Posts Tagged ‘Natural Remedies’

No More Crashes – Balancing Blood Sugar Naturally

Comments: 0October 19th, 2011 by admin



We’ve all heard the expression, “sugar high,” but for those with diabetes, the words take on new meaning. If your body is resistant to insulin (the substance that manages blood sugar levels) it can no longer produce an adequate insulin supply and this “sugar high” can have serious consequences.

Because I see many diabetic patients I have spent many hours researching the affects of high blood sugar levels. The valuable information provided below might be very help for you or someone you know who should consider controlling blood sugars with more natural options.

Insulin: The Key to Blood Sugar Control

When we eat, the sugar in processed foods, sweets and refined carbohydrates is converted to glucose, a form of blood sugar. This stimulates rapid insulin production, which causes blood sugar levels to plummet. In turn, the adrenal glands send a message to the liver to release its stored supply of glucose. Thus, the bloodstream is again flooded with sugar, and the cycle continues.

In people with diabetes, the cells become resistant to insulin, making it difficult to balance blood sugar. Sometimes insulin production is halted and must be obtained from an outside source.

The goal of treatment for diabetes is to supply the correct amount of insulin that will keep blood sugar levels in balance. If you have diabetes, you are certainly working in concert with your doctor on a course of treatment. However, there are many natural options for balancing blood sugar that you can explore with your doctor’s guidance. In the course of my research, I have evaluated studies suggesting the benefits of these natural remedies.

Finding a Balance

Here is a list of natural substances showing great promise for balancing blood sugar in people with diabetes. Talk to your doctor about exploring these alternative treatments.

1) Alpha-lipoic acid - Studies show this antioxidant speedily flushes glucose from the bloodstream to help prevent kidney damage. It has also been used effectively to ease symptoms of nerve damage in diabetes patients, such as burning, itching, tingling and numbness. As an antioxidant, it fights free radical damage to the cells, and may be taken in supplement form.

2) Chromium – This trace mineral shows great promise in diabetes treatment. A February 2008 study in the journal, Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics, showed that it can help the body metabolize glucose at a steady rate, improving blood sugar control. It is most effective, say the study authors, when paired with biotin, the B vitamin.

3) Fenugreek - This herb appears to slow carbohydrate absorption and glucose transport in the body. It also increases the number of insulin receptors in red blood cells-an excellent benefit if you suffer from insulin resistance.

4) Cinnamon - This spice has been used medicinally for over 4,000 years. A 2008 study published in the Proceedings of the Nutrition Society showed that it can improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control. It is important to use a water-based cinnamon extract for maximum effect, as opposed to powdered cooking cinnamon.

5) Vanadium - According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a recent study showed that this compound, found in plants and animals, may regulate blood glucose levels and increase insulin sensitivity, so that diabetes patients may potentially decrease their insulin dosage.

I hope this information has introduced you to the possibility of managing your blood sugar levels in a more natural way. New studies of these and other natural remedies are being undertaken to improve diabetes care and make patients less reliant on harsh treatments. With the help of your doctor, you will be able to find a plan that works for you and your personal health needs.

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Posted in Diabetes

Asthma: No More a Handicap

Comments: 0August 31st, 2011 by admin



Asthma is posing a great challenge to the medical science for its prevention and cure. Even the best prepared individuals can suffer from the sudden attacks of Asthma and the serious attacks can even bring life to an end.

It is very important for a person to be aware of the fact that he is suffering from Asthma. Monitoring the conditions of Asthma on continuous basis is an essential step towards its treatment. Depending on the situation, there are three important and effective steps to be followed for the cure of Asthma. They are as given below:

” Reducing the chances of attacks: The Asthma sufferer will have to keep in mind the circumstances which aggravates Asthma and may cause an attack. Only then they would be able to take necessary preventive measures. Air pollution is the most prominent factor which may cause the attack of Asthma and it also creates many other respiratory problems.

” Relief from the attack: One of the methods of relief for Asthmatics is to make use of a kit called a Bronchodilator. It is designed only for less serious attacks. As the seriousness of the situation increases, additional medication is required. Low dose of glucocorticoids or a mast cell stabilizer can be used for the patients who get more regular attacks.

” Immediate treatment in case of severe attack: Oral glucocorticoids may be used for those Asthma patients who need strong medication for severe attacks. Bronchodilator works as a standard reliever for all asthma patients.

Any long term use of medication to relieve attacks can create harmful side-effects like impotence, fatigue, liver damage, dizzy spells, and depression. Many patients are now following natural remedies which do not have adverse side-effects. Yoga is playing a vital role in Asthma treatment as many yoga exercises are focused mainly on breath control. According to research findings, the diet plays a crucial role in reducing Asthma symptoms. Omega-3 fatty acids, present originally in high-fat fish such as mackerel, salmon or cod, help the body to produce more elements that help to decrease Asthma inflammation.

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Posted in Allergy And Sinus

Natural and Alternative Health Remedies for Anemia & Iron Poor Blood

Comments: 0March 26th, 2011 by admin



Anemia or iron poor blood is a condition where there aren’t enough healthy red blood cells in the body to carry sufficient amounts of oxygen to the tissues. Each of our red blood cells contains hemoglobin, an iron rich protein that gives it its red color. Hemoglobin is responsible for the transportation of oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body.

If you loose too many red blood cells, destroy them before they are replaced or produce cells that are unhealthy, you can end up experiencing symptoms of anemia. Symptoms can include fatigue, chest pain, angina, shortness of breath, irritability, dizziness, light headedness, rapid heartbeat, numbness or coldness in extremities, headaches or pale skin.

Anemia can result from inherited disorders, nutritional problems (such as iron or vitamin deficiency) infections, some kinds of cancer, exposure to drugs or toxins. In fact there are over 400 different forms of anemia; however, in this article we will focus on the most common forms, iron deficiency anemia, B12 deficiency and folate deficiency.

Iron Deficiency Anemia – Iron deficiency anemia occurs when the amount of iron in the body is too low, thus affecting hemoglobin production. It is most often found where there is ongoing blood loss, such as in women with heavy menstrual periods, as well as in individuals who suffer from conditions such as bleeding ulcers, gastroenteritis, hemorrhoids, colon polyps or colon cancer. Other causes can include issues with absorption, where the body is unable to absorb iron from the foods we eat, or eating a diet low in iron.

In addition to iron, the body needs vitamin B12 and folic acid to produce healthy red blood cells. A diet lacking in these nutrients are prone to anemia as well.

B12 Anemia – There are a few reasons why someone may suffer from B12 anemia. They include the inability of the body to absorb vitamin B12, such as those with intestinal disorders which affect absorption of nutrients. The individual may also suffer from Pernicious Anemia where the body stops producing a substance called “intrinsic factor”, which is needed to absorb B12 from the diet. Another cause many of us have heard of is a vegetarian diet which excludes eggs, dairy products, meat and fish – all of which are sources of vitamin B12.

Folate Deficiency – Similar in cause to B12 Anemia is folate deficiency. Folate, or folic acid is found in foods such as leafy green vegetables. Over the years, cases of folate deficiency in the US have declined, since many of the grain product and cereals we eat are fortified with folic acid. During pregnancy, however, increased levels of folic acid are necessary to prevent defects of the brain and spiral cord of the fetus.

Thankfully, there are a number of natural and alternative health remedies you can try to help restore health, healing and wholeness in your life.

Recommendations For Wellness

In addressing anemia it is important to know its cause, so talk to your doctor and ask him/her to run a blood test to evaluate your health and help you to determine what type of anemia you may have.

Excessive iron can be toxic to the body, so do not take iron supplements without first talking to your health care provider.

Eat a well balanced diet which includes a variety of whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Avoid drinking coffee, tea, beer or cola drinks with your meals. They can significantly lower iron absorption. Instead, drink citrus juices or supplement with vitamin C. Vitamin C has been show to help support the body’s ability to absorb iron.

Take a high quality vitamin and mineral supplement to support any nutritional deficiencies that may be found in the body.

Herbs such as dong quai, dandelion, barley greens and alfalfa are all great sources of vitamins and minerals.

The herb yellow dock is a natural and organic source of iron as is blackstrap molasses.

Panax ginseng can be used to help counteract the fatigue experience by those who suffer from anemia.

If your anemia is associated with a B12 deficiency or folic acid deficiency, supplement with a complex B vitamin. Folic acid needs the catalysts vitamins B12 and B6 to carry out its functions effectively.

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Posted in anemia

Is it Possible to Cure Asthma?

Comments: 0March 29th, 2010 by admin



If you are an asthma sufferer, chances are you fear the onset of another attack. After experiencing your first of many attacks, you start wondering if it is possible to cure asthma. Unfortunately, until today, scientists have not yet established if it is possible to cure the said disease.

Asthma is basically an inflammation of the air passages. Once your air passages start to constrict, you will experience the different symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain and tightness. Asthma treatment is focused upon resolving the inflammation of the air passages. Anti-asthma medications cannot cure asthma because these simply prevent an attack from occurring and exacerbation of symptoms. The said medications are for prevention and control, not cure.

Some people say that certain herbs are possible to cure the said disease. These herbs like angelica, anise, and turmeric are like anti-asthma medications. These address the inflammation and symptoms. These remove the symptoms but not permanently. This is the reason why an herb is not a possible cure to asthma.

Is breathing treatment possible to cure asthma? There are many different breathing exercises used. Examples of these are the Pranayama breathing exercises and Buteyko method. Unfortunately, any of the breathing exercises is not possible to cure asthma. Like herbs and anti-asthma medications, breathing exercises are for control and prevention. Even if you do breathing exercises everyday, you are still at risk of experiencing an attack when you are exposed to an asthma trigger.

These natural ways to treat the said disease are effective although not one of them is possible to cure asthma. The incidence of an attack is lowered if breathing exercises are used in conjunction with anti-asthma medications. Even the use of anti-asthma medications is reduced if these natural remedies are used. But, doctors warn against using breathing exercises and herbs in place of anti-asthma medications. Since anti-asthma medications have sufficient data that establish their safety and effectiveness, asthma sufferers are advised never to stop taking these medications as prescribed.

Once you have asthma, you cannot completely get rid of the symptoms through any form of treatment. This is because once you get exposed to the trigger, you will definitely experience an attack. Therefore, the only way to get rid of the symptoms is by completely avoiding exposure to the trigger.

It is really unfortunate that like cancer, there is no cure for the said disease yet. To date, the only promising possible cure is complete non-exposure to the trigger. No asthma sufferer has done this so far. If you cannot guarantee complete non-exposure to the trigger, you always have to bring your anti-asthma medications with you in case of an asthma attack.

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Posted in Allergy And Sinus

Allergies – Natural Cures For Allergies

Comments: 0February 15th, 2010 by admin



We all get a cold and in many cases it can stem form allergies. There are natural remedies that you can use to help you improve you from getting allergies and thus not feeling well. It is important to first understand how allergies work and what is causing them. Basically what happens is you inhale something and then you have a overaggressive immune response to what was inhaled. There are some people who can handle the particles and they do not have an issue but them other will have a problem and it will cause a flare up so it is good to know what to when this happens to you.

Most all of us do get allergies from time to time and some of the most popular ones are Hay Fever, Food Allergies and Chemical Sensitivity. Usually Hay Fever hits us during the spring season because there are a lot of particles that are new into the air after winter. You have new flowers blooming and this will cause there to be a high amount of particles in the air we breathe. Another common allergy is if you eat something and break out all of a sudden then you could possibly be allergic to whatever it was that you ate.

Remember that there are a lot of reasons that your can get allergies and they can cause you to feel ill. It is important that you take vitamins and eat lots of leafy green vegetables because you need to build up your immune systems to help fight these common allergy problems.

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Posted in Allergy And Sinus