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3 Simple Rules Will Help You Unclog Your Arteries Naturally

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Cardiovascular Disease – the buildup of plaque and gradual clogging of the arteries, is statistically the number one killer in the world, with on average 2,200 Americans dying of cardiovascular disease each day! With mortality rates like that, cardiovascular health is one of the most important body systems to maintain and repair. While progressive clogging of the arteries can be caused by diet, genetics and an unhealthy lifestyle, preventing and repairing the damage naturally is not impossible with these 3 sets of rules.

Part 1 of 3: Change Your Diet

1. Cut out foods that clog your arteries, especially foods high in saturated fats and trans fats.

  • Avoid greasy fast food and other forms of junk food.
  • You should also limit or avoid animal fats, like butter and lard.
  • Saturated fat turns into cholesterol when it enters the body. It can solidify and stick to your artery walls, causing them to become inflamed.

2. Eat healthy fats. As a general rule, unsaturated fats are less harmful for your artery health that saturated fats. A few of these unsaturated fats can even take things a step further by clearing out your arteries.

  • Avocados contain 15 grams (5 oz) of unsaturated fat, along with plenty of vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber, folate, B6, and potassium. Eating an avocado every day for one week is believed to drop total cholesterol by as much as 17%.
  • Olive oil contains high levels of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, both of which can help your arteries. Use olive oil instead of butter or other fats when cooking.
  • Nuts are another great source of healthy fat. Almonds are high in monounsaturated fats, vitamin E, and fiber. Walnuts are a great source of omega-3 fatty acid.
  • Fatty fish is also high in omega-3 fatty acid. Good examples include tuna, salmon, mackerel, and herring.

3. Increase your fiber intake. Soluble fiber can bind cholesterol inside the body and drag it away. As a result, your arteries become cleaner and less inflamed.

  • Whole grains, like whole-wheat bread and brown rice, are one of the best sources of dietary fiber.
  • There are a few vegetable sources you can rely on for fiber, as well. Broccoli is a good example, and it also contains vitamin K and calcium.

4. Consume liquids rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants assist the body in protecting itself. Some of the best fluids to drink for your artery health include pomegranate juice, orange juice, and green tea.

  • Pomegranate contains phytochemicals, a special type of antioxidant that can protect the lining of the arteries from damage. This juice can also stimulate the production of nitric oxide in the body, which helps keep your arteries open.
  • Orange juice is high in vitamin C and may help reduce your resting blood pressure. The antioxidants in this drink can also help improve your overall blood vessel function.
  • The antioxidants and catechins in green tea decrease your body’s tendency toward absorbing cholesterol, allowing your body more opportunity to flush out the cholesterol already in your arteries

5. Increase cranberry intake in your diet. Cranberries are powerful internal cleansers. Consuming them can help reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol while raising “good” HDL cholesterol.

  • Regularly eating cranberries can help reduce your overall risk of heart disease by as much as 40%.

6. Drink coffee moderately. A moderate amount of coffee may actually help your artery health, but too much can hurt your heart.

  • Drinking more than two but fewer than four cups each day for more than a decade can decrease your risk of artery and health disease by as much as 20%.
  • Drinking more than four cups each day can cause an increase in blood pressure, though, which can throw off the rhythm of your heart beat.

7. Turn toward foods containing folic acid. Vitamin B is helpful to your overall heart health, in general, but folic acid or folate is a special form of vitamin B that seems to have a direct connection to artery health.

  • One natural food source high in folate is spinach. Spinach also contains a large dose of potassium, and the two nutrients combined can help lower your blood blood pressure. Most dark green leafy vegetables can also boast similar claims concerning folate content.
  • Other good sources of folate include citrus fruits, peppers, and watercress.

8. Use the right spices to season your food. Certain spices can work with your body to help fortify it against threats to your health. Spices specifically beneficial for your arteries include turmeric, cinnamon, and garlic.

  • Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory, so consuming it prevents your artery walls from constricting too severely. It can also help reduce fatty deposits in your arteries by as much as 26%.
  • Taking as much as 1 tsp (5 ml) of cinnamon each day can reduce the overall amount of fat in your bloodstream. This, in turn, helps prevent further plaque buildup while lowering bad cholesterol.
  • Garlic is commonly used to flavor foods, as well, and is believed to lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and remove blood clots. It widens your blood vessels and promotes better circulation.

9. Include foods fortified with sterols. Inside the digestive tract, sterols and cholesterol compete to be absorbed, so consuming more sterols can make it more difficult for cholesterol to stick around inside the body.

  • Foods commonly fortified with sterols include orange juice, margarine spreads, and milk.

Part 2 of 3: Change Your Lifestyle

1. Do more aerobic exercise that will get your blood pumping. Enough aerobic exercise can increase the endostatin found in your body. Endostatin is directly involved in the process of arterial growth.

  • A study performed in 2004 concluded that endostatin can increase by 73 percent after spending 10 minutes on a treadmill going 5 miles per hour (8 kilometers per hour). This effect can last for up to two hours.
  • Swimming, basketball, and jogging are all good forms of exercise to try if you want to get your blood pumping quickly.
  • If vigorous exercise is too much for you right now, though, start by walking at a moderate pace for three hours per week. Make sure that each walking session lasts for at least 30 minutes.

2. Stop smoking. Smoking can contribute to the amount of plaque building up in your artery walls. While quitting the habit will not directly cleanse those walls, doing so will make it easier for your arteries to heal.

3. Lower your stress. High levels of stress can cause your blood vessels to constrict and narrow. When this happens, the narrow space left amidst all the plaque in your arteries only becomes even narrower, making it more difficult for your blood to flow.

Part 3 of 3: Opt For Natural Herbal Remedies

1. Consider taking an algae supplement. Blue-green algae, also called spirulina, can be taken in supplement or powdered forms.

  • Taking as much as 4500 mg per day can help relax artery walls. Your blood pressure may also become normalized, and your “bad” LDL cholesterol can drop by as much as 10%.

2. Try ginkgo biloba. Some studies suggest that this herb dilates blood vessels and reduce the stickiness of blood, which helps promote better blood flow through the arteries.

  • This supplement can be especially helpful in treating leg pain associated with clogged arteries.
  • A good dosage to start with is about 120 milligrams per day. This is a low dose, and you might be able to increase it to as much as 600 milligrams per day if your doctor recommends it.

3. Learn about taking hawthorn. When taken regularly, this herb is believed to help strengthen the heart muscle while relaxing blood vessels. As a result, blockages in your arteries are less likely to form or stick around.

  • Start with a low dose around 160 milligrams, taken in two to three daily doses. If necessary, you might be able to increase this amount to as much as 1800 milligrams per day.

4. Find out about red yeast rice. Red yeast rice is an herbal remedy commonly used in Chinese medicine, but it has received only limited testing within the United States and other Western societies.

  • Chinese studies suggest that red yeast rice can lower “bad” LDL cholesterol and raise “good” HDL cholesterol.
  • Note that this herb resembles some statin drugs and may interfere with the effectiveness of statin drugs, so it is not recommended for anyone currently on such medications.

Note: Always consult your doctor before making any major changes to your diet, exercise, and overall lifestyle. You should also check with your doctor before taking any unverified herbal remedy. For most people, none of the information presented here will pose a health risk, but each person can vary. Moreover, your doctor will be able to work with you to prescribe the best treatment plan for unclogging your arteries.

Source: healthyfoodteam.com

Living Drug for Common Form of Children’s Leukemia Passes 1st FDA Hurdle

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Millions of Americans get some form of cancer. The cost of treating and fighting cancer reaches into the billions of dollars. One source lists the cost of cancer care in 2010 at $157 billion. Imagine how much could be saved if researchers could find a successful way to fight cancer that didn’t require traditional chemotherapy or radiation therapy? Millions of lives could be saved and total healthcare costs in the United States could be lowered enough to almost make a national healthcare system affordable – ALMOST.

Researchers working for Novartis, a large drug company may have made what some are calling the most major breakthrough in cancer treatment in decades. Dr. David Lebwohl heads up the CAR-T Franchise Global Program that developed the breakthrough technology.

The process has been named CAR-T cell immunotherapy and the idea is brilliant. Important immune T cells are removed from a patient. The scientists then genetically modified them so that they would target and attack just cancer cells. Once the T cells have been genetically modified, they are injected back into the patient where they travel through the blood stream to the cancer and attack it. Using the patient’s own T cells to fight cancer eliminates many of the harsh and debilitating side-effects of most chemotherapies and/or radiation therapies.

Many cancer patients will tell you that many of the treatments they undergo are almost worse than the cancer itself. The nausea, weakness, headaches, aches and pains that go with most treatments, often leave cancer patients unable to function. They end up spending hours, days and even weeks feeling sicker than a dog before they feel better.

Dr. Lebwohl commented about the new CAR-T cell immunotherapy, saying:

“It’s truly a paradigm shift. It represents a new hope for patients.”

The FDA Advisory Panel has endorsed the use of the new immunotherapy, which was initially developed to treat children and young adults with B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, that either doesn’t respond to standard treatment of they have relapsed. This form of cancer is the most common cancer that affects children in the United States.

With standard treatment, many children become cancer free, but at some time down the road may suffer a relapse. Others don’t respond to the standard treatment or cannot tolerate it. When this form of leukemia relapses, quite often the standard treatment is not nearly as successful.

The initial study for the new treatment was conducted at 25 different locations on 88 patients in 11 different countries. The patients ran in age from 3 to 23 and all had experienced a relapse that did not respond to standard treatment or they failed to respond to standard treatment to begin with. The drug developed to help genetically modify the patient’s T cells is known as tisagenlecleucel or CTL019, or the ‘living drug’. In the studies, 83% of the patients that received CTL019 saw their leukemia go into total remission.

Dr. Stephen Hunger, a doctor at Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia assisted in the study on the new immunotherapy. He commented about the need for such a treatment, saying:

“There is a major unmet medical need for treatment options.”

Other drug companies and researchers have tried to use similar forms of immunotherapy, but ran into a serious side-effect known as cytokine release syndrome. This is when the genetically modified T cells begin attacking some of the patient’s organs. In some cases, they attacked the brains, causing severe brain swelling and death.

So far in the study using CTL019, only a few patients developed the side effects, but none of those cases were fatal and all of the patients recovered. Dr. Timothy Cripe, an oncologist at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio commented about the drug, saying:

“This is the most exciting thing I’ve seen in my lifetime.”

Dr. Malcolm Smith, associate branch chief for the pediatric oncology at the Nation Cancer Institute, also commented about the study, saying:

“This is a major advance and is ushering in a new era in treating children.”

Since the researchers use a virus to help genetically modify the T cells, no one is sure if there are any long-term effects.

Getting the endorsement of the Advisory Panel, which voted 10-0 to endorse the new drug and treatment, is one of the first steps towards approval of the drug and treatment process. The FDA does not have to always take the endorsement of the Advisory Panel, but doctors and families of patients involved in the study are lobbying for approval.

While the new living drug, if approved, could save billions of dollars in cancer treatment, it’s probably not going to be cheap for patients to get. Novartis has not said how much the drug treatment will cost, but some analysts in the industry are estimating it could cost as much as $500,000 per infusion of the genetically modified T cells. Hopefully, it won’t cost nearly this much and is made readily available to the thousands of kids suffering from this form of leukemia.

Does Your Employee Sick Time Include Mental Health Days?

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What is your employer’s sick time policy and are you honest about using it?

Some years ago, I was an assistant manager for a large retail store and was floored one day when our furniture department manager called in well. He woke up feeling really good and felt the need to go fishing instead of coming in to work, he was buying some beer, picking up his dad and was heading to a lake to go fishing. I admired him for being honest, as he could have lied and said he was sick, but he didn’t, he called in well. The next day, when he came to work, I spoke to him and he explained that he had been very stressed lately and just needed a day to relax and unwind. Our company policy gave me no choice but to write him up with a written reprimand, but I did comment about his honesty and understood his need to unwind.

In today’s world, one could refer to that as a mental health day. Back then, mental health wasn’t really considered to be a concern, at least not nearly as important as physical health, but times are changing and some employers actually allow for mental health days.

Madalyn Parker lives and works in Ann Arbor, Michigan as a web developer. She felt that she needed a couple of days off for mental health reasons. In 2015, she had written about her battle to overcome mental health hurdles at work, so many of her colleagues were aware of her struggles. Like my furniture manager, Parker was honest about why she was taking a couple of days off and sent an email to her team, which read:

“Hey team, I’m taking today and tomorrow off to focus on my mental health. Hopefully I’ll be back next week refreshed and back to 100%. Thanks, Madalyn.”

What do you think your employer would say if you took a couple days off and sent an email stating the same reason that Parker gave?

Her fellow workers accepted her reason for taking the time off, largely because they knew her and of her struggles. The surprise was the response she got from Ben Congleton, the CEO of the company where she works.

Congleton replied to Parker’s email, writing:

“Hey Madalyn, I just wanted to personally thank you for sending emails like this. Every time you do, I use it as a reminder of the importance of using sick days for mental health – I can’t believe this is not standard practice at all organizations. You are an example to us all, and help cut through the stigma so we can all bring our whole selves to work.”

Parker was so pleased with the CEO’s response that she asked to share it on Twitter and he agreed. Once she tweeted it out, she has received thousands of likes and it’s been re-tweeted thousands of times.

Psychotherapist Any Morin gives several reason for needing to take a mental health off. They are:

• When you’re distracted by something you need to address. If you’re behind on your bills and taking a day off to tackle your budget could help you feel as though you’re back in control, it may make sense to take a day to address it so you can reduce your anxiety.

• When you’ve been neglecting yourself.  Just like electronic devices need recharging, it’s important to take time to charge your own batteries. A little alone time or an opportunity to practice some self-care can help you perform better.

• When you need to attend appointments to care for your mental health. Whether you need to see your doctor to get your medication adjusted or to schedule an appointment with your therapist, taking a day off to address your mental health needs is instrumental in helping you be your best.

Why Leaders Should Care About Employees’ Mental Health

It would be wonderful if all employers supported employees’ efforts to take care of their mental health in the same way Congleton did. But clearly, the tweet went viral because most employers wouldn’t have had the same reaction.

In today’s America, more emphasis has been placed on our mental health as much as on our physical health. Do you know if your employer recognizes the need to take a mental health day off as well as a sick day off? If not, you need to find out, because staying mentally healthy can have a direct impact on staying physically healthy.

Shingles and Increased Risk of Heart Disease

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Image result for old people at doctors

Ladies, how many of you had chicken pox when you were a kid or even older? You may or may not be aware that having had chicken pox greatly increases your chances of developing shingles later on in life which can also increase your risk of developing heart disease.

First off, what is shingles?

According to one source:

“Shingles is a condition caused by the same virus responsible for chickenpox (herpes zoster). Over 90% of North Americans are infected with herpes zoster, which means we have been exposed to it and have evidence of the virus in our bloodstream. One out of three people will not get a rash. Perhaps as a child you only had a fever, runny nose, and body aches. But after exposure, the virus travels, hides, and lives quietly in your nerve cells called neurons. Studies suggest that the virus prefers special neurons called ganglions in our upper body that control pain in our upper trunk, chest, and face.”

“Years later, when conditions are right, the virus can “wake up,” reproduce itself, and travel to the skin by way of sensory nerve fibers resulting in an incurable, burning, painful, blister-like rash. Usually, the pain and blisters are on one side of the upper or lower back, chest, abdomen, or face. Days to months prior to the blisters, there is burning pain (like a sunburn), and the rash arrives lasting 7 to 10 days. A more serious subset of the disease, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, affects the face and eye, causing pain and visual problems, and the loss of independent living for older sufferers. The blisters and pain can be treated by pain and antiviral medications, which shorten the course of the virus and help prevent a chronic pain syndrome called postherpetic neuralgia(PHN).”

When shingles develop on the face and around the eyes, the pain can be debilitating and it can interfere with vision and hearing. If the shingles infects the eye, it can cause permanent loss of vision. If there are any open sores that get infected with shingles, it can result in the destruction in the underlying tissue and scarring on the skin. The intense pain from shingles can be persistent, last for months and even years. It can interfere with sleep and many normal daily activities and has been a direct cause of depression in some individuals. If a person with an immune deficiency or a suppressed immune system develops shingles, the rash can become more extensive, last longer and can lead to other illnesses including pneumonia.

Unfortunately, shingles occurs more in females than males, but both are susceptible. Sorry, ladies, but it seems that shingles loves to strike women during and shortly after menopause. Women are also more like to have recurrences of shingles than men.

The older a person gets, the greater chances they have of developing shingles. Some studies have claimed that 50% of the people age 80 will develop some form of shingles. Since the virus that causes shingles is part of the same herpes simplex that causes cold sores on the lips, people who are prone to cold sores are also more prone to developing shingles as they get older.

Some studies also indicate that the development of shingles can increase one’s risk of developing heart disease. Whether a direct cause of the virus or due to the stress shingles puts on the body, including mental and emotional stress, researchers are not sure, but they do believe there is an increased risk of heart disease.

There is a shingles vaccine available at most doctors’ offices and even many pharmacies. It’s highly recommended that everyone, especially women over the age of 50, get a shingles vaccine. Even if the vaccine isn’t covered by basic Medicare, it’s a couple hundred dollars well spent, especially if you are prone to cold sores.

Juice Recipes to Ease Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain

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If you are living with arthritis, there is little that you take for granted. Like getting a good night’s sleep or brushing your teeth, buttoning your pants, tying your shoes… holding your loved ones hand. The acute pain brought on by inflammation of the joints, known as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), is debilitating. The effects, if left untreated, can leave you feeling depressed and isolated.

But you are NOT alone!

1.3 million Americans are affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis. Though it is still unclear as to the actual cause, RA is an autoimmune disease. Your body’s cells mistake your own proteins as  foreign intruders. Immune cells – called lymphocytes – react to this “intruder”, causing the release of cytokines. Cytokines are like chemical messengers that trigger more inflammation and destruction, which affects the synovial capsule and surrounding tissue, causing inflammation. Over time, the chronic inflammation leads to joint damage and deformities, fatigue, loss of appetite and stiffness.

Though there is no cure for RA, there are ways you can make the side-effects less severe. As with most diseases that cause inflammation, a change in diet along with daily exercise is a great start! And adding a juice regimen will help you get back on track to living a normal life.

The following 5 recipes are easy to make with ingredients you can find in your local supermarket. They’re healing and delicious!

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Understand that proper nutrition is vital, even if you are in optimal health. If you are seeking medical attention for your RA symptoms, discuss your plans to include a juicing regimen with your doctor before you begin. 

If you are new to juicing and do not own a juicer, DO NOT be overwhelmed by all of the choices. First, decide if you want a centrifugal (most common, high-speed juicer, creates heat which weakens the quality of the juice, quick cleanup, effectively juices wide range of produce except wheatgrass) or a masticating juicer (slower speed, higher quality juice, juices wheatgrass, quieter motor, additional attachments for smoothies, nut butters).

Once you have your juicer – clear out some space in your fridge for produce. I suggest you make the space by getting rid of foods that are highly processed and high in sugar. You may even want to try an elimination diet.

An Elimination Diet is just like it sounds. You remove certain foods from your diet for 3-4 weeks and then slowly begin to introduce the foods back, one at a time. The ones that aggravate your RA or your gut, you know to avoid. Start removing foods that are known to cause inflammation: dairy, red meat, gluten, soy, corn and nightshade vegetables (tomato, potato, mushrooms, eggplants, peppers).

Toxins in our environment and in our food supply can also increase inflammation and it is best to go organic when available. Refer to the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 list to know which conventional foods contain the highest amount of toxins and which are the cleanest choices.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Benefits of juicing can be noticed immediately. More energy, heightened sense of awareness and mental clarity, digestive regularity, just to name a few. Inflammation and relief from pain associated with RA can take upwards of 6 weeks before you begin to feel noticeable differences. Be patient and be consistent!

READY… SET… JUICE!

The following are recipes that are high in antioxidants, Vitamin C and Beta Carotene. They are proven to help your body decrease inflammation and make you feel awesome! An extra bonus – juicing daily helps to rehydrate skin, making you look younger, brighter and more refreshed. If that doesn’t sell you alone, then keep reading!

HOLY BASIL WATER

Ingredients
  • Basil – 3 sprigs
  • Blueberries – 1.5 cups
  • Lime – ½
  • Cayenne Pepper – 1 dash
  • Watermelon – 5 cups

Instructions

1. Prepare everything.

2. Add every ingredient into the blender.

3. Transfer to a clean, glass container.

4. Drink and enjoy!

Notes
Watermelon is an anti-inflammatory powerhouse because of its high content of beta carotene and vitamin C. Add the antioxidants in the superfood, blueberries and you have a “mocktail” that is sure to get you feeling and looking your best in no time.

TURMERIC SUNRISE

Ingredients
  • Apple – 2
  • Celery – 3 stalks
  • Carrot – 3
  • Lemon – 2 peeled
  • Ginger Root – 1 inch knob, peeled
  • Pear – 2
  • Turmeric Root – 4 inch, fresh root

Instructions

1. Prepare every ingredient.

2. Add everything into the juicer. (Note: Peeling is not needed when using organic produce)

3. Add everything to the juicer, extracting the juices properly.

4. Transfer to a clean, glass container.

5. Drink and enjoy!

Notes
Unlike the tequila sunrise, this is one you can drink and feel good about in the morning! Ginger is a well known anti-inflammatory, as is turmeric. But so is pear. Combine the effects of Vitamin C and Beta Carotene, this concoction will have you running off into the sunset, feeling like a million bucks!

BEGINNER’S GREEN

Ingredients
  • Apples – 3
  • Celery – 4 stalks
  • Ginger – ¼ inch knob, peeled
  • Lemon (with rind)
  • Orange – 1 peeled
  • Spinach – 5 handfuls

Instructions

1. Prepare every ingredient.

2. Add everything into the juicer. (Note: Peeling is not needed when using organic produce)

3. Add everything to the juicer, extracting the juices properly.

4. Transfer to a clean, glass container.

5.Drink and enjoy!

Notes
Delicious blend of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory goodness in every drop. This drink is perfect for newbies who are looking for baby steps.

MINT APPLEBERRY

Ingredients
  • Blueberries – 1 cup
  • Kiwifruit – 2 cups
  • Peppermint – 30 leaves
  • Strawberry – 1 cup
Instructions
1. Prepare everything.
2. Add every ingredient into the blender.
3. Transfer to a clean, glass container.
4. Drink and enjoy!

Notes
Not only is this drink the perfect thing for an afternoon in the sun, the antioxidant power of blueberries combines with Anthocyanidin, a flavonoid in strawberries, which is a very powerful protector against inflammation.

THE FOG CUTTER
Ingredients
  • Apples – 2
  • Red cabbage – 2 ¼ head
  • Carrots – 4
  • Ginger Root – ½ inch knob, peeled
  • Lemon – 1
  • Spinach – 4 handfuls

Instructions

1. Wash and prep all ingredients; feed into your juicer and enjoy!

Notes
What makes this the perfect juice is the combination of anti-inflammatory power of ginger, the Vitamin C in lemon, Beta Carotene in carrots and the high-alkalinity property of spinach. It also juices to a beautiful hue of magenta.*Adding a high, quality blend of Omega 3 Fatty Acids, such as fish oil, to the above juices will add an extra punch of support against inflammation. Look for high quality blends that contain 3 grams of both DHA and EPA. There are vegan formulas, which are also highly effective if you require a plant-based diet.

Source: fitlife.tv

Top 7 Foods that People Who Suffer From Chronic Pain Should Avoid

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Chronic pain affects many people and fibromyalgia is the most common form. This chronic condition is chatacterized by symptoms like muscle pain, fatigue, depression, and sleeping disorders.

Latest studies suggest that the central sensation, in which neurons in the spinal cord are sensitized by inflammations or cell damage, could get involved in the same way people with fibromyalgia process pain. The food you eat may contain chemicals that trigger the neurotransmitters, which increases the sensitivity.

1. Reduce The Intake of Sugar And Artificial Sweeteners

High insulin levels affect the condition, and thus worsen pain and inflammation. Reduce the sugar intake and the foods that contain hidden sugar.

Sugar cravings appear once in a while, but focus on eating more fresh fruits. Aspartame, sorbitol and xylitol are sugar-free artificial sweeteners, but they contain compounds that transform sensitivity to pain and also trigger irritable bowel syndrome. Making your own food and eating whole foods is the best way to avoid hidden sugars.

2. Caffeine is No Good For You

Scientists associate chronic pain and fibromyalgia with insufficient sleep and fatigue. People drink too much coffee so they can go through the day more easily. Coffee provides the desired effect, but in the long run it can largely affect your good night’s sleep.

3. Avoid Gluten And Yeast

These are contained in baked goods and pastry. Regular consumption of these products stimulate the growth of yeast and fungus, and thus increase the pain.

4. Remove Dairy Products From Your Diet

Dairy and many other animal products contain a protein that worsens arthritis and fibromyalgia. It irritates the tissue around the joints, which worsens the pain. Think about going vegan, as this decision has helped many people to cure chronic diseases.

5. Say No To Refined Carbohydrates.

Carbohydrates, similar to sugar, can increase insulin levels and worsen any chronic condition. Always choose low-carb, low-sugar foods and often eat plant-based meals.

6. Tobacco and alcohol harm your body, and trigger severe health conditions including diseases that affect the joints

Statistics has shown that smokers have a higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis, and people who consume alcohol regularly are more likely to develop gout.

7. Food additives Are Dangerous

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) and other food additives cause additional problems for people with chronic pain, by stimulating pain receptors and increasing pain. Producers add MSG to fast food and pre-packaged foods to enhance their taste.

Source: healthyfoodhouse.com

Relaxing Yoga Poses To Do On The Bed Before Sleeping

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Start tomorrow today

An evening routine is a great way to set yourself up to experience an awesome tomorrow. A relaxing bath, a yummy glass of warm, spiced milk or maybe even some journaling are a few actions that could make the morning great. Another great choice is yoga, right there in your bed.

Asanas to do before going to Sleep:

Here are a few asanas that you can do before going to sleep that may help you rest better.

1. Jathara Parivartanasana

Jathara means stomach; Parivartanasana means turning or rolling about. If you come to my classes, it is no surprise that I love this pose. Of all the poses, I think this pose and its variations are responsible for keeping me flexible. I always practice this pose before going to sleep and have for the past 20 something years. Ease into it if it is your first time exploring this pose.

Steps:
1. Lie on your back with your legs extended.
2. Draw your knees up into your chest one at a time and wrap your arms around your legs, hugging them. Rock side to side to massage the back.
3. Continue holding onto your right knee with both hands and extend your left leg all the way out onto the bed.
4. With your left hand on the right knee, draw the right knee across the left side of the body towards the bed. Keep both shoulders down and extend the left arm straight away from the body.
5. Hold for a few breaths or until the back releases, (or relax and enjoy for a few minutes). Inhale, bring both knees and head back to center, and repeat on the other side.

 

Modifications and Props:
• Use a blanket under the knee if you feel you need some support (so your knee isn’t just hanging there).

Variations:
• Take both knees to the left and hold the right knee down with the left hand. Release your back. Hold for a few breaths and come back to center. Repeat on the other side.

Benefits:
• Stretches the spine and shoulders
• Improves digestion and circulation
• Strengthens the lower back
• Relieves lower backache, neck pain, and sciatica
• Opens the hips and chest

Contraindications: (or reasons not to do this pose)
• High or low blood pressure
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Menstruation
• High blood pressure

2. Thread the Needle Pose

I have really tight shoulders from biking, especially the rhomboids (muscles between the shoulder blades). This pose helps to stretch them so that prāna can have a head start in healing this tricky part of the back.

Steps:
1. Start in table position.
2. Weave the left arm under the right and place straight away from the body, as you twist through the lumbar and thoracic spine, place the shoulder on the floor.
3. Lift right arm up towards the ceiling and intensify the stretch.
4. Keep the majority of the weight on the shoulder to create the traction for the stretch.
5. Repeat other side.

 

Modifications and props:
• Place a blanket on the bed and place the shoulder on it if padding is needed.
• Can be made into a balance by lifting the leg on the same side as the arm that is lifted.

Benefits:
• Stretches shoulders and posterior rotator cuffs
• Stretches oblique
• Strengthens legs

Contraindications:
• Neck injuries
• Upper back injuries
• Migraines
• Pregnancy

3. Supta Virasana

Supta means lying down, vira means hero. I always say that “no pain, no gain” is such a washed up theory. You shouldn’t have to experience pain in order to manifest what you need. That is silly. This pose, however, shoots holes in my theory if the legs and back are not ready for it. So one of the best places to try it out is on your bed, where the mattress can give space when the muscles and tendons do not. Use blankets and pillows for comfort.

Steps:
1. Start in Virasana (Hero’s pose).
2. Exhale and lean back onto your hands, then your forearms and elbows.
3. Once you are on your elbows, place your hands on the back of the pelvis and release your lower back and upper buttocks by spreading the flesh down toward the tailbone.
4. Then finish reclining, either onto the bed or the support of blankets or bolsters. Take both arms out to the side.
5. Stay in this pose for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Gradually extend your stay to 5 minutes. To come out of the pose, inhale and press your forearms against the bed, exhale and bring your chin towards your chest and come onto your hands back into Virasana. As you come up, lead with your sternum, not your head or chin.

 

Modifications and Propping:
• If you’re not able to recline fully on the bed, set a bolster or one or more folded blankets behind yourself to fully support your spine and head.
• Use as much height as you need to make the position reasonably comfortable.
• To help release the groins, lay some weight across the creases of the top thighs where they join the front pelvis.
• Start with a 10-pound sandbag and gradually over time increase the weight to 30 pounds or so.

Variations:
• Before doing Supta Virasana you can start with its halfway variation, Supta Ardha Virasana (Ardhameans half). To sit in Ardha Virasana, draw just your right leg back into Virasana. You can keep your left knee bent with the foot on the floor, or straighten your left leg by pushing out through the heel. Then recline as described above, either onto a support or the bed. Come out as recommended for Supta Virasana, then repeat with the left leg back.

Benefits:
• Stretches the abdomen, thighs, and deep hip flexors (psoas), knees, and ankles
• Strengthens the arches
• Relieves tired legs
• Improves digestion
• Helps relieve the symptoms of menstrual pain

Contraindications:
• Serious back problems
• Knee issues
• Ankle problems
• Avoid this pose unless you have the assistance of an experienced instructor.

4. Viparita Karani

Viparita means turned around, reversed, inverted; karani means doing, making, action. This is every body’s favorite pose. It is not only good for relaxation, but I could write an entire blog on the benefits this pose has when it comes to your lymphatic (immune) system. Proper propping is a must here. Go for the joy, bliss and just ahhh factor.

Steps:
1. Take two folded blankets placing the raw edges against a wall. Sit with your right side against the wall or headboard and your back against the blankets. Exhale, and with one smooth movement, and swing your legs up onto the wall or headboard as your bottom comes up onto the blankets and your shoulders and head slide down onto the bed.
2. Your sitting bones don’t need to be right against the wall, but they can be “dipping” down into the space between the support and the wall or headboard.
3. Lift and release the base of your skull away from the back of your neck and soften your throat. Open your shoulder blades away from the spine and release your hands and arms out to your sides, palms up.
4. Keep your legs relatively firm, just enough to hold them vertically in place. Release the heads of the thigh bones and the weight of your belly deeply into your torso, toward the back of the pelvis. Soften your eyes and turn them down to look into your heart.
5. Stay in this pose anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes. To come out of the pose, slide the legs down the wall (headboard), bend the knees and slowly sit up.

 

Variations:
• If you have enough wall space, you can slide your legs apart into a wide “V” to stretch your inner thighs and groins.
• You also can bend your knees, touch the soles of your feet together, and slide the outer edges of your feet down the wall, bringing your heels toward the pelvis.
• Then you can push your hands against the top inner thighs to stretch the groins.
• Remember, however, never push on your knees to open the groins.

Benefits:
• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Digestive problems
• Headache
• High and low blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Migraine
• Mild depression
• Respiratory ailments
• Urinary disorders
• Varicose veins
• Menstrual cramps (performing pose during menstruation)
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Menopause
• Relieves tired or cramped legs and feet
• Gently stretches the back legs, front torso, and the back of the neck
• Relieves mild backache
• Calms the mind
• Helps drain lymphatic system

Contraindications
• During menstruation
• Serious eye problems
• Glaucoma
• Serious neck problems
• Serious back problems

5. Savasana

Sava means corpse (Corpse Pose). This is a great way to balance your prāna before you move to your favorite sleep position.

Steps:
1. From a seated position, roll down one vertebrae at a time, flex the knees as you roll down. Once your back is on the bed, straighten the legs. Allow the legs to open naturally. Lightly lift your buttocks off the bed by pushing down with your hands and lengthen through the lumbar spine. Lower the buttocks back to the bed.
2. Dorsi flex the right foot and lengthen the leg. Plantar flex the foot and hold for a couple of seconds. Then relax muscles in the leg, the ankle, and toes. Do the same for the left leg. Allow the calf and inner thigh to release. Leg may turn outwards naturally.
3. Lengthen the arms above your head for a long stretch, and then take them towards the ceiling as you open up your back, allowing the shoulder blades to stretch away from the spine. Bring the hands down by your sides with the palms facing the ceiling. Spread the fingers and then relax the shoulders and hands.
4. Bringing the chin to the chest, stretch the neck. Then lay the head back to the bed. Relax the jaw and soften the tongue off the top of the mouth.
5. Taking long deep breaths, allow the body to release any tension that remains in the body.
6. Stay in Savasana for 5-15 minutes. When you are ready to come out of the pose, take a couple of deep breaths, wiggle toes and fingers, and when ready, roll to the right side for a couple of breaths. By pressing the left hand into the bed, slowly push yourself up to seated position.

 

Modifications and propping:
• You can use a folded blanket or towel under the neck for comfort. You can also use an eye cover to help with relaxation.
• If it hurts your lower back to keep legs straight, you can place a folded blanket or bolster under the knees.
• If it hurts legs to allow them to turn outward, you can use a strap around the feet to keep the hips turned forward.

I think you will enjoy your “before you go to bed” poses so much that upon waking, you will want to do a few more asana to transition into the day centered and balanced. Watch for my next article on Yoga Asanas to do in Bed when you Wake up.

Source: curejoy.com

Top 14 Home Remedies Using Tea

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Tea is perhaps one of the best known beverages known in Indian households. Sip it hot or relish a tumbler of ice-cold tea, drinking tea is always refreshing. But did you know that tea can be used for treating a variety of problems at home? Keep reading to know the top fifteen home remedies that involve the use of tea.

Sunburn relief: Did you know that wet tea bags are effective in soothing sunburns? For a complete body sunburn treatment, the best idea would be to prepare a tea bath and soak in its goodness.

Tired eyes: Tired eyes look puffy and dull. So, why don’t you soothe them with some wet tea bags? Indeed, tea bags are very efficient in relieving tired eyes, almost as competent as cucumber slices and slices of potato! Your eyes would instantly brighten up.

Toothache: Suffering from pain in gums and tooth ache? Prepare peppermint tea and add a pinch of salt. Use this antiseptic natural mouthwash for soothing the ache.

Bleeding gums: If your child has lost a tooth and is experiencing bleeding gums, put a wet tea bag (cold) in the mouth, on the area where he or she has lost the tooth. This treatment would help in reducing the bleeding and soothing pain.

Foot Odor: Well, if foot odour seems to be a perennial reason for embarrassment, make sure that you soak your feet in a tub of strongly brewed tea, everyday for about twenty minutes. This practice will surely relax your feet and help you get rid of that unwanted stick!

Bad breath: Gargling several times a day with strong tea can be useful in preventing bad breath.

Menstrual Cramps: Chamomile tea increases glycine levels, an amino acid that calms muscle spasms, thereby reducing the pain caused by stomach and back aches as well as helping to reduce and even relieve menstrual cramps in women.

Cold and Flu:  Ginger can stimulate your circulation, which will help your body get rid of a cold faster. It’s also been shown to reduce nausea. To make the tea, mix 2/3 cup of boiling water with 2 teaspoons of grated ginger and 1 teaspoons of honey.

Stuffy Nose: If you have stuffy nose then a cup of warm tea can ease the pain and discomfort. Hot tea, particularly sage tea, may reduce the blockage in your nose.

Sore throat: Teas can help ease sore throats. Hot tea like ginger tea can give a lot of relief from an achy and sore throat. Toss some ginger flakes in your regular tea and allow the tea to brew in the ginger for 5 minutes. The ginger tea will help to soothe the throat and give relief from an achy and sore throat.

Headaches: Herbal tea is helpful in reducing headaches and migraines. A warm cup of herbal tea made with peppermint, vervain or lemon balm will relieve a headache.

Gas and bloating: Ginger tea is also a natural remedy for heart burn, as well as helps relieve stomach gas and bloating.

Weight Loss: Green tea is widely used globally as an antidote to lose weight. The “catechins” present in the green tea produces thermogenesis, which is the panacea for losing weight.  It is advisable to sip at least 3 cups of green tea for this purpose.

Banish indigestion: Mint tea is a super way to ease stubborn indigestion and gas and to quell nausea and vomiting. Peppermint contains the digestive aid menthol. Use 1 tablespoon of mint leaves (or more, according to taste) per cup of boiling water. 

Tea is so much more than just a beverage! Whether you want a natural mouthwash, or you want a natural mosquito repellent, the range of use of tea leaves is wide; so, use them easily in a variety of home remedies to reap the best benefits.

Source: theindianspot.com

Health and Financial Benefits of Banning Tobacco

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Liberals in America have been pushing hard to pass stricter gun control laws. They use the argument that guns kill and they want to save lives. They rarely admit that it’s not guns that kill, but it’s people that kill.

But when is the last time you heard any liberal push for stricter tobacco control laws or for the total banning of all tobacco products?

Compare the statistics that show that guns kill between 33,000 and 35,000 Americans a year and just smoking kills 480,000 Americans a year. That’s not to mention the 16 million Americans living with a tobacco related disease. Those diseases include heart disease, cancer, lung disease, stroke diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Take a quick look at how many people in the US die every year from some of these tobacco causing conditions:

  • Heart Disease – kills around 614,000 Americans per year (23.4% of all deaths)
  • Cancer – kills around 591,699 Americans per year (22.5% of all deaths)
  • Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease – includes COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthma – kills about 147,000 Americans a year.
  • Stroke – kills about 133,00 Americans a year
  • Diabetes – kills about 76,000 Americans a year

Compare these numbers with the 33,000 Americans that die from guns. I’m not trying to trivialize gun deaths as any death is tragic, but when compared to the effects of tobacco use, gun deaths pale in comparison.

Look at the medical costs involved with tobacco use? The CDC:

“Total economic cost of smoking is more than $300 billion a year, including

  • Nearly $170 billion in direct medical care for adults5
  • More than $156 billion in lost productivity due to premature death and exposure to secondhand smoke.”

Just think of the billions of dollars and millions of lives that could be saved if tobacco was banned.

Millions of Americans would quickly begin reversing some of the harmful effects of tobacco.

When someone smokes tobacco products, the tiny hair-like structures in the lungs known as cilia become somewhat paralyzed and unable to move the mucus that builds up, out of the lungs and the lining of the lungs become inflamed. The mucus begins to accumulate, leading to coughing and eventually worse. Additionally, the blood stream picks up carbon monoxide from the smoke. The carbon monoxide replaces oxygen in the blood stream, resulting in the loss of energy and muscle function causing fatigue. Prolonged use results in the accumulation of dangerous toxic chemicals in the lungs that often cause cancer. The lack of oxygen in the blood over a prolonged period leads to heart disease, stroke and diabetes as well lung diseases.

When someone stops smoking, it doesn’t take long for the inflammation in the lungs to begin to heal. The cilia again begin to function normally, moving mucus up and out of the lungs. They work to clean the lungs of dirt, mucus and even some of the toxic chemical residues. As the lungs clean out, it reduces the risk of lung cancer and more.

The overall benefit of banning tobacco products greatly outweighs the benefits of banning guns from law abiding citizens (criminals will always find a way to get a gun if they really want to). Therefore, there is a far greater reason to push stricter tobacco control laws than gun control laws. Besides saving 20 times more lives a year, it will reduce the cost of healthcare for everyone.

Can Diet Changes Help Calm Children With ADHD?

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According to findings published in the journal Pediatrics in February, the Mediterranean diet, mostly comprised of vegetables, nuts and healthy fats, may be linked to a lower risk of a child’s attention deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnosis. It’s thought that the diet’s omega-3 fatty acids and nutrients may combat dietary imbalances pertaining to cognitive and physical growth. At the same time, the researchers noted that such findings don’t point to a direct cause and effect between foods that are consumed and ADHD, but rather that such knowledge may be beneficial when creating dietary strategies to help improve quality of life.

Dr. Sanford Newmark, head of the Pediatric Integrative Neurodevelopmental Program and Medical Director at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California–San Francisco, says that a “sensible diet is important for all children, but especially those with ADHD.”

Consider an Elimination Diet

Newmark explains that his approach almost always involves an elimination diet, which weeds out certain food choices until more desirable moods and behaviors are achieved. Common culprits that are usually eliminated, he says, involve wheat, dairy, soy, eggs, peanuts, corn, artificial coloring and artificial flavoring. “I often see dramatic improvement across the board,” he says of the elimination diet. “Hyperactivity slows down and focus increases.”

Another advocate of removing various foods from a diet in an effort to improve symptoms is Robin DeCicco, a holistic nutritionist with a private practice in Ramsey, New Jersey. “No actual foods are known to cause ADHD symptoms, but certain foods may trigger behavioral problems, aggravation or concentration difficulties in certain kids,” she says. “This can differ from child to child – some kids may be much more sensitive to sugar, food dyes, preservatives or high fructose corn syrup than others. The only way to really figure this out for sure for each child is to eliminate certain food groups for a period of time and keep a journal of the child’s behavior to document change.”

DeCicco, who coaches clients on topics ranging from ADHD and pediatric nutrition to diabetes management and irritable bowel syndrome through her the Power of Food Education program, adds that if change is significant, it’s necessary to always keep the child away from that specific food. “It’s not like foods that are actually good for you are correlated to worsening ADHD symptoms – meaning that I’d never recommend eliminating veggies, fruit, omega-3 fats, fish, lean meat protein, certain nuts and seeds and olive or coconut oils,” she says. She feels those are among the most nutritious foods to ingest. “These foods are associated with an increase in cognitive function, memory, focus and have anti-inflammatory effects on the body, which, in turn, help to stabilize blood sugar levels.”

“Kids with ADHD do poorly with refined carbs,” Newmark says, adding that eliminating soda, junk foods and the likes of waffle-and-syrup breakfasts are important. Such foods allow blood sugar to go up then drop, which can intensify existing ADHD symptoms. Instead, giving your child low-glycemic foods is ideal. Newmark suggests choosing protein, whole grains and fiber-rich foods, saying that oatmeal is a far wiser breakfast choice over sugar-laden cereals and foods with syrupy toppings.

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, low-glycemic foods are ones that fall on the low range of a scale that rates foods from 1 to 100. The whites of potatoes, for example, come in at a whopping 98, while Greek yogurt is a healthier 11.

“In my opinion, sugar in most processed forms can surely lead to hyperactivity and can aggravate ADHD tendencies in kids who may already be prone to ADHD,” DeCicco says. Desserts, juice, sodas and candy are foods that she explains contribute to the spike in blood sugar and subsequent inability to manage ADHD symptoms. “When blood sugar is balanced – which comes from eating a diet rich in whole foods like lean protein, fiber and healthy fats – the system is usually calmer,” she says, adding that agitation, irritability and “trouble focusing on one task at a time” is common when not eating these healthier foods.

Think Twice About Giving Your Child Coffee

When it comes to improving focus, coffee is something else that parents should think twice about giving their ADHD child. Although some parents have turned to the stimulant as a more natural option in favor of avoiding any possible side effects of Ritalin, a prescribed stimulant often recommended for ADHD, experts say that it’s not an ideal solution.

In an ABC News story on this topic, Dr. David Rosenberg, chief of psychiatry at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit explains that “caffeine is not the answer for real, bona fide ADHD. “I don’t want parents to be deluded into a false sense of security that if I just go to the local Starbucks, I’m going to cure my son or daughter’s ADHD.”

“Caffeine can stimulate immature neurological systems beyond children’s ability to tolerate it, which can have serious effects,” notes the American Psychological Association’s Division 43 (Family) President Terence Patterson, of the University of San Francisco in the APA’s magazine, Monitor on Psychology. “Excessive caffeine use damages the attention capacity that children need to cooperate in play, family and school environments.”

Observe and Fight Urge to Banish Foods From Child’s Diet Entirely

In addition to the thought that caffeine is helpful for a child with ADHD, another myth, according to Newmark, is that a child can never again ingest a certain food. “Some patients are convinced that every kid with ADHD can’t have gluten or can’t have dairy,” he says. “This isn’t true. For some this may be the case, but it’s not a blanket statement.”

The key, he explains, is observation of behaviors, eliminating certain foods and then adding certain ones back based on noted improvements. “But even if a kid is sensitive to a food, that doesn’t mean they can’t ever have it.”

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