Natural Foods that battle Inflammation

Image by malloreigh via FlickrSprained ankle, root canal, sports activity, what do you reach for? Advil, Naproxen or Ibuprofen?  That's what many of us do, even though they have the ability to cause other serious problems such as gastric ulcers, upset stomachs and bleeding.

What natural options exist that cut down the swelling and pain of an injury?  Lo and behold, several nutrients can safely battle pain and discomfort without the worries of serious gastrointestinal issues.

This post will examine some of the natural foods that can do the trick.

Bromelain

Bromelain is  an enzyme found in the fruit and stem of the pineapple, which has been found to reduce swelling, bruising and pain.  It does the job best when taken on an empty stomach.  The recommended amount is 500 milligrams in divided doses four time a day.  Just make sure that you advise your PMD that you will be taking alternative anti-inflammatories as this can increase absorption of medications such as antibiotics.

Curcumin

This is another powerful anti-inflammatory.  Curcuminoids are the natural ingredients that helps inflammation so, look for curcumin supplements that are high in them. According to Mary Shackelton, MPH, ND, a practicing naturopath in Boulder, Colorado, in the article "Eating to Heal," " There should be a 70% improvement in swelling and pain within 48 hours, depending on the injury."

Omega-3 fatty acids

Salmon is a great and tasteful anti-inflammatory.  This is because it is high in omega-3 fatty acids.  Omega-3s can be found in fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel as well as in dark leafy greens, flax seed and certain vegetable oils.

Other helpful nutrients

Make sure you get enough zinc and vitamin D which are both very, about 220 mg of zinc.  If you don't want to take a supplement, just increase the food intake of zinc.  Foods such as oysters (highest amount), red meat and chicken are starters.  Vitamin D is found is mackerel, tuna,  salmon and fish. Also, get plenty of sunshine.

Cut down on a high meta diet as this can contribute to the inflammatory process.

When cooking replace the pro-inflammatory omega-6 vegetable oils such as peanut oil and replace with flax seed oil.  Limit alcohol, sugar, white flour and caffeine which also contribute to inflammation.

Lean proteins are okay when healing from an injury but don't overdo since too much protein can also exacerbate the problems associated with inflammation.

If you have cartilage or ligament damage Dr. Amy Day, ND of San Francisco, in the  "Eating to Heal" article, " Use the bones fro a chicken and simmer it for eight hours to pull out the nutrients."

Sounds like good old tried and true remedies.  Get well soon!

Sources:

"Eating to Heal"  Linda Malone, "Energy Times" Magazine

Choline and anxiety disorders

Many people suffer from anxiety and other psychological disorders that seem to defy treatment.    According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America,  40 million adults in the US suffer from anxiety disorders, which include generalized anxiety, panic attacks,  and post-traumatic stress syndrome.

Researchers have found that low levels of choline, a B vitamin, have been linked to increased rates of anxiety.

 Choline is a nutrient in the B vitamin family which has been shown to be quite important. Choline plays a role in the transport of fats and fat metabolism.  Choline is also good for the brain.  It has been established that choline is necessary for optimal cognigitive function.  It is also a basic nutrient needed in the production of acetylcholine, a neruotransmitter and important in nerve function.

Norwegian scientists looked at the health records of nearly six thousand men and women who feel into two age groups, 46 to 49 and 7- to 74.  The particvipants' blood choline levels were noted and checked for associated levels of anxiety and depression.  The lowest choline levels were found to be associated with the highest anxiety levels. 

In summary

The findings are very interesting.  It might  be worthile to take a nutritional approach in the treatment of anxiety in stead of a purely drug approach.  By addressing the nutritional deficiencies, it might even be possible to reduce the amount of medication needed to treat anxiety.

Source:

"Choline linked with lower Anxiety Levels" Energy Times

Four natural tips for better Health

Image via WikipediaI am so happy to read and share information that involves self-help and doesn't include taking a lot of drugs and artificial things.  So, when I came across this information as to foods that are health promoting, I thought that it would be really great to share it here on the blog.

Following is a list of four natural health tips that you can do for yourself without a doctor's prescription or without worries of medication side effects.

Vitamin E

A Harvard University study found that people who had taken vitamin E supplements regularly for at least five years had a one-third less chance that nonusers to develop amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's disease.


An apple a day

Studies have shown that eating apples might help you live longer.  Researchers at  Chinese University in Hong Kong discovered that apple polyphenols, strong antioxidants, lowered levels of proteins in fruit flies that are markers of debility and death.

In human studies, it was found that women who ate apples reduced their rate of heart disease by up to 22 percent.

Good news for one of God's simple gifts.

Whole grains and Men's Health

A new study presented at an American Heart Association conference showed that guys who ate whole-grain breakfast cereal reduced their risk of high blood pressure by 20 percent.

Another reason to eat fish

Eating fish is a great way to cut the risk of age-related macular degeneration.   (Sigh is high in omega-3 fatty acids).

People who  ate oily fish such as canned tuna or mackerel once a week were 44 percent less likely to develop the condition.

Source:

"Good Medicine News and ideas for a Healthy Mind, body and Spirit" Ebony Magazine

Statin drugs and diabetes

Image via Wikipedia

I can't tell you how many times I've triaged patients in the ED and have had to add one or more pages of medications to this already comprehensive form.  Sadly, many times subsequent medical complaints and illness come as a result of a combination of medications that patients are already taking. Cholesterol medications, diabetes and  blood pressure medications top the list of commonly prescribed medications that can cause severe side effects.

I just finished reading a very disturbing article about the association with statin drugs and hyperglycemia, or elevated blood sugar and diabetes.  This blog will summarize the findings regarding the incidence of hyperglycemia and statin use.

Statin drugs

The statin drugs are usually prescribed to lower blood cholesterol and prevent high cholesterol in high risk individuals.   Such drugs include: lipitor, zocor, Lescol, Mevacor, Pravachol and Crestor.  The statins work by blocking an enzyme in the liver which manufactures cholesterol.  This class of drugs is also used to prevent and treat existing high cholesterol in patients that already  have this disorder.

Diabetes and the Statins

Statins invoke diabetes through several different mechanisms.  The most significant is that they increase the insulin levels-which can be detrimental to the health.  While insulin is required to maintain blood glucose levels, elevated insulin causes chronic inflammation in the body. This is the start of chronic disease since inflammation causes a build up of free radicals in the body which weakens the body's defenses.

Chronic insulin elevation is also responsible for high blood pressure, heart attacks, chronic fatigue, thyroid disruption and disease such as Parkinson's Alzheimer's and cancer.  Further, statins increase your diabetes risk by raising your blood sugar.  When you eat a meal that contains starches and sugar, some of the excess sugar goes to the liver where it is stored away as cholesterol and triglycerides.  Statins work by preventing the liver from making cholesterol.  As a result the liver returns the sugar to the bloodstream which causes the blood sugar levels to rise.

Statins are detrimental in that they rob the body of valuable nutrients which also impact the blood sugar levels.  Two nutrients in particular are necesssary to maintain ideal blood glucose levels.  They are vitamin D and CoQ10, which are both important in ideal blood glucose levels.

In Summary

Discuss with your doctor your concerns and see if you are candidate for other treatment of elevated cholesterol such as through diet and exercise.  There are many, many natural substances that will reduce cholesterol such as oatmeal ad other high fiber foods.

Source:

"Diabetes and the Statins" www.mercola.com

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Irradiation of Foods: what are the health risks?

Image via WikipediaThe FDA has approved of irradiating of foods to destroy dangerous organisms in chicken, eggs, beef, pork, lamb flour, herbs, spices fruit and vegetables.  In contrast, Europe only permits irradiation only for dried herbs, spices and vegetable based seasonings.

Since the FDA allows irradiation much more liberally, questions arise as to the safety of the food and the potential negative impacts on human health.  This blogpost will examine these concerns.

What is Food Irradiation?

Food irradiation can eliminate disease causing microorganisms such as E. Coli 0157:H7, campylobacter and salmonella from foods. 

The FDA has approved this practice since 1963 with the irradiation of wheat flour.  In 1964 white potatoes were irradiated to prevent sprouting, and in 1986, pork was irradiated to eliminate Trichinosis.  The list continues to grow with many meats, fruits, spices, herbs vegetables being added.

How does irradiation work?

Radiation breaks down bonds in the DNA molecules causing defects in the genetic instructions. This causes the organism to eventually die.

What are the reasons for concern?

Critics warn that this process, which uses X rays, gamma rays,  or electron beams, reduces nutrients in the food.  It may also raise the level of carcinogens in the food.


Proponents state that there is no reason for concern and that many bacteria and microorganisms that could cause disease are eliminated.

Bottom line

The bottom line is that irradiated foods carry the above symbol. Each individual and family would want to weigh the risks and benefits and decide accordingly. 

Sources:

Harrar, Sara "Banned in Europe, Okay here?" "O" Magazine

Genetically modified foods:what are the health risks?

Image via WikipediaDid you know that approximately 70 percent of the processed foods on American supermarket shelves contain ingredients from genetically modified soy, corn, canola and cottonseed?  This means that foods such as a snack items, baked goods, tomato sauce and breakfast foods all contain genetically modified ingredients as well. With such use comes questions: what are the health risks? What are genetically modified foods?

This post will examine these questions.

What are genetically modified foods?

Genetically modified foods contain ingredients that are genetically engineered so that they are bug,  herbicide and disease resitant. In addition to the list of foods above, also included in this designation are crookneck squash, zucchini and Hawaiian papaya which are all sold in the United States.

According to Michael K. Hansen, PhD, senior scientist with the Consumers Union, a nonprofit independent testing and advocacy group for product safety based in New York, in the article "Banned in Europe, Okay Here?" "These crops are not required to go through a mandatory safety assessment before going on the market."  He further adds. "There are still serious questions about health consequences that can arise when you genetically engineer an organism, then eat it." Now, how good does that make you feel about the food your family consumes?

In Europe, if a food contains more than .9 percent genetically modified ingredient, it must be labeled as such.  In the US, no such mandate exists.

What are the health risks?

Unfortunately, there hasn't been a lot of research available to say for sure but an early example includes a research study from the 1990s when researchers inserted a then not known highly allergenic protein from Brazil nuts into soybeans.  Due to this subsequent discovery, the bean was discarded due to possible severe allergic reactions.

The bottom line appears to be to shop where the food is certified-organic.

Sources:

Harrar, Sara, "Banned in Europe, Okay Here?" "O" Magazine

How Argan oil benefits your hair

I have been doing a lot of reading on natural hair care products since the start of this blog.  And,  I never cease to be amazed at all of the natural and health and beauty promoting products out there that have been used for women for centuries. (All without chemical preservatives). An example of one is Argon Oil.

Let's take a look at information regarding this beauty oil that has been used by women for centuries.

Argan Oil

Women of Morocco have been using this amazing oil for centuries. It is known world wide for its restorative effect on hair, skin and nails.

Argan oil grows on the Moroccan Argan tree.  It is high in vitamin E, which promotes hair health and growth.  It is also supposed to reduce drying time up to 40-50%.

On the hair, after short use, it reverse the appearance of dry, sull and frizzy hair.  It slao adds luster and softness to the hair without weighing it down or making it appear greasy.  It also detangles and helps prevent splint ends. Anything that helps reduce tangling is helpful to our hair so as to avoid tearing and breaking when hair is wet.

In Summary

Now, to be quite honest, I have not used argan oil yet, but, I have used many of the other healthful oils such as amla, argan oil and olive oil, all of which provide vitamins A and E, antioxidants.  These oils help to promote hair growth by curbing breakage. Hair is also soft, shiny and friz free.

I invite any reader who has used argan to leave a review regarding the product.