News on Natural Remedies, Good Sleep and Good Health

Archive for January 2026

If you’ve ever gone to bed tired but found yourself tossing and turning no matter how exhausted you feel, you’re not alone.

Often, the problem isn’t just the day’s stress but also how we transition from the busy hours into bedtime.

A calming routine acts like a signal to your body that it’s time to relax, let go, and prepare for rest. A “Bridge” if you will, between a hectic day and a peaceful night.  Here’s a simple, enjoyable evening ritual you can try tonight.

Step 1: Set an Evening Reminder

Sometimes we get caught up in tasks and don’t realize how late it’s gotten. Try setting an alarm about an hour before bed. When it goes off, treat it as your cue to start winding down. This way, bedtime becomes a gentle routine instead of a rushed afterthought.

Step 2: Take a Warm Bath or Shower

A warm bath is more than just relaxing. When you step out of the warm water, your body temperature drops slightly, which naturally signals that it’s time to sleep. You can try adding calming touches like Epsom salts (rich in magnesium) or a few drops of lavender oil (if essential oils agree with you), to make it extra soothing.

Step 3: Do Gentle Stretches

Gentle stretching releases tight muscles and helps calm your nervous system. A few simple moves, like rolling your shoulders, stretching your arms overhead, or bending forward to loosen your back, can make a big difference.  A seated twist from side to side can also loosen the back muscles for even deeper relaxation.

Step 4: Read a Book (the Old-Fashioned Kind)

Put away your phone or tablet, since the blue light they give off can make it harder to fall asleep. Instead, pick up a physical book or magazine. Choose something lighthearted or inspiring rather than suspenseful. Within minutes, you’ll feel more relaxed.

Step 5: Listen to Calming Music

Soft, slow-paced music can reduce your heart rate and ease anxiety. Classical, acoustic, or nature sounds like ocean waves or rainfall are all excellent options. Keep the volume low so the music feels more like a background comfort than a performance.

Step 6: Write a To-Do List for Tomorrow

If your brain races at night with thoughts of what needs to get done, this step can be a lifesaver. Jotting down tomorrow’s tasks frees your mind from having to hold onto them. You’ll feel lighter knowing that everything is captured on paper and ready for you the next day.

Step 7: Take Calming Minerals Before Bed

Magnesium and calcium are two minerals that play a key role in relaxation and sleep. Magnesium helps muscles release tension and calms the nervous system, while calcium supports the brain’s ability to use amino acids that promote deeper rest. Taking them in the evening, with a light snack if needed, can set the stage for a smoother night.

Step 8: Dim the Lights and Unplug

Finally, lower the lights around your home to mimic the natural setting of the sun. Bright light tricks the brain into thinking it’s still daytime. By dimming lights, turning off electronics, and letting your environment match your routine, you’re giving your body the strongest signal of all: it’s time for sleep.

Summing it Up

A calming bedtime routine doesn’t need to be complicated. With simple steps like stretching, reading, writing a to-do list, and taking calming minerals, you can create a nightly ritual that tells your body it’s safe to rest. With practice, your evenings will become more peaceful — and your nights more refreshing.

Sleep Minerals II

This natural health news is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs, a publisher of nutrition articles and supplier of effective natural remedies since 2002. Nutrition Breakthroughs makes Sleep Minerals II, the effective natural sleep aid with calcium, magnesium, zinc and vitamin D

 L.R.C. of Massachusetts says: “I had become dependent on sleeping drugs and couldn’t sleep without them. Now I take the Sleep Minerals II before bed and I can sleep through the whole night without drugs. I’m also able to easily fall back to sleep if I do have to get up. Another benefit is this helps alleviate my chronic fatigue and aches and pains.”

There are some good remedies listed in this blog article for various conditions like low immunity, muscle cramps, joint pain, stomach bloating, low energy, insomnia and constipation. Have a look!

This health news is shared with you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the effective natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, and the natural solution for joint relief, allergies, pain relief and increased energy, Joints and More.

Welcome to another edition of “Fun Nutrition Facts!” Get ready to be entertained and inspired by some fascinating tidbits about the food we eat. Let’s dive in …

  1. Peppers Can Help with Pain Relief

Capsaicin is a plant chemical found in the fruit of chili peppers that gives them their burning sensation and sense of heat. Capsaicin is known for its pain-relieving properties. It works by desensitizing nerve receptors and is often used in topical creams to alleviate pain from arthritis and other conditions.  Spicy but soothing!

Reference: Anand, P., & Bley, K. (2011). Topical capsaicin for pain management: Therapeutic potential and mechanisms of action of the new capsaicin 8% patch. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 107(4), 490-502.

  1. Cranberries Can Prevent Urinary Tract Infections

Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins – plant chemicals that give the fruit or flowers of plants their red, blue, or purple colors.  This plant substance can prevent bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract. This makes cranberries effective in preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs) and they’re also helpful for gum health by preventing oral bacterial from binding together. Enjoy cranberry juice or dried unsweetened cranberries for a tasty health boost.

Reference: Jepson, R. G., Williams, G., & Craig, J. C. (2012). Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (10), CD001321.

  1. Kiwi Fruit Can Improve Sleep Quality

Eating two kiwis an hour before bedtime can improve sleep quality per recent studies. Kiwis are rich in serotonin and antioxidants (substances that keep cells healthy), both of which can help you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly. Sweet dreams are made of kiwis.

Reference: Lin, H. H., Tsai, P. S., & Fang, S. C. (2011). Effect of kiwifruit consumption on sleep quality in adults with sleep problems. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 20(2), 169-174.

Fun and Health Go Hand-in-Hand

Isn’t nutrition fascinating? From pain-relieving peppers to sleep-enhancing kiwis, these fun nutrition facts highlight the amazing world of food. Each week, we’ll bring you more surprising and inspiring nutritional facts to help you on your journey to healthier eating. Stay tuned!

This natural health news is shared by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the original and effective calcium and magnesium based sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, and Joints and More, a natural supplement for joint relief, less aches and pains, stronger hair and nails, and more energy.


This blog article is helpful, especially during times of cold weather. There are several things you can do for your overall health to warm up those cold hands and feet! Have a look at this article and start out with one of them.

This health news is shared with you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the effective natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, and the natural solution for joint relief, allergies, pain relief and increased energy, Joints and More.

Vitamin C is one of the most famous vitamins as it benefits so many areas of health. It isn’t stored in the body and its highest sources are fresh vegetables and fruits.

Vitamin C strengthens bones and teeth, heals wounds, fights infections, smooths skin wrinkles (by helping to make collagen), and supports heart and eye health.

Especially for a healthy heart, vitamin C benefits have been the topic of research studies for its ability to lower blood pressure and increase the health of blood vessels.

A recent study from research scientist Dr. Caitlin Dow at the University of Colorado at Boulder, focused on 35 obese or overweight adults. These adults are often advised to walk for exercise, but they can find it a challenge to include it in their daily lives.

Dr. Dow’s research found that 500 mg. of time-release vitamin C taken daily, reduces blood vessel constriction as much as walking does.

Overweight and obese people were chosen for the study as they have higher levels of a certain vessel-constricting protein which makes their blood vessels less responsive to blood flow — thus increasing the risk of developing vascular or heart disease.  Exercise has been shown to reduce the effects of this protein and to benefit blood vessels.

The University of Colorado study compared the daily use of vitamin C heart supplements to daily walking in a group of 35 sedentary, overweight individuals. Blood flow was measured before and after each alternate remedy.

The results: Daily supplementation of vitamin C (500 mg/day, time-released), reduced blood vessel constriction as much as the walking exercise did. They recommend that Vitamin C supplementation represents an effective lifestyle strategy for this condition.

In addition to this current study, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a review of 29 research trials on people with high blood pressure and concluded that vitamin C has a useful role in lowering it.

This health news is shared by Nutrition Breakthroughs, a provider of natural health articles and effective natural remedies since 2001. Nutrition Breakthroughs makes the original calcium and magnesium based sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, as well as Joints and More, the natural solution for joint relief, aches and pains and stronger hair and nails.

It has been said that all current drugs and medications are simply versions of herbs and foods that can be patented by the drug companies.

These herbs have been freely used throughout history for their healing benefits. The biggest jewel in the crown of all medicinal herbs is garlic. In earlier days, when antibiotics and other drugs weren’t in existence, the garlic clove stood in the place of the pharmaceutical industry for its large rainbow of potent health benefits.

Recent studies are confirming and substantiating the power of garlic. The ingredient in garlic that gives it its medicinal qualities is allicin.  Garlic is also high in sulfur and the vitamins B6, C and B1. Garlic was once known as “Russian Penicillin” because of its ability to act as a natural antibiotic against bacteria, viruses, fungus and colds, as well as its ability to strengthen the body to prevent overall disease.

1. Garlic Prevents the Common Cold – “Advances in Therapy” Journal

This study included 146 people who received either a placebo or an allicin-containing garlic supplement for 12 weeks. The participants recorded any common cold symptoms and infections in a daily diary. At the end of the study, there were 63% less colds in the garlic group and they recovered much faster when infected – in an average of 1.5 days versus 5 days.

This research also showed that those taking the placebo were much more likely to get more than one cold over the treatment period. The researchers concluded that: “An allicin-containing supplement can prevent attack by the common cold virus.”

2. Garlic Gel for Recurrent Hair Loss – “Indian Journal of Dermatology”

In order to determine the effectiveness of a garlic gel applied to the scalp for recurrent hair loss, researchers divided the participants into two groups. One group used a garlic gel for three months and the other used a placebo. In addition, both groups used a steroid cream on the scalp. The size of the patches and overall state of the hair was recorded each month.

At the end of the study, very good responses were observed in the garlic group. The study showed that the use of a garlic gel significantly added to the therapeutic benefits from the steroid cream and that it’s an effective hair loss remedy.

3. Heavy Metals in the Body Detoxified by Garlic – “Basic Clinical Toxicology” Journal

Workers at a car battery industry with chronic lead poisoning were used in this study. The workers were split into two groups: One that received allicin from garlic three times a day and the other group received the drug d-penicillamine. At the end of the four week study, the symptoms of lead poisoning were examined. The researchers reported significant improvement in the garlic group including less irritability, fewer headaches, better tendon reflexes and lower blood pressure. None of these benefits were seen in the d-penicillamine group.

4. Dietary Garlic Prevents Hip Arthritis – “Musculoskeletal Disorders” Journal

1,000 healthy female twins participated in this study. The team of researchers recorded the details of the diets of the twins and compared these with x-ray images that showed the degree of osteoarthritis development in the hips, spine and knees.

Their discovery was that a high intake of vegetables and fruits, particularly those high in sulfur such as garlic and onions, resulted in lower signs of the beginnings of osteoarthritis in the hip.

Dr Frances Williams, lead author of the study from King’s College London, said: “…These findings may point the way towards future treatments and prevention of hip osteoarthritis.”

5. Aged Garlic Extract Lowers Blood Pressure – “Maturitas” (the European Menopause Journal)

This study followed 50 patients over a 12 week treatment period. The patients were being treated with medication for high blood pressure, but it remained high and uncontrolled. The results showed that an aged garlic extract was effective in lowering blood pressure for patients with uncontrolled hypertension.

6. Garlic Enhances Exercise Tolerance – “Indian Journal of Physiology”

In a study of 30 patients with heart disease, treadmill tests were to examine their exercise capacity.  After the initial test, they were given garlic oil capsules daily for six weeks. When the test was repeated, it was shown that the garlic had greatly improved their heart rate at peak exercise and had also reduced the work load on the heart. This gave the patients better exercise tolerance and ability.

7. Garlic Lowers Risk of Lung Cancer by 44% – “Cancer Prevention Research”

In this 7-year long study, researchers at a medical center in China interviewed 1,424 lung cancer patients and also 4,543 healthy people. They were asked questions about their diet, smoking and how often they ate garlic. Raw garlic consumption of 2 times or more per week was found to be associated with a 44% prevention of lung cancer. For those in the study who smoked, the risk of lung cancer was still reduced by about 30% for those who ate the raw garlic.

How to Take Garlic

Garlic is best eaten raw. Some tasty ways to receive the benefits of garlic include adding it to homemade salsa, guacamole, salad dressings, pasta sauce, in mashed potatoes, and mixed with butter and then spread on bread. It can also be added to vegetable smoothies and hot vegetable dishes.

If raw garlic causes any stomach upset, there are many garlic supplements available that contain good amounts of allicin.

This health news is shared with you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, a provider of nutrition articles and effective natural remedies since 2001. Nutrition Breakthroughs makes the original calcium and magnesium based natural sleep remedy Sleep Minerals II, as well as Joints and More, the natural solution for joint relief, aches and pains and stronger hair and nails.

Many people who experience the pain of headaches or migraines are reaching out for natural remedies, as they would prefer to avoid taking drugs or medications.

A headache is defined as a continuous pain in the head, whether it’s a chronic daily tension headache caused by muscle contractions or it’s a full blown migraine. A migraine is a throbbing, pounding pain that can last from a few hours to a few days. It can come from sensitivity to noise or light and often has an aspect of nausea or stomach upset.

Aside from over the counter drugs or prescription medications, there are a number of natural headache remedies that have been shown in studies to be effective.  Here are some of the most studied ones.

B vitamins

In a study from Griffith University in Brisbane Australia, scientists studied 52 people diagnosed with migraines. They were split into two groups and one half received a daily dose of B vitamins that included 25 milligrams of B6, 2 milligrams of folic acid (vitamin B9), and 400 micrograms of B12,  After six months, there was a significant lessening of migraine disability and symptoms from 60% to 30%. No reduction was seen in the placebo group.

Cayenne

The powerful active ingredient in Cayenne pepper is known as capsaicin. It is known for its ability to remedy pain and inflammation. One study on capsaicin for headache relief was published in the Clinical Journal of Pain. The researchers noted that capsaicin inhibits Substance P in the body, which is a substance that helps transmit pain signals. Substance P is a part of what creates feelings of pain and capsaicin helps to remove it. The study found that when capsaicin was applied topically to the nasal passages, the participants found relief for headaches, whereas those taking the placebo didn’t. Capsaicin is available as a pill, skin cream or nasal spray.

Gluten free diet

In the quest for natural remedies for headaches, scientists have researched whether or not there’s a connection between migraine headaches and the gluten found in wheat, barley, rye and oats. Gluten is a protein-like substance that gives the dough from grains its elastic texture. One study from the journal “Neurology” discovered that eating a gluten-free diet brought relief from migraines to 9 out of 10 of the participants. This leads to the possibility that foods containing gluten can bring on headaches.

Magnesium

Studies have found that people with migraine headaches have low concentrations of magnesium in their body. The word “cephalalgia” literally means head pain or headache. In a German study of 81 migraine patients published in the journal “Cephalalgia”, 42 percent of the people taking oral magnesium reduced both the duration and intensity of their migraine attacks. They also reduced their reliance on medications to control migraines.

Natural headache remedies can be a good first defense against headaches and migraines and can help one avoid strong medications that can come with side effects.

This natural health news is shared with you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, a provider of nutrition articles and effective natural remedies since 2001. Nutrition Breakthroughs, makes the original calcium and magnesium based natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, as well as Joints and More, the natural solution for joint relief, aches and pains, stronger hair and nails and more energy.

 

Sometimes just taking a drink of pure, fresh water can lighten our spirit and improve overall health. Hydration means to supply with ample fluid or moisture. Studies are finding that being well-hydrated with water can assist with weight loss, help relieve fatigue and migraines, and improve mood and concentration.

Water is one of the best natural remedies and is vital to life.  It ranges from 75% of body weight in infants to 55% of body weight in the elderly. The more water we drink, the better it circulates through the body, bringing essential nutrients and vitamins to places they are needed and flushing out toxins.

Water provides its health benefits without calories or sugar and actually comes in many forms such as spring water, carbonated water, mineral water, distilled water and well water. It is present in soups, stews, and teas, and is found within the most beneficial of all foods: vegetables and fruits.

Water is gaining attention for its ability to be an appetite-controller that has no side effects, costs very little and requires no prescription. In a study from the American Chemical Society, participants aged 55 to 75 all ate a low-calorie diet during the study. They were divided into two groups — one of the two groups drank 2 cups of water prior to their meals and the other didn’t. Over the course of the 12-week study, the water-drinkers lost five more pounds than the non-water drinkers.

Researchers from the Netherlands set out to prove the common notion that dehydration is considered to result in headaches and they studied 18 patients with migraine headaches. One group was given a placebo and the other was instructed to increase their daily intake of water. In the group that increased their intake of water by a quart a day, the total overall hours of headache were reduced by 21 hours in 2 weeks.

An easy way to increase the water intake is to fill a container with a quart of water and bring it along to drink throughout the day. Avoid tap water and use the filtered, spring or distilled varieties. Eating more raw fruits and vegetables is another key strategy; not only because of their high water content, but because of the plant chemicals they contain. Known as “phytochemicals”, these active nutrients provide the colors of the plants and give benefits to the heart, eyes, hormones and more.

This health news is shared with you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the effective natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, and the natural solution for joint relief, allergies, pain relief and increased energy, Joints and More.

light exercise helps mens heartsA study that was published in a recent issue of the British medical journal Lancet found that taking up or maintaining light to moderate physical activity reduces heart attacks and extends the lifespan for middle aged to older men.

It is interesting to note that this began as a heart disease study, but it ended up finding that exercise extends life and reduces heart attacks in all men, with or without heart disease.


The research spanned 20 years. The Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences at the Royal Free Hospital in London conducted it. Almost 8,000 men, aged 40-59 were selected from 24 British towns and were enrolled in the study. The researchers kept track of their physical activity and exercise information.

The men who were sedentary, inactive, and who did a lot of sitting at the beginning of the study, and who began at least light exercise activity several years later, had a significantly lower death rate from all causes than those who remained sedentary.The study concluded that taking up or maintaining light physical activity improved the life span and reduced heart attacks for both groups of men (those who had heart disease and those who didn’t). These results are actually quite sweeping – By doing some light to moderate exercise all men can significantly strengthen their heart and increase their lifespan.


This health news is shared with you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the effective natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, and the natural solution for joint relief, allergies, pain relief and increased energy, Joints and More.

Here’s a good overview on the health benefits of black carrots. They may be more easily found in health food stores or in combination with yellow and orange carrots in pre-packed plastic bags. Add some variety to your carrot-eating and try the purple and yellow variety along with the ever-healthy orange ones!

This health news is shared with you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the effective natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, and the natural solution for joint relief, allergies, pain relief and increased energy, Joints and More.


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