Natural Vitamin and Herbal alternatives

Courtsey:Darrell Miller

Joint tissue breaks down and arthritis sets in for a number of reasons, and there are several natural alternatives for joint health that can be use to prevent this and to treat affected joints.

Thyroid problems can slow down the production of adrenal hormones that are responsible for the production of cortisone and cosrtisol. These are anti-inflammatories, that when unavailable or in low supply can result in joint inflammation. If you suffer joint pain in the mornings that tends to improve as the day goes on, then it is likely that is the cause since adrenal activity can improve as the day progresses.

One of the main reasons for joint tissue breakdown is osteoarthritis whereby the cartilage wears down until it fails to provide the necessary protection against impact between the bones in a joint, or against the friction generated when two bones rub together. Injuries to joints can have the same effect, whereby an injury to a hip or knee can appear to clear up and then later the cartilage wears out sooner than expected. This can take several months or many years, depending on the severity and nature of the injury concerned.

Continual wear and tear can also cause joint tissue to break down. Athletes and other sportspersons often suffer twenty years or more after retirement from their sport due to the gradual wearing down of cartilage while they were active. Once they stop, this continues to a lesser extent until the cartilage is eventually worn away sufficiently for it to stop protecting the joint.

Problems with the auto-immune system can lead to rheumatoid arthritis and inflammation of the joints. This weakens them and can eventually completely destroy the tissue. In such cases the tissues in the joint tend to swell and become extremely painful. Gout can also damage joints, especially in the big toe. This is caused through a built up of needle sharp uric acid crystals. Another cause is a deficiency in sodium and potassium in the diet that are needed to help maintain calcium in solution. When these metals are in deficiency due, for example, to an adrenal problem or some other reason, calcium can deposit right in the joints, causing undue pain.

Calcium and vitamin D deficiencies are commonly associated with arthritis sufferers, and protein deficiencies are also believed to be a contributing factor of rheumatoid arthritis, and it is also true that degenerative arthritis can accompany rheumatoid arthritis. This occurs in almost 40% of cases, and diet and nutrition are now being recognized as a major cause of both types. Deficiencies in folic acid or its natural form of folate, vitamin E, zinc and selenium have all been associated with degeneration of joint tissue, so it makes sense that a supplement of these substances can help to avoid these conditions.

Standard medical treatment, however, is for the relief of pain and reduction of inflammation through the prescribing of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Typical NSAIDs are aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. Although it relieves pain, paracetamol is not an anti-iflammatory. An alternative to blocking the inflammatory reponse is to help to regenerate the damaged joint tissue.

However, reducing the inflammatory response to tissue damage does not address the underlying problem, but masks it. Not only that, but there are side effects associated with the use of NSAIDs. Excessive doses can create serious gastrointestinal problems, such as bleeding, ulcer perforation and even death is possible in severe cases. Anti-inflammatories cause gastric problems in up to 20% of cases

The newer Cox-2 inhibitors act on the enzyme that causes the inflammation within the joint, and while these can be very effective, they are still masking the underlying problem. Incidentally, the Cox-2 inhibitors should not be used with NSAIDs, and both increase the possibility of a myocardial infarction or heart attack. Also, if you are taking aspirin to reduce the risk of heart problems, you should be careful not to use other NSAIDs since they can interfere with the effects of the aspirin.

More effective in the long run is to treat the conditions with substances that deal with the cause of the problem. Vitamin C, for example, improves the lubrication effect of the synovial fluid in the joints, and vitamin E is a strong antioxidant that can help to repair damaged tissue and improve the circulation within the joints. Joints have very low blood circulation levels, which is a problem when trying to direct drugs to the joint tissues. Vitamin C is also good for improving the integrity of connective tissue. Zinc, manganese and copper are also instrumental in developing strong connective tissue and helping to repair the damage done to the joints.

Horsetail is a commonly used herbal remedy that can be taken as a tea, tincture or in capsules. It is the richest natural herbal source of silicon, which is used by the body to form connective tissue and collagen. Damaged connective tissue is rapidly repaired by horsetail, and its strength and elasticity significantly improved. It is commonly used in the treatment of arthritis and osteoporosis.

Cat's Claw is used for its beneficial effect on the immune system, and frequently used successfully to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. However, this treatment is used more to help reduce the inflammatory effects of the condition than to effect a long lasting cure. Gotu Kola, also called Indian pennywort, is traditionally used for treating arthritis. The fresh leaves are effective in reducing the inflammation and pain, and help to improve the quality of life of arthritis sufferers. In Australia, it is referred to as 'the arthritis herb' and two leaves a day are said to be effective.

Another popular remedy is MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), although it is claimed to provide pain relief rather than a cure. Amino acids also seem to help, and L-cysteine helps promote collagen and connective tissue. It appears to work best when taken in combination with vitamin E and selenium that are powerful antioxidants. L-arginine has a similar effect in the reconstruction of joint tissue, again helping to repair damaged connective tissues.

There are therefore two approaches to treating both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, one providing pain relief and reducing inflammation, and the other repairing the damage done to the joint tissues. Vitamins, minerals, trace minerals and herbal remedies are used in both, though it is better to use a combination that provides pain relief and also helps to regenerate strong connective tissues in the joints.

When using combinations of remedies it is important that possible interactions are understood, and you should always seek the advice of your physician when using non-prescription remedies of any kind.

Health Benefits of Vitamin-D Supplements

Courtsey:Alan Jacobson

Vitamin D is a vitamin found in food, and it can also be produced by your body after you are out in the sun. Supplements can also be effective in helping you get the vitamin D you need and prevent deficiency. There are many reasons you should consider making sure you are getting enough vitamin D; in fact it seems like each day there is a new discovery regarding this particular vitamin.

There are several benefits that are known for sure: Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption which helps you maintain strong bones, and it also helps to maintain your immune system. While these are important benefits themselves, there are other exciting potential benefits that are just being discovered. Recent studies suggest that vitamin D may help protect you against some cancers, and possibly reverse heart disease. In addition, there is an emerging opinion that vitamin D supplements may reduce symtoms of anxiety and depression, with a particularly strong effect on women who suffer anxiety with PMS and anyone who gets depressed during the winter months. (Reference information regarding these studies can be provided if you contact the author of this article).

There are three ways you can ensure you are getting enough vitamin D. First, there are direct food sources, such as fortified milk, large fish like salmon and tuna, many breakfast cereals, and egg yolk. However, if you don't consume the fish, it is actually very difficult to get enough vitamin D from another source. For example, most milk is fortified to the degree that you'd have to have 10 cups to get your daily allowance. Second, your body produces vitamin D when you are in the sun, though it doesn't work when you are wearing sunscreen (though it is still important to use sunscreen to prevent cancer and other problems due to sun exposure). You should check this with your doctor, but it is known that a short exposure to the sun, even as little as 10 minutes allows the process of vitamin D production to start. The third way you can get vitamin D is through over the counter pills or supplements.

Vitamin D supplements may be most beneficial for you if you are in any of the following groups, all of who could be prone to vitamin d deficiency:

- Infrequent exposure to the sun or you must wear sun block almost all the time
- Lactose intolerant, or just don't enjoy milk or drink a lot of it
- Very sensitive to the sun and/or wear sun block
- Live far north of the equator, like New England in the US.
- Don't eat much large fish, perhaps due to concerns about mercury content
- Older adults (50 and over) are less able to produce and/or synthesize vitamin D
- Some medical conditions – consult with your doctor

There are serious health risks if you take too many vitamin D supplements. Read the container they come in carefully and consult with your doctor if it is at all unclear. Most supplements are very clear about the usual adult dose, so it should be easy for you to start a vitamin D supplementation regimen today.

Detoxification of your system!!

Your body feels heavy and lethargic and experiences a myriad of aches and pains. Chances are you've got an excessive build-up of toxins in your system and need to go on a detox diet

Detoxifying or deep cleansing is a powerful healing process, which is vital for the elimination of stored toxins that lead to ill health. Once food undergoes digestion, absorption and assimilation, the resultant waste needs to be eliminated from the system. If this does not happen (and most often it does not), the resultant waste collects in the body, leading to ill health.

Build-up of Toxins
The build-up of toxins clogs the digestive system, restricting energy flow and creating blockages. Organs are burdened, as they have to work harder to remove the waste, gradually weakening in the process. Subsequently the functioning of the organs gets sluggish and the body becomes acidic in nature, becoming prone to heaviness and lethargy. The body also experiences a myriad of aches and pains. Apart from the intestines, the liver and the lungs are more likely to get affected due to the accumulation of toxins.

Factors such as a high consumption ratio of refined foods, junk foods, oily or stale foods, odd mealtimes, overeating, and snacking too often all contribute to the accumulation of wastes in the body. A periodic cleaning helps remove stored debris and allow a free flow of energy, stimulating the organs to work at their optimum best.

How to Clean Up
The best and fastest way to detoxify is to stop eating. Fasting for at least 24 hours is beneficial. The energy spent in digesting the foods is thus saved and directed towards dissolving toxins, working towards re-balancing, re-vitalising and healing the body. Fasts should be undertaken once a week or fortnight, or even once a month to give the stomach a break.

However, some may find fasting tough, and so the next best option is to go on an all-fruit diet for one to three days. Fruits give major nutrients without burdening the digestive system as they are very easy to digest.

The night before the fast, take a natural laxative such as trifla with warm water to kickstart the process. Start the day with 1-2 glasses of lukewarm lemon and honey water and continue drinking plenty of warm water throughout the day. If on a fruit diet, also consume fruits or fruit juices 2-4 times a day.

Making Foods Work for You

Benefits of Detoxification

• Free of heavy toxic waste, the body gets charged up and feels refreshed, revitalized, rejuvenated.
• The nerves calm down.
• Allergies reduce.
• Acid-alkaline balance improves.

Food is a major source of intake that determines the state of one's health, which affects the dynamics of digestive system. Since the body's biorhythm is on an 'elimination' mode till noon, a light and highly nourishing diet should be followed till late morning or noon for the body to continue its cleansing work. Besides eating the right foods, brisk walks, exercise, or ideally yoga helps the process by stimulating the dull and lethargic system and tones up digestive muscles to work better.

The ideal detox fruits are papaya and seasonal citrus fruits. Avoid eating sweet and citrus fruits at the same time. Ideal wholesome foods are oatmeal porridge, clear vegetable soups, and sprouts (especially Alfalfa sprouts, which are a storehouse of essential nutrients, enzymes and trace minerals). A breakfast of fruits such as papaya, soaked dry fruits such as black raisins, and figs keep the body light yet nourished. If required one can add a bowl of oatmeal or nachni porridge, or whole-wheat toast to the breakfast.

Another good aid in the process of detoxification is aloe vera juice, or fresh wheat grass juice, which works extraordinarily well in purifying the body of even old disease-generating toxic residue.

While a toned and well-exercised body is extremely desirable, an internally clean and light body, radiating health, vitality and agility is simply a pleasure in itself. So go ahead and detox yourself; it'll surely work wonders for you!

What are Sinuses??

You're sneezing, coughing, and you have a bright red nose. You figure it's just another cold, but this one sticks around way too long. Is it really a cold? Maybe not. It could be a problem with your sinuses.

What Are Sinuses?
The sinuses (say: sy-nus-is) are air-filled spaces found in the bones of the head and face. Sinuses start developing before you are born and some of them keep growing until you're about 20. There are four pairs of sinuses, or eight in all. They are located on either side of the nose in your cheeks, behind and between the eyes, in the forehead, and at the back of the nasal cavity

Like the inside of the nose, the sinuses are lined with a moist, thin layer of tissue called a mucous membrane (say: myoo-kus mem-brayne). The mucous membranes help moisten the air as you breathe it in. The mucous membrane also makes mucus, that sticky stuff in your nose you might call snot The mucus traps dust and germs that are in the air we breathe. On the surface of the cells of the mucous membrane are microscopic hairs called cilia (say: sih-lee-uh).

The cilia beat back and forth in waves to clear mucus from the sinuses through a narrow opening in the nose and then move the mucus toward the back of the nose to be swallowed. Gross, huh? If you have a cold or allergies, the membrane gets irritated and swollen and produces even more mucus.

What Do Sinuses Do?
No one is completely sure why we have sinuses, but some researchers think they keep the head from being too heavy. Sinuses are pockets of air, and air doesn't weigh very much. If those pockets were solid bone, your head would weigh more.
Sinuses also give you the depth or tone of your voice. Did you ever notice how funny your voice sounds if your nose and sinuses get stuffy when you have a cold?

When Good Sinuses Go Bad

What about that cold that won't go away? A cold virus can:

• damage the delicate cilia so that mucus is not swept away
• cause the mucous lining of the nose to become swollen, which narrows and blocks the small opening from the sinuses into the nose.
• lead to the production of more mucus, which is often thicker and stickier, making it harder to flow out of the sinuses.

When the tiny openings that drain the sinuses get blocked, mucus becomes trapped in the sinuses. Like water in a stagnant pond, it makes a good home for bacteria, viruses, or fungi to grow.

If a cold lasts for more than 10 to 14 days (sometimes you may have a low-grade fever you may have sinusitis (say: syne-yuh- sy-tus). This means an infection of the sinuses. Sinusitis is a pretty common infection; in fact, close to 37 million people in the United States have sinusitis each year.

Acute sinusitis may be diagnosed when a cold lasts more than 10 to 14 days. Chronic sinusitis means a person has had symptoms for more than 3 months. Symptoms may be similar to acute sinusitis, but typically are less severe and not associated with fever.

In either case, symptoms may include:

• fever.
• persistent nasal discharge that often is yellow or green (this alone doesn't always mean you have a sinus infection).
• daytime cough (your cough may be worse at night).
• puffy eyes, especially in the morning.
• bad breath.

Less often, a kid could have headache or pain behind the eyes, forehead, and cheeks.

What Will the Doctor Do?
If a doctor thinks you have a sinus infection, he or she will probably examine your ears and throat and take a look in your nose. The doctor may also check your sinuses by tapping or pressing on your forehead and cheeks. If you have a sinus infection, the doctor may prescribe an antibiotic. If bacteria are causing the problem, an antibiotic will help by killing the bacteria. If it's a virus, antibiotic medicine won't work.

In the case of a bacterial infection, the antibiotic should help you feel better in a few days. A decongestant or nasal spray may also be prescribed to help you feel better. If the sinus infection is chronic, the doctor may have you take medicine for a couple of weeks, just to be sure all the bacteria are knocked out.

Sometimes, if a sinus infection is not getting better, comes back even after you take all your medicine, or if the doctor is thinking about doing surgery, he or she may send you to have a CT scan of the sinuses. The CT scan is a special X-ray that takes a picture of your insides. It doesn't hurt, and it makes it much easier for the doctor to see what's going on. Your doctor can clearly see what the sinuses look like and then decide what kind of treatment will help you get better faster.

The good news about sinusitis is that it's not contagious, so if you are feeling well enough, you can go to school or go outside and play. In no time, you'll be over your infection - and you'll be saying so long to sinusitis!

Hypnosis and the Benefit of Deep Breathing!!

Essentially, the word hypnosis is just another word for relaxation. Yes hypnosis is brought on by suggestion, but it's that deep state of relaxation that qualifies hypnosis. I sometimes use the term creative relaxation. When I say that, I'm referring to the fact that it's the use of hypnosis that I call therapy. I've always defined hypnosis as just what it is, an altered state of awareness through deep relaxation.

Some people define relaxing as just taking time to read through a magazine or have a cup of tea. But really just changing activities is not relaxation. When you reach a state of total relaxation through hypnosis, you will see the difference. And it's in this totally relaxed state that you can bring some balance back into your life. Some people call it recharging their batteries or use any other metaphoric term, but it all means the same thing.

Real, deep, relaxation used daily or regularly has a terrific effect on all our internal systems, far beyond what a coffee break can do.

As to the question of whether sleep is equivalent to relaxation, most of us know from experience that it is not. Experts even state that hypnosis, or deep relaxation, is actually more beneficial to the overall well-being than merely sleeping nightly. We know that sleep can be disturbed by stressful energies and that we can wake up feeling even less rested, less energized, than when we went to sleep. However a deliberately executed session in hypnosis, or relaxation, has you concentrating very pointedly on just that, relaxing. You lie very still, and you let only positive energy consume you. Essentially, when you practice self-hypnosis, you control the result by guiding the entire session. All hypnosis is based on total relaxation. This is certainly more beneficial than just going to sleep because you are tired.

Power naps are useful in recharging as well, and addressing fatigue, but during deep relaxation or hypnosis, you are also creating the opportunity to reduce or alleviate a particular ailment through concentration. Sleep, whilst absolutely necessary, doesn't allow this opportunity. If you spend ten or twenty minutes a day or several times a week, practicing self hypnosis, you are sure in a few short weeks to feel a difference in your life, to feel more balanced, and more relaxed, and more in tune physically, emotionally, and in every other way.

There are probably hundred of ways you can achieve a deep state of relaxation, but they have one common element, which is deep breathing. It is a natural human occurrence that when you exhale, your body relaxes. This is a known fact, and a biological certainty. That's why it's the first thing that a medical professional will ask a patient to do when he wants his patient to relax.

In any type of emergency or panic situation, the victim is always instructed to take deep breaths. This is intended to calm, or relax the individual.

The more deeply you inhale, the more you will exhale, and therefore the more you will relax. So when we want to induce hypnosis, deep breathing is the first suggestion we make, typically because it starts to bring on relaxation. And when the person starts to relax and regulate their breathing, they will become gradually more relaxed.

We know also that when we sleep, our breathing slows and settles into a quiet, deep rhythm. We seek to achieve the same thing in hypnotic induction, to slow the breathing rhythm, because slowing our breathing slows down our system, and helps to bring about a shift in awareness. We achieve this state by slowing a person's breathing naturally and comfortably.

Starting an induction with a few deep breaths immediately creates a shift, and sends the message to the person that now it's time to relax. When you add concentration to the equation, you have a terrific recipe for hypnotic induction. Because concentrating on your breathing helps you become more aware of your internal experience. A person's breathing pattern can often be a telling sign for a hypnotist that a subject has achieved a deep state of relaxation, and slipped into a state of hypnosis.

In my hypnotherapy sessions I don't impose any set technique to deep breathing. Whatever a person's natural breathing method is what they should continue to do. There seems to be a typical pattern of breathing in through the nose, while exhaling out the mouth. If that's the comfortable breathing technique fro someone, that's perfect. If it's in and out through the nose, that's also fine. Whatever you are used to or whatever comes naturally.

You can practice this on your own, at any time. Just concentrate on taking a few deep breaths, and you will feel your shoulders drop, and your heart rate will settle. This is relaxation and the basis of hypnosis.

Is Your Job Putting on Weight?

Robert DiGiacomo, for Yahoo HotJobs!

While your job can't be blamed directly for your putting on the pounds, the potent combination of too much work stress, too little sleep, and not enough physical activity can lead to weight gain.

The best offense against work-related flab, experts say, is the often-repeated mantra of exercising regularly and eating right. Start by understanding why you're at risk of gaining weight on the job, so you can take steps to avoid it.

The Stress Connection
Too much stress causes your body to produce more of a hormone called cortisol, which not only triggers your appetite but cues your body to store fat cells and produce less testosterone, which results in less muscle mass, according to Shawn M. Talbott, a nutritional biochemist, author and consultant.

"It's just as important to get the stress under control as the exercise and diet," says Talbott, author of "The Cortisol Connection -- Why Stress Makes You Fat and Ruins Your Health." He adds, "If people do each of those three, they get a lot better results than if they have one of the three."

A Practical Diet
The size of your hand can serve as a practical guide to how much you should eat, according to Talbott.

For each 500-calorie meal, your fist represents the desired amount of carbs and your palm is the amount of protein, while your hand opened up is the portion of fruits and veggies and the circle you make with the OK sign between thumb and forefinger is how much added fat you should take in.

"It's a way to count calories without counting calories," Talbott says.

Smart Snacks
Stay away from the vending machines by bringing to work your own healthy snacks, such as nuts, popcorn, or granola bars, in pre-portioned packages, according to Marisa Moore, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

"The key is not to bring the entire box or package," Moore says. "If you bring the entire box, you're tempted to eat more than one."

Maximum Exercise, Minimum Time
For his busy corporate clients who find it hard to squeeze in a workout, Talbott recommends a three-times-a-week program of 28 minutes of interval training, combining intensive activities with cool-down periods.

"If time is the big issue, [this is] the shortest amount of time we can have someone exercise and see results," he says.

Healthy Riding
If you have a long commute, you can avoid having the car become a filling station by having breakfast before you leave for work, and a light snack prior to returning home.

"Everything looks good when you're hungry," Moore says. "You don't want to stop by a fast-food restaurant on the way to work or home, because you'll fill up with 1,200 calories before you know it."

Employer Assistance
Several companies, including General Mills, Florida Power and Light, and Pitney Bowes, are helping employees stay fit, says LuAnn Heinen, director of the Institute on the Costs and Health Effects of Obesity at the National Business Group on Health. Efforts include encouraging employee fitness, including adding walking paths to corporate campuses, making sure lunch meetings include salads and low-fat items, and giving discounts on salads and healthy items at the company cafeteria.

"These are employers who are consciously improving the environment to make it a downhill slide to stay healthy," Heinen says. "It's really about supporting the people who already have tried to be healthier."

Pineapples help fighting Cancer!!

The glistening, golden-orange pineapple slice, simply dripping delectable goodness, is a must-have dessert topping/drink for many. So named for its resemblance to a pinecone, the pineapple originated in South America and is now grown in tropical and subtropical regions all over the world. Called ananaas in Hindi, it is said to have been discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493.

Pineapple has a fruity fragrant aroma, and is loved in both its fresh and canned forms. Nutritionist Aruna Shyamsundar says, "The multiple fruit provides 46 kcal per 100gm of the edible portion, and is recommended in weight reduction and low cholesterol diets because of its low-fat content ( 0.1 g/100g).

Total dietary fiber is 2.8 gm, and the fruit has small amounts of b-complex vitamins. It can well be taken by renal patients for whom a low potassium diet is recommended, as it has just 37 mg of the mineral."

She adds, "Pineapple contains bromelain, which is a digestive enzyme having anti-inflammatory properties. It is rich in antioxidants, which are cancer fighting protective foods. Ulcer patients should avoid it as its natural acidity is high."

Best eaten between meals, the pineapple can be used to make jams, jellies, pies, salads and vegetable dishes.