Women’s Health Archives

painful hemorrhoidsCommon Questions About Hemorrhoids

I’m going to talk about something a little tasteless but very important today, and that is hemorrhoids, colonoscopies  and anal examinations.

Many people love to talk about fasting and cleansing, but when I bring up the topic of enemas, colonoscopy and hemorrhoids, many clam up as if I was talking about something horribly obscene.

But I will tell you what is REALLY obscene. Waking up with colon cancer because you either procrastinated getting checked or did not ever think about it. So let’s talk a little about hemorrhoids:

What Are Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are inflamed but typically existing blood vessels around the anus and lower rectum that extend under pressure, much like spider veins in the legs. The higher pressure and inflammation may result from straining too much to have a . Other contributive reasons can include being pregnant, heredity, aging, and chronic constipation and / or diarrhea.

Hemorrhoids are generally inside the anus or under the skin surrounding the outside of the anus. Many anorectal problems, including irritation, itching and swelling have similar symptoms and are incorrectly referred to as hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoid flare-ups usually are not serious or terminal. In most cases, hemorrhoid symptoms should subside in just a few days.

What Are The Symptoms of Hemorrhoids?

Although many people have hemorrhoids, not everyone is going to experience symptoms. The most common sign of inner hemorrhoidal inflammation is bright red-colored blood within the fecal matter, on bathroom paper, or perhaps in the toilet. However, hemorrhoids may stick out from the anus outside the body, becoming inflamed and painful. This is whats called a protruding hemorrhoids.

Symptoms of external hemorrhoids may include unpleasant swelling or even a hard lump about the anus which results when a blood clog forms.

This problem is known as a thrombosed external hemorrhoids. Furthermore, too much straining, scrubbing, or washing around the anus could cause irritation with swelling and/or itchiness, which may produce a vicious cycle of symptoms. Draining mucus may also cause itchiness.

Both women and men commonly encounter hemorrhoids. About half of the populace get hemorrhoids by the time they are 50.

Hemorrhoids & Pregnancy

Females often go through hemorrhoids during pregnancy. Pressure of the unborn infant in the abdomen, in addition to hormonal changes, cause the hemorrhoidal veins enlarge.

These blood vessels are also placed directly under severe pressure throughout labor. For the majority of females, on the other hand, hemorrhoids caused by pregnancy are a temporary problem.

A thorough assessment along with appropriate medical diagnosis is essential whenever bleeding from your anus or blood within the stool lasts for longer than a few days at most. Rectal bleeding might be a symptom of other digestive diseases, including colorectal cancers.

The doctor investigates the rectum and anus to search for swollen blood vessels that reveal hemorrhoids and will also perform a physical rectal probe with lubricated sanitized gloves to feel for irregularities.

More detailed evaluation of the rectum for hemorrhoids requires testing with an anoscope, a hollow, lighted tube helpful for looking at internal hemorrhoids, or a proctoscope, useful for a more comprehensive examination.

To rule out other causes of intestinal bleeding, the doctor may examine the anus and inferior colon or all of the  colon through a colonoscopy. Sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are diagnostic methods which also involve use of tubes of light inserted in the anus. I know that none of this sounds very inviting and, in truth, most of us tend to shun colonoscopy like the plague.

But, I must tell you dear friend, it is better to take a little discomfort and perhaps a bit of a hit on your pride NOW, than to have to deal with something as awful as colon cancer LATER. So, if you have not had a colon examination in more than five years, I recommend that you call your doctor and have one done asap – especially if you are over forty and have had frequent bouts with hemorrhoids.

Regular Juice Fasting can help to keep the body detoxified and the colon clean, which is a very strong preventive measure you can take against hemorrhoids and your health in general. :-)



Tags: flare ups, Medical tests, common sign, appropriate medical diagnosis, internal hemorrhoid

Bell’s Palsy – Origins and Early Warning Signs

The earliest identified case of Bell’s Palsy was discovered in 1882 by Sir Charles Bell of Edinburgh, Scotland. The oncoming of Bell’s Palsy is abrupt and generally devoid of notice. The major symptom of Bell’s Palsy is partial face paralysis or drooping of one part of the face, which is accompanied by pain or overall soreness. Over 40000 people in the U.S. are afflicted by this very aggravating illness.

Although much is still unknown about this uncommon and mysterious ailment, at least 75 percent of Bell’s Palsy incidents are preceded by respiratory system infections.

The onset of Bell’s Palsy frequently mimics what can be seen as a stroke. This is typically because of the face paralysis that occurs. In many instances, the family of the sufferer becomes persuaded that a stroke has occurred when they noticed that one side of the sufferer’s face lags. The possibility of a stroke or tumor should be eliminated before a conclusive medical diagnosis of Bell’s Palsy is made.

Even though the root cause of Bell’s Palsy is unidentified, many hypotheses exist. The commonest explanation is that stress is a key trigger of Bell’s Palsy. This is not difficult to believe because in a lot of cases the episode hits at times of heavy stress and/or emotional discomfort as, for example, amidst financial problems or right-after the passing of a loved one. Different not as likely causes of Bell’s Palsy comprise: Diabetic High blood pressure.

Whether Bell’s Palsy is inherited genetically remains unclear, although it is a probability contemplated by experts. Although steroids are often recommended as a treatment method for Bell’s Palsy, the effectiveness of these drugs is unclear.

The remedies that seem to have the greatest advantage for treating Bell’s Palsy is eye drops due the eye dryness that Bell’s Palsy patients tend to have, as well as their observed inability to blink the eyes appropriately. This is the usually a prelude to the facial paralysis that accompanies this brain illness.

Patients stricken by Bell’s Palsy must learn relaxation skills that will help them to reduce the tension/stress that seems to trigger this infirmity. The majority patients normally show a marked improvement fairly quickly, although in some cases recovery takes in excess of three months.

Sadly, there ARE some who never fully recover from Bell’s Palsy. Although failing to recuperate fully is unusual, it does happen. The greatest way that this ongoing illness can affect a person’s life is in their ability to be self-sufficient as, for example, eating, dressing and drinking from a glass, cup or bottle.

Sufferers could expedite recovery, and assist in the avoidance of a relapse by faithfully practicing face therapeutic massage and facial exercises several times each day. These could be done at home in front of a mirror or anywhere where you can catch your own reflection.

Massage the muscles of the face and become accustomed to making faces as if you were trying to make a child laugh. This is a great workout for the face muscles and will help you to counteract a recurrence.

Look, in this world in which we live, it is often hard to relax and not be a bucket of tension and nerves. But, in truth, is there anything at all that will be that important once we die? Not really.

Therefore, even if you are going through a difficult period in your life, I encourage you to learn to “let go” and just “let God.” All we can do is the best that we can. The end result is often not in your hands, right?


Tags: partial facial paralysis, Congenital fourth nerve palsy, mysterious ailment, ongoing illness, difficult period

Ten Ways To Prevent Breast Cancer

preventing breast cancer

There are solid steps you can take to reduce your risk of breast cancer. Here are my favorite ten!

1. Exercise regularly for the rest of your life with frequent workouts. Numerous studies have proven that regular exercise offers powerful defense against breast cancer.

Strive for half an hour or more of modest aerobic activity (fast walking) five if not more times a week. Consistency and duration, not intensity, are important!

2. Minimize your intake of or avoid alcohol altogether. Alcohol is one of the most well-established nutritional danger signs.

Recent studies have clearly shown that consuming more than a single alcoholic beverage each day can increase the likelihood of getting breast cancer by as much as 25%.

3. Eat a large amount of as often as you can - as many as five or more servings daily are encouraged. Experts in the field of breast cancer prevention indicate that crunchy veggies (broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower) ; darkish abundant greens (collard, kale, spinach) ; celery and tomatoes should be a constant part of the daily diet.

Also included in the list are cherries, berries and citrus like oranges and lemons. Important Distinction: it is most beneficial to eat crunchy veggies raw or lightly cooked because the crucial and health-protecting phytochemicals can be destroyed by high temperatures.

4. Maintain a stable weight equivalent to a Body Mass Index of under 25. Weight gain in our forties, regardless of BMI, has been shown to significantly increase the risk of breast cancer. Additionally, a high BMI continues to be a HUGE risk indicator for breast cancer after menopause.

5. Do not overindulge in fats! The type of of fat in what you eat will impact your breast cancer hazard. Decrease utilization of omega-6 fats (sunflower, safflower, corn and cottonseed oils), fatty foods as well as trans fats. Maximize your intake of omega-3 fats, especially from oily fish (salmon, tuna, sardines and trout).

Consume monounsaturated natural oils (canola, olive oil, nuts/seeds, avocados) as most of your fat source, as these foods possess likely anticancer qualities. Especially, canola oil is an abundant source of omega-3 fats; extra virgin olive oil is a potent supply of de-oxidizing polyphenols, including squalene; and nuts and seeds provide you with the cancer protective mineral, selenium.

6.Take it easy on the carbs. Minimize use of the higher glycemic index, “Terrible Whites” – white flour, white rice, white potatoes, sugar and merchandise that contains them. These food types trigger hormone changes that promote cellular development in breast tissue. Substitute these types of “wrong” carbohydrates with whole grains as well as beans/legumes. Beans/legumes are very good for their high fiber content.

7. Eat natural soy food frequently, including tofu, tempeh, edamame, soy milk and miso. Take in ONLY organic, non-GMO (genetically altered) soy. Research has demonstrated a direct connection between soy usage and decreased risk of breast cancer.

8. Minimize contact with artificial estrogen. Don’t take prescription estrogens except if medically advised. Lifetime contact with excess estrogen is cast as a primary culprit in breast cancer formation.

Additionally keep away from estrogen-like compounds found in eco pollutants, such as pesticide sprays and commercial chemical compounds. Purchase natural fresh foods if you’re able to afford it; otherwise, completely rinse all non-organic foods. Minimize contact with residual hormones present in non-organic dairy foods, meats and fowl.

9. Be sure to take your supplements every day. A multivitamin, 500-1,000 milligrams of ascorbic acid in split doses, 200-400 IUs of vitamin E as mixed tocopherols, and pharmaceutical grade fish oil. Additionally take 200 mcg of the nutrient selenium or eat at least a couple  Brazil nuts as an alternative. If you have a long-term medical condition or take prescription medications, consult your physician first.

10. Sustain a positive mind view. Engage in positive reinforcement behaviors frequently. Develop vibrant, warm and beneficial interactions with friends and family. Sleep five to eight hours nightly.



Tags: HUGE risk indicator, monounsaturated oils, omega 6, breast cancer, soy milk

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is among the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the world. Experts estimate that up to 24 million Americans infected with HPV, and the occurrence of infection and disease seems to be escalating. More than 60 kinds of HPV have already been discovered by researchers.

Several forms of the virus cause typical skin warts.

About one-third of the HPV kinds are passed via sexual intercourse and dwell only in genital tissue. Low-risk types of HPV produce genital warts, by far the most recognizable indication of genital HPV contamination. Other high-risk sorts of HPV cause cervical cancer along with other genital cancers.

Just like most sexually transmitted microorganisms, HPV usually results in a quiet infection, that is, without visible symptoms. One particular research sponsored through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) documented that almost half of the women infected with HPV had absolutely no obvious symptoms.

Because the viral infection persists, individuals may not be conscious of their illness or the the risk of transmitting to others as well as suffering complications. If you are unsure whether or not you have HPV, I strongly encourage you to get tested – especially if you have been promiscuous at any time in your life. This is very important for women who could develop cervical cancer if the HPV is not properly diagnosed and treated. Get check out!

Reprinted from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Tags: National Institute, visible symptoms, sexually transmitted, United States, Infectious diseases

HIV/AIDS Symptoms In Women

Symptoms which could serve as alert indicators of HIV infection often go ignored because most females do not view themselves as being at risk. Symptoms can include recurrent yeast bacterial infections, pelvic inflammatory, irregular shifts or dysplasia (growth and presence of precancerous cells) in the cervix, genital sores, genital growths, and significant mucosal herpes infections could also go with HIV infection in females.

It is possible for a person afflicted with HIV to exhibit absolutely no indicators of infection. For women, the most typical symptoms of exposure to the HIV disease are repeated breakouts of severe vaginal infections, irregular PAP smears, or pelvic infections (PID) that are difficult to treat.

Inside of 2-3 weeks of having been infected, lots of people acquire flu-like symptoms. However, in some cases, signs and symptoms do not appear for quite some time. As the disease progresses, some symptoms range from 1) swollen lymph glands on the throat, under the arm, or crotch region, 2) recurrent fever which includes “night sweats,” 3) rapid weight loss for no apparent reason, 4) continuous tiredness, 5) diarrhea as well as reduced hunger, 6) white-colored spots or abnormal spots in the mouth.

Given that women amount to one of the most rapidly rising segment of the HIV-infected populace in the united states, AIDS prevention is specially essential for women’s wellbeing. HIV is carried through bodily secretions, like blood and semen. Utilizing injection drugs, participating in unprotected sex with someone who has utilized injection, and having multiple sexual partners all increase the likelihood of acquiring HIV.

As per the FDA, the simplest way to protect oneself against HIV is to abstain from sexual activity and use of illicit drugs. For those who have sex, be sure it is with one uninfected partner or use protection such as condoms and dental-dams to protect the tongue during oral sex. Currently, there isn’t any recognized cure for HIV/AIDS. The most effective remedy today appears to be doctor prescribed “cocktails,” or mixtures of medications.

These types of medications incorporate those for antiviral treatment and other drugs, like oral antifungals to fight yeast infections, which fight illnesses that make use of the weakened defense response of those infected. Additionally it is essential for HIV-infected women and their doctors to look out for pelvic inflammations or other sexually transmitted diseases.

Likewise, cancer of the cervix may be more prevalent and progress more quickly in afflicted women; for this reason, females with HIV must have Pap Smears twice a year to be sure cancer tumors are detected and treated early.

Not many women with HIV were included in early research of this pandemic, but in the early 90′s, women totalled 18% of adult contributors inside of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. Studies is focusing on clinical indicators of HIV contamination in women and also on the associations between being pregnant and HIV.

Scientists are investigating “female-controlled” types of protection by developing creams or gels that women would utilize prior to sexual intercourse to be protected from HIV as well as other sexually transmitted diseases. There is no conclusive evidence on the potency of contraceptive tools as a way to prevent infection. Most babies born to HIV-infected women are spared from being afflicted.

However, 1 in 4 do become infected prior or during birth or through breast-feeding, even though nobody is certain exactly when the virus is transferred to the child. Transmission or a lack thereof may also be tied to the mother’s health throughout the pregnancy or birth. There are more viruses during the earliest phases of AIDS compared to the later sates. For example:

Right now, physicians may prescribe the medication Retrovir (AZT) for infected women that are pregnant to lessen the number of children that are born afflicted. The effectiveness of this therapy is increased if the HIV is in its early phases and soon after pregancy.

HIV is passed from one person to another through most types of sexual intercourse (oral, vaginal, and anal) whenever one or both of the partners infected with the illness. Oral sex with no latex condom places you at risk of contact with HIV. It should also be observed that pre-ejaculation fluid can transport HIV also it can be absorbed into the thin mucous linings in the mouth. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) advises that during oral sex, a latex condom ought to be used to decrease danger of exposure.



Tags: pelvic inflammations, AIDS prevention, oral antifungals, defense response, Center for Disease Control

If you want to have clear/glowing skin that is free of acne and/or blemishes, then put away the scrub pad for a while and try a juice fast instead. You will be amazed at the marked results you can get by giving your digestive system as little as three days to expel digestive system waste. Believe it or not, much of what we eat (especially the bad stuff) lingers in our bellies and can fester in the colon for years.

These toxins continually are absorbed into the blood and intoxicate our bodies over and over and over. And one of the organs that gets hit the hardest is the skin. It is not unusual for skin problems such as severe acne and/or blemishes to be caused by chronic toxicity of the digestive system. You can scrub, scrub and scrub… but unless you cleanse your gut, the results will be minimal. Hopefully this article will give you a fresh persective and arm you with what you need to solve this problem and get your skin glow back! Yes, I am a GUY…. but I still like to look good! :-)

By detoxing your colon, you reduce the poisons that leak from the pores of your skin which are the primary culprits for acne. Probably, like most people, you eat three “square” meals per day. That means that you should be having at the very least TWO bowel movements daily – three would be even better. I actually spoke recently to a gastroenterologist and he confirmed to me that, when healthy, we should have one for each meal eaten. BUT, that is usually not the case for most of us.

How many times daily do you go? If you move your bowels just once per day, then you are probably toxic and need cleansing. A lot of those toxins undoubtedly are making their way to your facial pores and causing that acne that you so much want to get rid off. So what to do?

You have to eliminate all of that filth in your colon ASAP! So the first day of the juice fast should focus on exactly that – cleansing the colon. Then, for the following two days, we will fine-tune the cleansing to make sure that EVERYTHING has been expelled and that you have properly and thoroughly detoxified.

Carrying out a 72-hour juice fast is, in my opinion, the easiest method to cleanse the colon, decontaminate the blood and revitalize your skin. However, it is important for you to note: for three days ia a very powerful startingpoint for your healing and transformation.

Still, fasting is NOT a “cure-all” for everyone and, for it to work, you must be willing to make PERMANENT eating-habit changes. Otherwise you are simply fooling yourself. You might be fine for a little while, but eventually what you eat will catch up with you and you will find yourself back where you started. So this DOES require your active participation.

In the book, Cooking for Healthy Healing: Diet Programs and Recipes for Alternative Healing Linda Rector-page,Ph.D., speaks with regards to fasting: “Fasting works by self-digestion. During a cleanse, the body in its limitless intelligence, will break down and burn off just the materials and cells that are sick or unnecessary, such as an abscess, tumor, extra fat stores, and congestive toxins.

Just a reasonably brief fast can speed up eradication of these toxins from the liver, lungs and skin, frequently leading to extraordinary changes as big quantities of built up debris is eliminated. Live foods and juices could virtually grab lifeless matter from your body and carry it away.”

The Day Prior To The Juice Fast

The day prior to the fast, consume a big salad and a couple of pears and/or apples. This injection of raw fruits and veggies gives the body a nice shot of fiber to kickstart the colon cleansing process – loosening all of that tough, toxic stool that clings to the walls of the intestines.

Drink at the very least eight large glasses of water and, if possible, take two-to-three of the Herbs & Prunes laxative that I’ve talked about before. Steer clear of white flour, sugar and anything fried. Today should be a day to eat light and premare yourself mentally and physically for the juice fast.

Day ONE Of The Juice Fast

Carry out this kind of detox on a weekend or whenever you can take it easy and not be swamped by a million things at once. I mean, if you simply CANNOT take time off, then I would say go ahead and do the fast. But it is best if you wait until you can relax and focus on what you are doing without being distracted by multiple ancillary issues. Also, you will need to stay close to a restroom while doing this as you will likely have multiple bowel movements, many of them at unexpected moments and times. You don’t want to be caught unawares! .

To complete this juice fast, you will need these supplies:

* A quart of prune juice, organic is best

* One gallon of apple juice – organic is possible.

* At least six apples, organic if possible

* Seltzer/Sparkling Water to help soothe hunger and detox symptoms

*Decaffeinated Green Tea to help soothe hunger and detox symptoms

Whenever you get up in the am, drink up:

* 8 ounces of prune juice

* 10-20 minutes afterwards drink an additional eight ounces
of prune juice

* 10 mins afterward drink still one more eight ounces of prune juice

* Twenty minutes to one-half-hour later, drink 8 ounces, this time of apple juice

* Twenty minutes to one-half-hour later, drink one more eight-ounce glass of the apple juice

If you have not raced to the toilet by now, I assure you that you will very soon. Take in an eight-ounce glass of apple juice every hour, on the hour for the rest of the day – until 5 or 6pm. If hunger hits you in the afternoon, make yourself a cup of the decaf green tea and sip it.

As far as what you are allowed to have during the day, you can eat three apples or pears in the morning and another three at night – no later than 9pm. This procedure will start to really empty your gut of all of that debris that has kept you toxic and bloated. Do not eat anything after 10 pm. If you get hungry, crack open a seltzer water and go back to bed.

Day TWO of The Colon Cleansing Juice Fast

An alternate way to get the cleansing ball rolling is to use an amazing product called Oxy-Powder. You can purchase the tablets and follow the thirty-day cleanse protocol. So you would take it during the three days that you are juice fasting, and continue to do so until the thirty days are completed. Take a capsule a day for thirty days basically.

On the 2nd day you are able to consume diverse types of juice and you can chomp doen as many as five apples or pears. You may drink any type of juice whether it is fruit or veggie. However, I strongly encourage you to drink a combination of both fruit and vegetable juice. has natural sugar, but it is sugar nonetheless.

You will want to keep sugar content low, and you can do this by mixing the fruit and veggie juice… and then perhaps adding a bit of water as well. When I say “fruit juice,” I am NOT talking about Kook-Aid or any other artificial types that one commonly finds in the supermarket. I am talking about natural organic juices.

Your local supermarket probably has a health-food section. Look there or on the lower shelves of the juices section. This time of premium juice will cost you an extra dollar or two. But that is a small price to pay for your health, is it not?

Day THREE Of The Colon Cleansing Juice Fast

The 3rd day is much like the 2nd one. You are able to consume whatever type of juice you want along with the five pears or apples.

Fourth Day, after the fast is done

Once you have completed the 72-hour juice fast, it is imperative that you slowly and gradually build up your system to take in solid food. If you end the fast with a cheeseburger, then you have wasted your time! :-) Be patient and gentle… patient and gentle. You have done a LOT of cleansing over the past three days and your body is in better shape than it possibly has been in years. Don’t ruin it by eating inappropriately…

Below are a few of the food items that you can start refeeding witht:

* Salad: lettuce and tomatoes with just a tiny dab of EVOO <- extra virgin olive oil :-)

* Baked potato; with just a tiny dab of salt and EVOO. Steer clear of butter or sour cream

* Light soup: Do NOT go out and get the really thick and greasy “chowders” out there or other types of “super-fattening” soups. Opt for light soup like chicken broth, vegetable etc… You can have soup with a little meat in it, but keep the solids to a minimum for at least three to five days immediately after the juice fast.

* Oatmeal, multigrain cereal; I am not talking about the commercial variety which comes packed with sugar. I am talking about natural PLAIN oatmeal. Oat/bran cereal (the low sugar type) is also terrific to help the digestive system right after a fast.

* Fruit salad: these come pre-packaged but can be expensive. I suggest you purchase your choice of apples, pears, strawberries, grapes and bananas. Cut them and mix them together in tuppereware bowls you can simply pull out of the fridge and eat or take with you.

* Fruit smoothie; Pull out the blender and mix some fruit with either low-fat milk or water (and lots of ice). My favorite is lemon/orange/strawberry smoothie. Drink it natural. Don’t pour sugar into it or you are only fooling yourself.

* Yogurt; Avoid those filled with sugar… opt for natural instead. If you like yogurt, you can actually mix some into your fruit salad for an added treat!

Important Note: If you’re sick, feeling under the weather or your defense system is weak, then it is probably best if you wait to do this fast until you feel a bit better. Continue to cleanse your face regularly while doing the fast and, little by little, you will start to notice quite the difference.

I had persistent blackheads on my nose, cheeks and shoulders. After this type of cleansing… they all but went away. Some disappeared right away, others took a few weeks. But detoxing my gut did the trick. I pray and hope that it does the same for you dear friend. :-)



Tags: skin problems, bowel movement, Human behavior, virgin olive oil, severe acne

Salmon: The Healthiest Source of Fat on Planet Earth?

According to the U.S. National Fisheries Institute, the per capita consumption of salmon in America went from less than a pound a year in 1992 to more than 2 pounds a year in 2006. And that’s only an average. Among health-conscious Americans it’s not unusual to eat salmon weekly — or even more frequently. The reason? Salmon is loaded with two of the healthiest fats on the planet: the omega-3 fatty acids known as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). And it’s absolutely delicious here in Broiled Salmon with Tamari-Orange Marinade.

Essential fatty acids were discovered in the early 1930s by husbandand-wife medical team George and Marilyn Burr. The Burrs found that rats deprived of fat developed a number of metabolic disturbances and symptoms, including scaly skin, growth retardation, and reproductive problems. Once fat was reintroduced into the rats’ diet, most of these problems disappeared. This led to the discovery of essential fatty acids, which are fats that are essential for health and that the body can’t actually make on its own — they need to be obtained in the diet.

Even though the two fatty acids in salmon, DHA and EPA, are among the most important compounds in human nutrition, they’re not technically essential fatty acids. Why? Because the body actually can make them from another omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid, which is essential.

But what the body can do and what it actually does do are two different things. Even if you’re taking in plenty of alpha-linolenic acid from flaxseed (which most people aren’t doing to begin with), very little of the alpha-linolenic acid actually converts to DHA and EPA, so you wind up noticeably lacking in these two incredibly important nutrients. And that’s not a good thing at all.

This is especially tragic because it’s so simple to get enough DHA and EPA. They’re packaged together in one tidy food: salmon. DHA and EPA work together brilliantly. And their combined benefits to your health are beyond stunning. Hundreds of studies show that the omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon benefit the heart and the brain, improving both mood and behavior.

DHA Delivers

The first of these two omega-3 fatty acids, DHA, is brain food and is crucial for vision. It’s the most abundant fat in the brain and the retina, and it is vitally important during pregnancy, where it’s linked to the development of the baby’s brain and eyes. DHA is also an important component of breast milk, and it’s well documented that breast-fed infants and toddlers score better on cognitive and visual tests, perhaps because of the DHA.

Both the World Health Organization and the British Nutrition Foundation recommend that infant formula be supplemented with DHA. And in a 2002 study of almost 9,000 pregnant women published in the British Medical Journal, researchers found that the babies of women who ate fish once a week during their first trimesters had more than 3 1/2 times less risk of low birth weight and premature birth.

DHA isn’t just important for babies. In 1998, scientists at the Agricultural Research Service of the USDA found that volunteers who ate foods enriched with DHA showed an increase in HDL cholesterol (the protective kind) and lowered their triglycerides by 26 percent.

EPA Essentials

EPA, the other important omega-3 fatty acid found in salmon, has complementary benefits. The March 2007 edition of the journal Atherosclerosis published a study in which some Japanese men with unhealthy blood sugar levels were given 1,800 mg a day of EPA for approximately 2 years. The men had a significant decrease in the thickness of their carotid arteries along with an improvement of blood flow.

Another study, this one published in the medical journal The Lancet (also March 2007), showed that people with high cholesterol levels who were on statin drugs reduced their frequency of major cardio events by almost 20 percent when they added EPA supplements to their daily regimens.

The Power of the Pair

DHA and EPA are known to be mood enhancers. They incorporate themselves into cell membranes, making the membranes more fluid and making it easier for important brain chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin to get in and out.

They help the brain to repair damage. Both DHA and EPA together are being studied in ongoing research at Harvard University by Andrew Stoll, M.D., for their effect on the depression of bipolar disorder. Also, a University of Pittsburgh study showed that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish such as salmon are associated with increased gray matter volume in areas of the brain commonly linked to mood and behavior.

A ton of studies link low omega-3 consumption to depression, mood disorders, and behavioral problems, including those that are especially worrisome among kids and teenagers, such as violence, acting out, and possibly ADHD. Research by Sarah Conklin, Ph.D., at the Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine Program in the department of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, reported that people who had lower blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids were more likely to have negative outlooks and to be more impulsive.

And in 2001, Joseph Hibbeln, M.D., a senior investigator at the National Institutes of Health, published a study that found a correlation between a higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids (mostly from fish) and lower murder rates!

Another way that omega-3 fatty acids provide health benefits is by reducing inflammation. Chronic, low-grade inflammation is emerging as a major risk factor for a host of chronic diseases, so much so that it was dubbed the “silent killer” in a Time magazine cover story a few years ago. Inflammation contributes to obesity, diabetes, cancer, A

lzheimer’s disease, arthritis, and probably some conditions we haven’t even thought of yet. And the omega-3s are among the most anti-inflammatory compounds in the world. A diet filled with natural anti-inflammatories (such as the omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon and flaxseeds and the many anti-inflammatory compounds found in the vegetables featured in this book) is one of the best preventive health strategies you could possibly follow.

The omega-3s in fish are among the most heart-healthy nutrients on the planet. Even the FDA gave them a “qualified health claim” in September of 2006, stating that “supportive but not conclusive research shows that the consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary .” Don’t be fooled by the FDA’s overly cautious language.

Fish such as salmon is a big component of nearly every native diet that has been shown to be associated with lower rates of . According to Stoll, omega-3s reduce the rate of fatal arrhythmias by 30 percent. “In the alone, more than 70,000 lives could be saved each year if Americans had sufficient omega-3s in their bodies,” he says.

We don’t.

Most of us get a paltry 0.1 to 0.2 g a day of EPA and DHA (that’s one-tenth to two-tenths of a gram!). (For what health organizations advise, see “EPA and DHA: What the Experts Recommend” on page 71.)

Personally, I’d like to see us get a minimum of 0.5 g a day of EPA and DHA, and ideally 1 to 3 g. You can meet the World Health Organization and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (WHO- NATO) recommendations consuming 2 servings of salmon (or other fatty fish such as mackerel) each week.

And if all this hasn’t convinced you of the incredible health benefits of ent meals of salmon, let me appeal to your vanity. Salmon can make look better. Nicholas Perricone, M.D., whose books on skin care have topped the best-seller list on numerous occasions, recommends a “three day diet” for clearing up your skin that features — what else — salmon.

For breakfast even! (Hey, it’s not that weird to the folks fishing through the ice in Greenland!) Actually, Perricone’s “three-day nutritional face-lift” claims your skin the same results that a face-lift would, by eating salmon two or three times a day, accompanied by fresh fruits and vegetables. I can’t guarantee that, but I’m pretty sure you’d look and feel pretty terrific after allowing your skin and hair cells to be bathed in the nectar of those nourishing omega-3s.

How to Cook Salmon

Probably the most important thing to remember when cooking fish is that it will continue to cook after it is off the heat, so you have to remove it before it is done to your liking. As the fish is cooking, cut into it frequently with a fork and look inside to check for doneness.

While most fish taste best when they flake and are opaque, this is not the case with salmon, which tastes best when it’s on the rare side. So when you’re cooking, look for the center to still be translucent. As a general guideline, grill salmon for 7 to 8 minutes per each inch (3 cm) of thickness.

Because of the wonderful healthy fat content of salmon, it does well in many cooking styles, including grilling, baking, poaching, broiling, and pan-frying. Crazy as it sounds, some people poach salmon in their dishwashers!

EPA and DHA: What the Experts Recommend

The World Health Organization and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (WHO-NATO) recommend consuming 0.3 to 0.5 g a day of EPA and DHA.

The 2005 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee recommends consuming two 4-ounce (115 g) servings of fish high in EPA and DHA per week (such as salmon) to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

The American Heart Association recommends 0.5 to 1.8 g per day of EPA and DHA to reduce the risk of cardiac disease, plus 1.5 to 3 g of alpha-linolenic acid, which is found in flaxseeds and flaxseed oil, for even more benefit. The above is an excerpt from the book The Healthiest Meals on Earth by Johnny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
Published by Fair Winds Press; July 2008;$24.95US/$27.50CAN; 978-1-59233-318-9 Copyright 2008 Johnny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.

Author Bio
Johnny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S, is a nationally known expert on weight loss, nutrition, and health. He’s a board-certified nutrition specialist with a master’s degree in psychology, a life coach, motivational speaker, and former personal trainer with six national certifications. His most recent book is the much-praised The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth. His book The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising Truth about What You Should Eat and Why has been endorsed by a virtual who’s who in the world of integrative medicine and nutrition, including Mehmet Oz, M.D., Christiane Northurp, M.D., and Barry Sears, Ph.D.

www.jonnybowden.com

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Tags: growth retardation, premature birth, Salmon Probably, World Health Organization, Joseph Hibbeln

Supplements That Can Help Tighten Flabby Arms

Argetinian Tea Yerba Mate is Known For Helping to Reduce Arm Flab, Known As Bingo Wings

Argetinian Tea Yerba Mate is Known For Helping to Reduce Arm Flab, Known As Bingo Wings

Having bingo wings is not fun. And lots of nutrition companies know this. Thus, the market is flooded with sleeveless snake oil that really doesn’t help. However, there are certain supplements that can make your bingo-wing mission easier. Now they won’t do all the work for you, but they will lighten the load.

So without further ado, here are some supplements that DO help:

1. Argentinean Tea Your best bet here is Yerba Mate. I have not found a more powerful loose leaf tea on the market. This is probably the single best nutritional aid you can take to help reduce bingo wings. Just make sure you start off with small doses.

2.Lung Ching Tea: Also known as dragon well tea, this loose leaf green tea will give you a steady increase in energy without the subsequent crashes that coffee gives. It’s also much healthier for you than coffee.

3. Proteoglycan pills. In other words, Glucosamine Sulfate. It does a moderately well job at preserving your joints. And joint preservation should be top priority because once your joints give out, you can’t get them back.

4. All natural bars. You should never rely on energy bars as your main food source. However, they can get you out of a bind with minimal impact on those bingo wings. The key here is to only have them in emergencies, never let yourself starve.

5. Fish Oil: This supplement is a little tricky. You see, many companies do not list EPA and DHA content, and many people take too much fish oil. All you need is 3 grams. Have more and you risk damaging your heart.

The key to proper supplementation to reduce bingo wings is to have realistic expectations. Please do not assume that any single supplement is going to work wonders. The only exception here is yerba mate since it’s so powerful. Nevertheless, nothing can substitute a balanced diet that controls insulin and intense workouts.

Regarded author, Katherine Crawford M.S., a Harvard exercise expert and recent flabby arms victim, is an expert on arm exercises for women. Figure out how to get sexy and toned arms now by exploring her blog on flabby arms.

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Tags: minimal impact, Regarded author, Tea Yerba Mate, Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, lung ching

Natural Healing Remedies For Common Ailments

Did You Know that Corn Starch Can Heal a Cold Sore?

Did You Know that Corn Starch Can Heal a Cold Sore?

The human body has natural healing abilities. Holistic healing and alternative health care solutions support the body in healing itself. A holistic therapy provides a complementary alternative healing method to standard medicine. Holistic health care includes alternative natural health remedies, like herbal healing, and an abundance of health and wellness products and services. Here are a number of natural therapeutic treatments for you:

ACNE

Acne healing (1) using a blend of
Honey Powder, 8 oz. and
cinnamon powder. Blend them together in equal amounts (about two tablespoons for two to three applications) until they thicken into a paste. Apply directly on acne each night before going to bed. Wash off upon awakening with lukewarm water. Repeat this procedure for two weeks.

Acne cure (2) using a home-made Orange Paste :P eel an orange, break the peels into small pieces, add less than 1/4 cup of water and then mash them together to make a paste. Apply directly on the pimples to treat acne and let sit for 10-15 minutes and rinse thoroughly.

CANDIDA

Candida therapy using Plain Yogurt: You must utilize plain yogurt with no sugar or other ingredients. For Vaginal Candida, dip a tampon in the plain yogurt and insert it into the vagina. Do this two times a day until the Candida is gone. You may additionally rub the yogurt all over the vaginal region.

Not only will the yogurt clear the infected region but will also lend a soothing effect and alleviate itching. Plain yogurt can be utilized on any area of the body. Leave on the skin for nearly an hour prior to washing off with warm water.

COLD SORES

Remedy cold sores by using corn starch – This treatment is good if your cold sores are already blistering. When the blisters bust put corn starch on them to dry them up. It works very well.

ARTHRITIS

The raw potato juice therapy is considered one of the most successful biological treatments for rheumatic and arthritic conditions. It has been used in folk medicine for centuries. The traditional method to prepare potato juice is to cut a medium-sized potato into thin slices, without peeling the skin, and place the slices overnight in a large glass filled with cold water. The water should be drunk in the morning on an empty stomach. Fresh juice can also be extracted from potatoes. A medium-sized potato should be diluted with a cup of water and drunk first thing in the morning.

CONSTIPATION

Constipation treatment using Grapes or Raisins: The laxative properties of cellulose, organic acid and sugar made grapes an excellent laxative to relieve constipation. Eat one or two cups of grapes daily to achieve the desired results. When fresh grapes are not available, raisins, soaked in water, can be used. Raisins should be soaked for twenty-four to forty-eight hours. This will make them swell to the size of grapes. They should be eaten early in the morning, along with the water in which they have been soaked.

HEMORRHOIDS

1. Pomegranate peels can be used to prepare a hemorrhoids remedy, by simply boiling the peels in water. The water must then be drunk, and this practice should be done twice a day. 2. One remedy that is widely regarded is the consumption of figs that are soaked overnight in water. 3. Buttermilk can also be used to prepare another effective remedy. Just add some peppercorns, rock salt, and ginger. Drink this at least twice a day for some quick relief. 4. Another remedy involves crushing black mustard and mixing it thoroughly with a bowl of yogurt. Consume this mixture, but make it a point to chew the mustard thoroughly and wash it down with a glass of buttermilk once done.

These are simply a few natural therapeutic remedies for some familiar conditions. if you see some symptoms of any ailment, seek out your physician and ask if natural healing remedies will fit your condition. To learn more of topics as Natural an Alternative Medicine visit the web site at natural healing remedies. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

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Tags: Hospitality Recreation, health care solutions, plain yogurt, lukewarm water, Holistic health

Hormonal Acne In Women

Nearly Half of All Women Experience Acne Flare-ups During the Week Preceding Their Menstrual Period.

Nearly Half of All Women Experience Acne Flare-ups During the Week Preceding Their Menstrual Period.

You are probably aware that HORMONES are the start of the menstrual cycle. For millions of women, it happens like clockwork every month: cramping, bloating, mood swings, and acne. Experts know that acne is influenced by hormones, but research on the subject has been relatively limited - until now that is!

A recent study conducted by dermatologist Alan Shalita, MD, confirmed that nearly half of all women experience acne flare-ups during the week preceding their period. This particular kind of acne is known as hormonal acne. Hormonal acne may fail to respond to traditional therapies, such as topical retinoid and systemic or topical antibiotics.

There are several hints or clues which can help your doctor identify hormonally-influenced acne. Some of these are: Acne flare-ups preceding the menstrual cycle, a history of irregular menstrual cycles, increased facial oiliness Hirsutism (excessive growth of hair, or hair in unusual places) and/or elevated levels of certain androgens in the blood stream. Any one of these is possible evidence of Hormonal Acne.

While hormonally-influenced acne typically begins between the ages of 20-25, it can strike teens and mature women as well, and is most persistent in women over the age of 30. These patients will usually experience lesions on the lower face, especially the chin and the jaw line. Some may have breakouts on the chest and back, most have blemishes exclusively on the face.

The good news is that this type of acne is usually very moderate and limited to inflammatory
papules and small inflammatory nodules as well as occasional comedones (blackheads). So how does it start? Well, Puberty is where it all begins. Starting sometime before adolescence (around the age of nine or ten) the adrenal glands begin to produce dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), an androgen. Other androgens – the “male” hormones at work in a woman’s body – such as testosterone and dehydrotestosterone (DHT), join in at the onset of puberty. These hormones stimulate the sebaceous glands to secrete more of the skin’s natural oil, or sebum. Naturally, since boys have more “male” hormones, teen acne tends to be more severe in males.

For teenagers acne treatment can be very challenging. This is because their hormones are in a constant state of flux. They may initially respond very well to first-line treatments, such as topical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide, perhaps accompanied by an oral antibiotic. As their bodies develop, however, they may undergo severe hormonal shifts – and stop responding to the current medications. Courses of acne treatment may need to be adjusted more often with teenagers to accommodate these hormonal changes.

There are many women pass into adulthood without “outgrowing” their acne. Others may not develop it until their 20s or 30s, experiencing persistent breakouts the week before their period. Why does this happen? During the course of a normal menstrual cycle (if a woman is not taking any kind of hormonal birth control pill), estrogen levels peak at mid-cycle, then decline as she nears her period. After ovulation, the ovaries begin to produce progesterone, another hormone which stimulates the sebaceous glands. And with the extra oil comes acne.

It is recognized that hormones are usually responsible for acne in a percentage of pregnant women. The sebaceous glands go into high gear during the third trimester, causing oily skin and frequent breakouts. Some women who even experience acne after menopause, when estrogen levels begin to taper off and testosterone becomes the dominant hormone.

What can be done? According to Dr. Shalita, the “wait and see” attitude is particularly ineffective for hormonal breakouts: “Acne that worsens during a woman’s monthly cycle isn’t something that women will grow out of as they get older. Seeing your dermatologist to determine the best treatment plan for acne flare-ups is recommended for the most successful result.

Want to find out more about organic skincare products for Acne in Women? Visit Trish Williamson’s site at The Body Butter Shop for information on Shea Body Butters and Organic Body Butters. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service.

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Tags: hormonally-influenced acne, jaw line, topical antibiotics, facial oiliness Hirsutism, Acneiform eruptions

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