Natural Care for Your Eyes

Margaret Durst discusses natural care for your eyes. Many good dietary supplements are on the market, but the buyer has to beware, she says.

Vision problems occur for various reasons. Many times the problem is due to poor diet. A diet of denatured and preservative laden food leads to the free radical damage that is implicated in many conditions affecting the eyes.

A deficiency of just one vitamin can lead to various eye problems that can sometimes be corrected with supplementation of the correct vitamins and minerals. Most of the products for eyes include antioxidants such as vitamin A, zinc, lutein and zeaxanthin. There are many good eye formulations on the market; however, the buyer has to beware. Read more

Sufficient Zinc Intake Eases Pneumonia in Elderly

The elderly are more susceptible to pneumonia than younger people. A new study by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) found that sufficient zinc intake helps alleviate pneumonia in the elderly.

Dietary zinc is a widely used essential mineral that is commonly found in a wide range of foods, over-the-counter health products and supplements. There’s a large body of scientific evidence which suggests that consuming the adequate amount of zinc daily helps supports the human body’s natural immune function.

A stroll through your local pharmacy will no doubt turn up dozens of various zinc-fortified items, such as throat lozenges and other general cold and flu remedies. Its popularity as an additive stems from the fact that zinc is believed to be a necessary catalyst for more than 100 enzymes produced by the body. Without access to these enzymes the immune system is unable to function at full strength. Read more

Natural Remedies for Joint Pain

Do you suffer from the number one chronic illness? Margaret Durst has a long list of natural remedies for joint pain.

Joint Pain or arthritis is the number one chronic illness in America. One person in 7 suffers from it.

Many people are successfully using glucosamine, chondroitins and MSM to manage pain and to supply building materials for joint repair. While these are very helpful, particularly with osteoarthritis, I would like to mention some other natural remedies for arthritis. Read more

Could Omega-3 Fatty Acids Help to Prevent Brain Injury in Football Players or Soldiers?

Football is a dangerous game, mainly due to head-banging concussions. Now animal experiments suggest that taking the omega-3 fatty acid DHA might offer a new way of protecting against traumatic brain injury.

Animal experiments suggest that taking the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexanoic acid (DHA) might offer a new way of protecting against traumatic brain injury (TBI), reports the February issue of Neurosurgery, official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals, and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health, and pharmacy.

Although only preliminary, the results raise the "intriguing" possibility of preventive treatment with DHA in groups at high risk of TBI, such as military personnel and athletes in contact sports—including football players. The lead author is Dr. Julian E. Bailes of West Virginia University, Morgantown. Read more

Olive Oil, Grren Leaf Vegetables Prevent Heart Disease

A new study found that three tablespoons of olive oil or one serving of leafy, green vegetables daily can cut your risk of heart disease almost in half.

Italian researchers have confirmed that diets rich in leafy green vegetables and olive oil are vital for heart health. Dr. Domenico Palli from the Cancer Research and Prevention Institute in Florence and his colleagues discovered that women who eat at least one serving of leafy greens a day are 46 percent less likely to develop heart disease than women who eat less. And those who consume at least three tablespoons of olive oil a day earn roughly the same benefit. Read more

The Health Benefits of Turmeric

The health benefits of turmeric are numerous, says Dr. Andrew Weil.

Looking for a simple New Year's resolution for health? Add turmeric to your diet.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a culinary spice, a major ingredient in Indian curries, and the source of American mustard's bright yellow color. Used as both medicine and food for centuries, accumulating evidence suggests that this relative of ginger is a promising preventive agent for a wide range of diseases, probably due largely to its anti-inflammatory properties.

The National Institutes of Health lists 24 current studies on the effects of turmeric and its chief active component, curcumin. Such studies raise the question of which is better to take: whole turmeric, generally used as a powdered spice with food; or curcumin, which is usually taken as a supplement? Each has been shown to have health benefits, but unless you have a specific condition such as inflammatory bowel disease, I favor using turmeric (especially in cooking) rather than taking curcumin pills. This reflects my general belief that, until proven otherwise in head to head studies, whole plants are usually a better choice than isolates. On the other hand, curcumin appears to have a more rapid and dramatic effect, and may be the better choice as a therapeutic (rather than a preventative) preparation.

Here's a quick roundup of recent research on both turmeric and curcumin. Read more

Half a Teaspoon of Cinnamon Each Day Can Optimize Cholesterol Levels

Joseph Mercola explains what just half a teaspoon of cinnamon a day can do for you.

... As I discussed in yesterday's article on the insanity of Avandia, drugs are not the answer for type 2 diabetes. In that article, I described the natural and most effective way to address type 2 diabetes. If you haven't already read this article I would strongly encourage you to do so.

The two reports above are related in the sense that they demonstrate the power of natural therapies – as opposed to drugs – to combat this epidemic problem.

However, like drugs, supplements such as cinnamon or magnesium should not be misconstrued as cures. They are safer alternatives than drugs, but you cannot properly address your diabetes if you still maintain a sedentary lifestyle and a poor diet – with or without helpful supplements.

How Cinnamon Can Benefit Diabetics Read more

How to Cure a Sinus Infection

You can cure a sinus infection by adding apple cider vinegar or lavender to steam, clearing the sinuses with ginger tea and cayenne pepper, or by taking eyebright or golden seal.

Don't Get the Flu This Winter

You can resist the flu with natural immune boosters, says Margaret Durst.

Flu – we all want to avoid it. Here are some natural options that will help build your immunity so you do not get it.

Olive leaf enhances immune function and helps keep viruses from replicating. I see many people who tell me that they have not been sick since they began taking olive leaf daily. With olive leaf, quality is very important. The active component, oleuropein, should be 18% at a minimum. The best brands contain over 20% oleuropein.

Elderberry is another herb that builds immunity and keeps viruses from replicating. Read more

Reduce Cholesterol Naturally

There are many ways to reduce your cholesterol naturally, says Margaret Durst.

It seems like everyone wants to reduce their cholesterol. There are some great natural ways to do this, but everyone is unique – so what works for one, may not work for another. Cholesterol is necessary for many body functions, meaning that you don’t want to reduce it completely, but you don’t want unhealthy levels either. Read more

Natural Remedies for Prostate Health

Dr. Aaron Katz offers alternative natural remedies to keep the prostate healthy and treat prostate symptoms and conditions.

Cherries May Help You Sleep Better

This sounds better than sleeping pills: cherry juice reduces insomnia with older adults, according to a recent study.

Hopefully the cherry growers and distributor industry won't publicize this to bring more threats from the FDA upon them, but a pilot study by research scientists showed that tart cherry juice reduced insomnia with older adults. The study was conducted by researchers from two universities at the VA Center of Canandaigua, and the findings were published in the June 3, 2010 issue of the Journal of Medicinal Food. Read more

Use Natural Solutions and Styling Tips for Hair Loss

If you're suffering from hair loss, it may be due to the toxic hair products that you're using.  Natural alternatives may prevent hair loss and balding.

Scalp inflammation, poor diet, dehydration, stress, genetics and hormone imbalances are factors that can cause hair to fall out. Toxic hair products and over-styling can also damage the hair, causing it to thin. Incorporating vitamins and whole foods and choosing all natural hair products can prevent hair loss, thinning and balding. Read more

Anti-Snoring Exercises for Better Sleep

Relationships are not only ruined by irreconcilable differences, third parties, or simply falling out of love. Some relationships are ruined by snoring. Studies show that 23% of couples suffer from snoring problems. In fact, 80% of couples usually end up sleeping in different rooms because they can’t stand their partner’s snoring.

But more than the danger of ruined relationships, snoring can also lead to a serious case of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, a condition common among the depressed and those who are always exhausted. Sleep apnea can increase blood pressure, reducing the flow of oxygen to the brain and eventually, leading to stroke, heart attack or even worse, death.

Other studies further show that it can lead to diabetes. Since snoring reduces the intake of oxygen, the body produces more catecholamines, which leads to insulin resistance and ultimately, diabetes.

So, what’s the answer? There are a hundred and one natural remedies, plus other technology-aided remedies even involving surgeries. But another way out of this problem are through anti-snoring exercises.

Of course, it’s important to identify first the cause of snoring. Normally, as most snoring cases go, it’s a problem with breathing. There are throat exercises that open up your throat, preventing it from closing when you sleep. Such exercises strengthen and lift up the soft palate, so it won’t flap and rub against the tongue. With tongue exercises, you can strengthen it and prevent it from dropping into your throat when you sleep, which usually happens when you sleep on your back. It’s also important to loosen up the jaw as tense jaw muscles puts pressure on the breathing passages.

Try this exercise to loosen the jaw.

Start by putting the upper and lower molars together very lightly. Once done, open your mouth and press the molars as wide as you can. Do not stretch. Do ten to twenty repetitions. Focus on the molars – out them together and then lower your jaw. After several repetitions, you should feel your jaw muscles strengthening and the back of your mouth opening up. Feel the muscles contracting at the back of your throat? If you feel them opening up, then you’re doing a good job relaxing and strengthening them.

You can do twenty repetitions of this simple exercise in a minute or two a day.

For more anti-snoring exercises, check out sites on the Web offering cure-snoring programs. These exercises are simple, easy do-it-yourself, no-need-for-complicated-machinery-or-device activities you can try any time.

So, start those exercises and no-snore your way to a good night’s sleep. You might feel crazy opening your mouth and exercising your jaw, but it sure will be worth it. There’s nothing wrong with trying, after all, especially when it’s an answer to your sleepless nights.

Get the best sleep you've had in years with proven snoring remedies in a step-by-step guide that quickly and easily cure snoring permanently. To find out how to reinvigorate your love life, restore your energy, and regain the healing benefits of sleep for a more relaxed and stress-free you, click here!

Natural Remedies for Growing Hair Back

Natural remedies for growing hair back can avoid some of the complications of transplants and other processes. Hair loss is something that happens to most men and many women but the process can be prevented, slowed or even reversed in some cases.

Natural hair loss remedies come in various forms and the best results are likely to come from using more than one.

Massage

Scalp massage can stimulate hair growth where the loss is temporary or not severe, and can help to prevent further loss of hair. Gently massage the full scalp with your fingertips for about three minutes each day. Be careful not to scratch the scalp with your nails or damage any growing hair.

Massage with jojoba oil will provide the scalp with B and E vitamins plus many minerals that will give hair a boost. Jojoba oil is particularly effective if you have a tendency to skin problems, such as dandruff, eczema and psoriasis, or oily hair.

A Chinese form of massage said to stimulate the follicles involves tapping the scalp with the fingers of both hands. Beginning in the middle of the base of the skull at the back, tap about 20 times then move the tapping slowly upward and outward around the ears. Then begin again at the back a little higher than where you started before. Repeat until you have covered the whole scalp, finishing at the front.

Nutrition and Supplements

The hair requires a full balance of vitamins and minerals to grow healthily. Most of us do not get all that we need from our diets. Increasing your intake of fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables to around ten varied portions a day will go a long way toward rectifying any deficiencies.

Make sure that you are getting enough of these nutrients in particular:

Vitamin A
All B vitamins, especially B6 and B12
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Zinc
Iron
Copper
Iodine
Essential fatty acids

If any of the above nutrients are deficient in your diet you can either look for foods that contain more of them (best option) or take supplements, except for vitamin A which should always be supplied from food. The best food sources of vitamin A are orange and red vegetables, such as carrots, pumpkin, red pepper, etc, ,or dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach.

Men should pay particular attention to the amount of zinc in their diet because it is very important for the prostate. It is vital to have enough, but too much can cause problems.

Herbal Remedies

Men may find the herbal treatment Saw Palmetto useful in treating hair loss. This is believed to have an action on the prostate, which is involved in typical male pattern baldness. Be careful not to take too much because if the male hormones that lead to hair loss are reduced too far, breast tissue can develop.

Stress Relief

Stress can cause hair loss, so, therefore, anything you can do to reduce stress or anxiety in your life is likely to have a beneficial effect on your hair. Try meditation or practice relaxation techniques for ten minutes each morning, preferably after exercise. Regular exercise will both reduce stress and create a healthier skin and scalp.

These solutions may help in cases for male pattern baldness and age-related hair loss in women. They do not constitute a health treatment or cure. If your hair loss is related to health problems or medication or has an unknown cause, it is best not to rely on natural remedies for growing hair back, You should see your doctor.

For more information about inexpensive, natural programs to reverse hair loss, read my review of the two best programs I've found to reverse hair loss at my blog Reverse Hair Loss.

Fighting Baldness with Home Remedies

Nobody likes the idea of being bald. Working to regrow hair is not always easy, but there are several home remedies that have been known to actually work. You can use more than one at a time, but be sure you give any remedy you use some time to work.

Most people are not huge fans of onion, particularly of their smell. The benefits to your scalp are potentially huge though. Taking a piece of onion and rubbing it over the bald part of your head until it is slightly red, and then applying honey for a short period has been known to help improve the circulation of the scalp and in turn improve hair growth.

Another popular choice is the usage of coconut milk mixed with a bit of aloe vera gel. By mixing together equal parts of the gel and coconut milk, you will have a nice paste that you can use to spread around on your scalp and help stimulate the hair follicles to regrow hair. It is very important that you leave the treatment on for at least thirty minutes each time and do this a minimum of three times each week. After a couple of weeks, you should begin to notice some very small hairs regrowing.

Everyone knows that apple cider vinegar is a truly remarkable remedy. It can also be used to assist in hair growth. Add equal parts of the apple cider vinegar to a bit of sage tea and use it to rinse out the hair. This will help to also stimulate the hair follicles and help you to find a bit of fuzz regrowing.

If you do not see any immediate improvements, don't give up all of hope. There are several reasons why you might not see immediate results, which can range from a bad diet, to stress, to even problems with your overall health. Check with a doctor to ensure that you are not experiencing any serious medical problems that could be impacting your hair growth negatively.

For more information about inexpensive, natural programs to reverse hair loss, read my review of the two best programs I've found to reverse hair loss at my blog Reverse Hair Loss.

Is Marijuana a Natural Health Miracle?

Is marijuana a natural health miracle? The list of benefits continues to grow.

Last month, New Jersey passed a bill allowing chronically ill patients to alleviate their pain legally by smoking marijuana. If anything, New Jersey is beginning to show some common sense.

There is an extensive list of health benefits of taking marijuana. A recent study done by The Scripps Research Institute shows that THC, the chemical responsible for marijuana's "high," can help slow the process of Alzheimer's disease. Other studies show that THC is an effective treatment for nausea, beneficial for patients such as those undergoing chemotherapy. Marijuana also acts as a pain reliever and is often used by patients with multiple sclerosis and glaucoma. Additionally, as Hunter Johnson, 21, points out, when you take Marijuana, "you sleep good, have a good appetite."

Any negative impact of the drug comes from the actual smoke, not the cannabis that produces the benefits. But even the smoke has an advantage. The delivery of marijuana through smoke makes the effects felt by patients within minutes, which is ideal for the treatment of pain or nausea. But smoking marijuana isn't the only way of ingesting it. Read more

Scientists Find Walnuts Fight Prostate Cancer

Recently, scientists have found that walnuts could fight cardiovascular disease. Now researchers have discovered that walnuts also may help in preventing and/or treating prostate cancer.

Walnuts are a rich plant source of omega-3s, the fatty acids also found in cold water fish like salmon. Omega-3s are known to lower the risk of a host of health problems from depression to heart disease. Walnuts are also loaded with gamma tocopherol (a form of vitamin E), phytochemicals known as polyphenols, and antioxidants. Now, for the first time, scientists have reported that these nutrient-rich nuts have the ability to reduce the size and growth of prostate cancer. Read more

The 12 Most Frequently Recommended Herbal Remedies

Jennifer Newell of Health News lists the twelve most recommended herbal remedies and how to use them.

... While it is recommended that doctors be consulted before integrating herbal remedies into a daily regimen or treating a condition, most herbs are self-explanatory, as they give dosage instructions and recommended length of ingestion on the labels. Most importantly, when taking herbs, pay special attention to the body and any signs it gives that a particular treatment is not working; if the body rejects the option, it might be time to try another alternative, even if it is along the Western medicine route.

The top herbal remedy and one of the most well-known in modern society is the use of aloe vera for burns, whether the minor burns occur as a result of sun exposure or a kitchen accident. The actual aloe vera leaf is the most effective, rather than store-bought products, and the potted plant is simple to maintain with water. Read more

Top 10 Bad Things That Are Good for You

The health police are constantly declaring that the things you enjoy are bad for you, but should we believe them? Live Science lists the top 10 "bad" things that are good for you.

Beer quells heart disease and chocolate staves off cancer? Though often tagged with a disclaimer, studies that tell us to eat, inhale and generally indulge in "bad stuff" is music to our ears. So go ahead and enjoy these bad-for-you remedies-everything in moderation, as they say-until the next study inevitably overturns the research. Read more