stretch.
Go to the gym.
Start each morning by stretching.
Get a skipping rope.
Most people do not realize this but excess sugar is considered one of the main causes of premature aging. The more sugar we eat, the more sugar we have entering our bloodstream. Over time, this can result in a process known as glycation, which is when a glucose (sugar) molecule damages a protein molecule by sticking to it. The new molecules formed are called advanced glycation end-products, or AGEs. AGEs damage collagen in skin, cartilage, and ligaments and promote a loss of elasticity. Wrinkles form and skin begins to sag. Try This – It may seem impossible to reduce your sugar intake, but it can be done! A gradual approach works best. In the next week, choose one thing you’re going to do to decrease the amount of sugar you consume. For example, start by cutting the amount of sugar in your daily coffee or tea by half. Every week, find another way you can decrease your sugar intake. Pretty soon, you’ll be surprised at how far you’ve come!
Essential fatty acids are simply fats your body cannot live without. They are needed to make cell membranes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Essential fats are thought to keep your heart healthy, fight inflammation, and possibly prevent cancer. They are also particularly important to people with inflammatory conditions such as eczema and acne, and also for people with dry skin. People with essential fat deficiency sometimes notice bumps on the backs of their arms. Here are my suggestions on getting more essential fats: Flaxseed and walnut oil – Use flaxeed oil or walnut oil with balsamic vinegar as a salad dressing. Be sure to keep these oils refrigerated. They should not be heated or used for cooking.
Cold water fish – Sardines are a good source of essential fats. Salmon is another good source, however these salmon accumulate toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (otherwise known as PCBs) in their body fat during the 95 percent of their lives they spend at sea.
Supplements – Consider fish oil supplements.

Go to the Wellness Makeover.

Tags: grain products, ground flaxseeds, walnut oil, roasted cauliflower recipe, rice salads

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Monday, August 16th, 2010 at 8:19 am  
Comments (43)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive disorder characterized by abdominal pain, cramping, and changes in normal bowel function, including bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.

As many as one in five adults in the has (IBS). It is a functional disorder, which means that there are no structural abnormalities seen on x-ray, endoscopy, or blood tests.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a group of symptoms you have had for at least 12 weeks in the last 12 months. It always involves abdominal pain or discomfort along with two of the following three characteristics: Pain or discomfort relieved by defecation
Change in the frequency of bowel movements
Change in the appearance of stools

Peppermint oil is widely used for . It is thought to reduce the abdominal pain and bloating of irritable bowel syndrome, possibly by blocking the movement of calcium into muscle cells in the intestines and easing excessive muscle contraction there. Peppermint is considered a carminative herb, which means that it is used to eliminate excess gas in the intestines.

Eight out of twelve studies on peppermint for irritable bowel syndrome have found that it is more effective than a placebo.

Although peppermint oil is available in many forms, it should only be used in enteric-coated capsules otherwise the oil can relax the lower esophageal sphincter and cause heartburn.

Peppermint oil, especially in excessive doses, may result in nausea, loss of appetite, heart problems, nervous system disorders, and lead to kidney failure and even death.

Peppermint oil should not be taken internally by children or pregnant or nursing women. Peppermint oil may interact with the drug cyclosporine (used to prevent organ transplant rejection and for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis), so they should not be combined unless under medical supervision. To read more about peppermint oil, go to my Peppermint Oil Fact Sheet

Probiotics are live microbial organisms that are naturally present in the digestive tract and vagina. Sometimes referred to as “friendly” bacteria, probiotics are thought to promote health include suppressing the growth of potentially harmful bacteria, improving immune function, enhancing the protective barrier of the digestive tract, and helping to produce vitamin K.

There are over 400 species of microorganisms in the human digestive tract and the balance between beneficial bacteria and potentially harmful bacteria is important. One theory is that people with irritable bowel syndrome may have an imbalance in their normal intestinal bacteria, with an overgrowth of gas-producing bacteria.

Studies have found that probiotics may be helpful for people with irritable bowel syndrome. For example, a fairly large study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology examined the use of three different doses of Bifidobacterium infantis or a placebo in 362 women with irritable bowel syndrome. After four weeks, the B. infantis dose of 1 x 10(8) c.f.u. was found to be more effective than a placebo at reducing abdominal pain, bloating, bowel dysfunction, incomplete evacuation, straining, and gas.

There are many different probiotic strains, and some may be more effective for irritable bowel syndrome. Another study compared lactobacillus salivarius, bifidobacterium infantis, or a placebo in 77 people with irritable bowel syndrome. Only people who took B. infantis had a greater reduction in abdominal pain, bloating, and bowel movement difficulty. For more information on probiotics, read my Probiotics Fact Sheet.

Partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) is a water soluble, non-gelling fiber that may help to reduce constipation and to a lesser extent diarrhea and abdominal pain in people with irritable bowel syndrome. PHGG also appears to increase the amount of beneficial bacteria, lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the intestines.

One study compared PHGG (5 grams per day), wheat bran (30 grams per day), and a placebo in 199 people with irritable bowel syndrome. After 12 weeks, both the PHGG and wheat bran resulted in an improvement in absominal pain and bowel habits, but the PHGG was better tolerated and preferred.

Food intolerances may play a role in irritable bowel syndrome, possibly by triggering immune responses in the gut, leading to low-grade inflammation and an imbalance of intestinal bacteria.

The most common food intolerances reported by people with irritable bowel syndrome are dairy and grains.

A trained practitioner can supervise an elimination and challenge diet. Many foods are removed from the diet for a brief period of time, then re-introduced sequentially to isolate the body’s reaction to the offending foods. Since grains are a common culprit, it is important to remember that carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth and that chewing grains thoroughly allows amylase, the digestive enzyme present in saliva, to digest the grains.

Pancreatic enzymes have been suggested for irritable bowel syndrome symptoms that are aggravated after a fatty meal.

Hypnosis, or hypnotherapy, has also been used for irritable bowel syndrome.

Tags: stoolsPeppermint oil, irritable bowel syndrome, United States, loss of appetite, lower esophageal sphincter

Constipation

Monday, August 16th, 2010 at 3:34 am  
Comments (47)


With constipation, there is the passage of infrequent or hard stools with straining. Although conventional medicine considers having a every second day normal, for optimal health and digestion many alternative medicine practitioners believe there should be at least one a day.

Some people can develop anxiety about the frequency of their bowel movements and self-prescribe laxatives and strong herbal “dieters” tea to try to have a bowel movement a day. This is strongly discouraged because it can injure the intestines, result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and promote the development of eating disorders. If you are concerned about bowel regularity, see a naturopathic doctor or other health professional.

Most commonly, constipation is caused by lack of fiber in the diet. Sprinkling 1-3 teaspoons of ground flaxseeds on meals, choosing over refined grains, and eating plenty of vegetables and fruits can increase your fiber intake. Simple psyllium powder can also help, however be sure to check the label as many are made with artificial sweeteners.

An ayurvedic herbal remedy called triphala is considered a gentle laxative that can be used on a longer term basis, unlike some of the more harsh, habit-forming alternatives. Triphala is a combination of three fruit, one of which is amla, a fruit naturally high in vitamin C. Triphala improves bowel tone strengthening digestion, and enhances liver and gallbladder function. It is used for constipation, detox, and a broad range of conditions. Triphala is contraindicated in people with chronic liver or , pregnant or nursing women, and people taking blood-thinning medication. It is found in capsule form at the health food store.

If increasing fiber and water intake worsens constipation, the problem may be insuffient bile output. This is because bile makes stools soft by allowing water to bind to stools. Nutritional supplements choline, methionine, and artichoke all increase bile output, but it’s important to see a doctor before trying any treatments to identify the cause of the decreased bile output.

Constipation can also be caused by the following underlying conditions: magnesium deficiency
diabetes
hypothyroidism
Parkinson’s disease
multiple sclerosis
scleroderma
amyloid
colon cancer
side effects of medications – most common are antidepressants and codeine
If comstipation occurs suddenly, see a doctor immediately as it can be a sign of bowel obstruction, nerve paralysis, drug toxicity, infection, or other serious disorder.

Address any change or abnormality in bowel movement with your physician immediately, as it can be a sign of a serious disorder.

Tags: Alternative medicine, gentle laxative, bowel movement, Colorectal cancer, serious disorder

What is a Colonic?

Thursday, August 12th, 2010 at 7:51 pm  
Comments (48)

Alternate Names: colonic hydrotherapy, colonic irrigation, colon irrigation

A colonic is the infusion of water into the rectum by a colon therapist to cleanse and flush out the colon.

After completing a health history form and consulting with the colon hydrotherapist, the client is asked to change into a gown and lie face up on a treatment table.

The colon therapist inserts a disposable speculum into the anus. The speculum is connected to a long disposable plastic hose connected to the colon hydrotherapy unit.

Warm, filtered water is slowly released into the colon. The water causes the muscles of the colon to contract, called peristalsis. Peristalsis “pushes” feces out through the hose to be disposed in a closed waste system.

The client and the colon therapist do not smell the feces. The therapist usually looks at the feces through the clear hose, and may comment on the color.

The client typically feels some discomfort in the abdomen during the therapy.

The colon therapist may apply light massage to the client’s abdominal area to facilitate the process.

After the session, the therapist leaves the room, and the client may sit on a toilet to pass any residual water and stools.

A typical session lasts 45 minutes to one hour.

Colonics and enemas are similar, but there are some key differences between a colonic and an enema.

People get colonics for the following reasons: To remove accumulated waste from the colon
To help prevent constipation
To improve overall health

Health professionals are divided over the use of colonics. The majority of conventional health practitioners do not feel colonics can improve overall health. They believe colonics should only be used before certain medical procedures, such as a colonoscopy, or occasionally for constipation.

Proponents of colon hydrotherapy believe that fecal matter can accumulate and harden in the colon. They believe this buildup of fecal matter may: Prevent the absorption of water and nutrients
Lead to constipation
Allow harmful colon bacteria and yeast to grow
Cause stagnant toxins to be absorbed into the bloodstream through the colon wall (called autointoxication)

Lack of fiber, excess sugar, and a diet high in red meat are believed to contribute to the problem.

One of the earliest proponents of colonics and the autointoxication theory was John Harvey Kellogg, M.D., founder of the Kellogg cereal company.

Many credit Kellogg for the popularity of colonics from the early 1900s to the 1940s among conventional physicians. Kellogg frequently lectured on colon therapy and recommended colonics for many conditions, such as depression and arthritis.

As laxatives grew in popularity, colonics became less popular. Also, the lack of published evidence on the benefits of colonics contributed to its decline.

Today, some alternative practitioners continue to recommend colonics. It has become popular again, and many people seek colon therapy for detox and colon cleansing and to improve health and wellbeing.

Consult your primary care provider before having a colonic. People with certain conditions, such as diverticular disease, ulcerative colitis, , severe hemorrhoids, blood vessel disease, congestive heart failure, , severe anemia, , gastrointestinal cancer, recent colon surgery, and intestinal tumors should not have a colonic.

Pregnant women should not have a colonic as it may stimulate uterine contractions.

Side effects of colonics may include nausea and fatigue after the session, which can last for several hours.

Although infrequent, complications may include perforation of the abdominal wall, electrolyte imbalance, and heart failure caused by excessive absorption of water.

After a colonic, the client is usually encouraged to take supplements containing friendly colon bacteria, called probiotics.

Refrain from eating prior to a session.

Look for a colon hydrotherapist certified by the International Association for Colon Hydrotherapy.


Sources
Norlela S, Izham C, Khalid BA. Colonic irrigation-induced hyponatremia. Malays J Pathol. 2004 Dec;26(2):117-8.

Tags: conventional health, filtered water, colon surgery, colon hydrotherapist, diverticular disease

What is a Detox Diet?

Thursday, August 12th, 2010 at 3:40 pm  
Comments (38)

Detox, short for detoxification, is the body’s natural, ongoing process of neutralizing or eliminating toxins from the body. Toxins (anything that can potentially harm body tissue) are transformed chemically to less harmful compounds and excreted via stools or urine.

Sources of toxins include those produced in the body during normal functions, such as the ammonia produced during the breakdown of protein, and chemicals such as pesticides, household cleaners, food additives, drugs, pollution, cigarette smoke, and heavy metals like lead that enter the body when we ingest or inhale them.

Although detox is primarily thought of as a treatment for alcohol or drug dependence, the term is also used to refer to diets, herbs, and other methods of removing environmental and dietary toxins from the body for optimum health

There are many different types of detox diets. Generally, a detox diet is a short-term diet that: Minimizes the amount of chemicals ingested (for example, by the use of organic food).
Emphasizes foods that provide the vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants that the body needs for detoxification.
Contains foods, such as high fiber foods and water, that draw out and eliminate toxins by increasing the frequency of bowel movements and urination.

A growing body of research suggests that many of the chemicals we ingest daily through food, water, and air can become deposited in fat cells in our bodies. A diet that lacks certain nutrients may also impair our natural ability to detoxify chemicals, which further leads to their build-up in the body.

The cumulative load, called the “body burden”, is thought to lead to illness and has been linked to hormonal imbalance, impaired immune function, nutritional deficiency, and an inefficient metabolism. Signs are thought to include indigestion, bad breath, fatigue, poor skin, and muscle pain.

Some private labs, such as Great Smokies Diagnostic Labs, offer tests that assess urine, stools, blood, and liver function. These tests are not standard medical tests and many medical doctors do not recognize them or consider them valid.

To become more familiar with symptoms alternative practitioners consider to be linked with toxicity, take the Detox Screening Quiz

People often report improved energy, clearer skin, regular bowel movements, improved digestion, and increased concentration and clarity after a detox diet.

Anyone considering a detox diet should consult a qualified health professional and/or their medical doctor first.

Pregnant or nursing women or children shouldn’t go on a detox diet. People with anemia, eating disorder, diabetes, , thyroid disease, autoimmune disease, cancer, terminal illness, certain genetic diseases, and other chronic conditions shouldn’t try this diet or should do so only under the supervision of their primary care provider. It is not intended for alcohol or drug detoxification.

One of the most common side effects is headache within the first few days of starting the detox diet, often due to caffeine withdrawal. For this reason, practitioners often suggest gradually decreasing the amount of caffeine prior to starting a detox diet. In addition, some people opt to take time off work to begin a detox diet or start the diet on the weekend.

Other side effects include excessive diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration and electrolyte loss. Constipation may occur if people consume excess fiber without also increasing their fluid intake. Other side effects can include tiredness, irritability, acne, weight loss, and hunger. Any worsening of symptoms or new symptoms that occur during a detox diet should prompt a visit to a qualified health professional.

If a detox diet is continued for a longer time, it may result in nutrient deficiencies, particularly protein (some detox diets omit animal products) and calcium.

Fatigue, indigestion, cough, muscle pain, and poor sleep can be signs of serious illness. That’s why it’s important to see a primary care provider for a thorough assessment to ensure that any symptoms are not caused by a medical condition that requires immediate treatment.

Continued on the next page…

Tags: Great Smokies Diagnostic Labs, food additives, Body cleansing, heavy metals, autoimmune disease

Do Acai Berry Weight Loss Products Really Work?

Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 2:02 pm  
Comments (62)
Acai Berries Can Help Digestion and The Metabolism.

Acai Berries Can Help Digestion and The Metabolism.

Acai berry weight loss products have been flooding the market lately. But can acai berries really help with weight loss? And, if it is not just a lot of hype, how do they do it?

The answer seems to be that the acai berry helps your body to function better, particularly with regard to digestion and metabolism. It does this because it contains a number of substances that work together to create a greater effect than any one on its own could.

Many people have weight problems because they are not able to digest their food well. They are not metabolizing optimally and not assimilating nutrients from their diet. Acai berries contain a combination of substances which work in tandem to improve the ability to process food. In fact, one of the traditional uses for this berry by the natives of Brazil where most acai berries come from is as a remedy for digestive problems.

One of these components is fiber. One way in which fiber helps is to keep blood sugar from rising too quickly. Most fruits have the opposite affect, as they have a higher proportion of fructose which, as a simple sugar, is often converted to fat in the body. Acai berries, on the other hand, have a much higher proportion of fiber than typical. Fiber also aids in waste elimination and in suppression of the appetite.

Healthy fatty acids, such as Omegas, are also present in large amounts in acai berries. These acids not only get the metabolism going, they also add to the suppression of the appetite.

The building blocks of proteins, amino acids, are also present in acai berries. These help the body to build muscle, which in turn helps to burn fat more effectively. More calories are burned while the body is resting and the metabolism works at a consistently higher rate.

Probably the most commonly discussed components in acai berries are the antioxidants. Not only are antioxidants believed to help protect the body against the effects of age and stress, they also boost levels of stamina and energy. People often feel sluggish as they begin to change their diets. However, the energy boost of this berry is considered to be so high, that many Brazilian athletes use it to improve their performance.

If you decide to give acai berry weight loss products a try, be sure to look at what other ingredients are added, if any. For example, there are sometimes additional substances in these products, such as caffeine, guarana and others that are known to speed up the metabolism. They can help with weight loss, however, there may be other side effects for some people that should be considered.

Undoubtedly, more research will continue to be done on the ability of acai berries to help in weight loss. In the meantime, there seem to be an infinite number of people stating that they have had incredible results from using acai berry weight loss products. And, at the very least, consuming acai berries is unlikely to have adverse effects.

Considering the above components of acai berries it seems that they may indeed be a good way to get a weight loss program started. Especially when you consider the great quantity of people who have claim to have used these weight loss products to good result. As with any weight loss supplement, the best and healthiest results will likely be had by including a balanced diet and exercise program.


Tags: Açaí Palm, fatty acids, loss products, Berry Weight, waste elimination

SEO Powered By SEOPressor

Fitness Through Fasting Blog is Stephen Fry proof thanks to caching by WP Super Cache