Posts Tagged ‘natural remedies’
Hormones are magical chemical substances that act like messengers in the body. After being made in one part of the body, they travel to other areas where they help control how cells and organs do their work. For example, steroid hormones are fat-soluble molecules made from cholesterol.
Among these are estrogen, testosterone and progesterone. Males and females make all three, but in different amounts. Ideal hormone balance occurs when the body has just the right amount of each hormone available to operate at peak health. Research studies are discovering factors that can create hormone imbalances, as well as offering solutions to balance hormones.
One chemical substance famous for disrupting hormone balance is Bisphenol A (BPA). It is a chemical found in hard plastics and the coatings of food and drink cans which can behave in a similar way to estrogen and other hormones in the human body. It is also used to make water bottles, baby bottles, eyeglass lenses, DVD’s and more.
One study from the UK found that BPA reduces testosterone levels in men. Another study from Massachusetts found a link between BPA and infertility in women. It has also been linked to diabetes and heart disease. A few key ways to avoid exposure to BPA is to not eat or drink foods or beverages from cans, and to avoid drinking water from plastic water bottles — unless the labeling says it is BPA free.
Research from the University of Chicago has found that sleep deprivation can have a pronounced effect on one’s hormonal health. The pituitary gland in the brain is known as the “master gland” as its hormones control the thyroid gland, adrenals, ovaries and testes. The pituitary is markedly influenced by sleep. During sleep, beneficial hormonal factors are activated, but these are greatly reduced by sleep deprivation. On a positive note, the alterations that occur during a sleepless night can be completely reversed during recovery sleep.
A study from the journal “Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey” shared the many beneficial effects that omega 3 fats can have on women’s hormone balance. These healthy fats are found in salmon, sardines, fish oil capsules, olive oil and fresh vegetables. Omega 3’s can reverse PMS and increase fertility in women. The researchers also mention evidence showing omega 3’s can prevent menopause symptoms, postmenopausal osteoporosis and heart disease.
According to Dalene Barton-Schuster, Senior Herbalist, studies have shown that extreme exercise results in hormonal disruption. She says “Regular, moderate exercise has been shown to strengthen muscles, build stamina, increase flexibility, increase circulation, reduce stress and prevent depression and anxiety — while also promoting regular detoxification of excess hormones and toxins in the body.”
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.
Article source: http://www.nutritionbreakthroughs.com/blog/2015/08/26/studies-and-tips-on-balancing-hormones-naturally/
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.
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Included below is a great chart showing the top 10 Vitamin D rich foods. Vitamin D is known as the “Sunshine Vitamin” as spending time outdoors in the sun is known to increase vitamin D in the body via the skin. Our ancestors spent a considerable amount of their time outdoors, but for the first time in history, large amounts of the world population spend most of their time inside their offices and homes.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recommends some regular sun exposure (usually 5–10 min of exposure of the arms and legs or the hands, arms, and face, 2 or 3 times per week) and increased dietary and supplemental vitamin D to guarantee getting enough and preventing a vitamin D deficiency. The foods highest in vitamin D are featured in the chart below.
Vitamin D supports healthy bones, reduces diabetes risk, strengthens the immune system, remedies insomnia and soothes skin conditions. One study on vitamin D supplements for people with insomnia was published in the journal “Medical Hypothesis”. The researchers followed 1500 patients over a 2 year period. A consistent level of vitamin D3 was maintained in their blood over many months.
This produced normal sleep in most of the participants, regardless of their type of sleep disorder. During the research, the authors discovered the presence of high concentrations of vitamin D “receiving sites” or “receptors” in those areas of the brain that are related to the onset and maintenance of sleep.
Vitamin D supports healthy bones. Vitamin D deficiency is a known cause of rickets (soft bones) in children and osteoporosis in adults.The pioneering nutritionist Adelle Davis writes about vitamin D in her book “Let’s Get Well”. She says: “Vitamin D increases calcium absorption…and controls the enzymes necessary to deposit minerals in bones and teeth. This vitamin can be produced on the skin by sunshine provided the oils have not been washed off (the skin).”
A study from the Journal of Investigative Medicine found that vitamin D has important functions beyond those of supporting calcium and bones in the body. It concluded that vitamin D is a boost to immunity and a deficiency of the vitamin is common in autoimmune disease – a disease where the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells by mistake. These include multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease.
In the “Top 10 vitamin D Foods” chart below, the foods are shown with their amounts of vitamin D and what percentage of the recommended daily value (DV) they have. For example, 3 ounces of sardines provides 164 IU (international units) of vitamin D and this is 41% of the recommended daily intake of 400 IU. Daily values are developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help provide a general guideline, however doses of 1,000 to 2,000 IU or more daily are not uncommon.
Good vitamin D foods include cod liver oil, sardines, salmon, mackerel, eggs, herring, raw maitake mushrooms, and vitamin D fortified milk and yogurt.
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.
Enjoy the chart….
Shared by www.NutritionBreakthroughs
Hello,
There is an informative chart below with the top 10 health benefits of yogurt and acidophilus. These include improving digestion, reducing the risk of diabetes, assisting weight loss, reducing cholesterol, and stimulating a stronger immune system.
One study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming yogurt or the beneficial bacteria from it, has promising health benefits for many conditions and increases immunity. Some of these include constipation, diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, stomach bacteria infections and allergies.
A study on yogurt was published in the journal called “Archives of Osteoporosis”. It reviewed the ability of yogurt to strengthen bones and found that milk and yogurt are the best dairy choices for increasing bone mineral density in the hip.
Yogurt is a boost to weight loss. A healthy supplement similar to the acidophilus used in yogurt was recently found in a Canadian study to help overweight women lose weight and keep it off. It was discovered that the supplement made the intestinal wall stronger and more able to prevent inflammatory, obesity-causing substances from passing into the intestine and entering the bloodstream.
This news is shared with you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, provider of natural health 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.
Enjoy the chart…
Provided by http://Nutrition Breakthroughs
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a form of insomnia that causes an overwhelming urge to move the legs when they are at rest, especially during sleep. Those who have restless leg syndrome experience unpleasant sensations in the legs described as creeping, crawling, tingling, pulling or painful. Recent research studies have found that people with restless leg syndrome have a magnesium deficiency.
In one study from the Romanian Journal of Neurology, researchers conducted tests in people with restless leg syndrome. They found agitated sleep and frequent periods of night time awakenings, with significantly less of the deeper “rapid eye movement” (REM) sleep – also found in other forms of insomnia caused by magnesium deficiency.
Mineral-based sleep aids are becoming more popular with RLS sufferers. One example is Sleep Minerals II, a drug-free, calcium and magnesium based sleep aid that is one of the more effective restless leg syndrome remedies. The minerals are formulated in a softgel with natural oils, making them more highly absorbable than tablets or capsules. This formula helps everyone from older adults, to teenagers, to women with menopause symptoms, as well as those with restless leg syndrome – to get a good night’s sleep.
Kimberly B. of Troy Michigan gives her review and says: “I have been taking Sleep Minerals II for about a month now. I have tried everything out there and this supplement is amazing. I have suffered with insomnia for two and a half years and have had restless leg syndrome my entire life. This is the first relief I’ve ever had…it’s gone for a month now.”
J.M. of Florida says: “My restless legs were so bad that after 5:00 p.m. I could hardly sit down for two minutes without my legs moving. After taking the Sleep Minerals II for a while, my restless leg syndrome is greatly diminished and I’ve noticed I’m getting more and more sleep.”
Valerie. H. in Santa Clarita, CA. says: “I had such bad menopause insomnia that I couldn’t fall asleep. It took me hours to get to sleep even though I was very tired. I also had creepy crawly feelings in my legs at night. I got the Sleep Minerals II and started taking it. I fall asleep now within 20 minutes and no more restless legs.”
Jill C. of Ellensburg, Washington says: “My husband has been struggling with restless leg syndrome his whole life. He couldn’t sleep more than three to five hours unless he took an addictive prescribed narcotic, which he became tolerant to and the insomnia came back with no answers. Now he’s been taking Sleep Minerals II for a week and every night he’s had a great night’s sleep.”
This health news is shared with you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, provider of natural health 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.
Almost six out of ten Americans experience insomnia and sleep problems at least a few nights a week, as reported in a recent study done by the National Sleep Foundation. Insomnia is defined as “An inability to fall asleep or remain asleep long enough to feel rested, especially when the problem continues over time.”
In an effort to combat this, as many as twenty-five percent of the people in the U.S. turn to sleep drugs. Because most people would prefer to avoid the side effects and addiction of sleep medications, research scientists have been busy studying nutritional and lifestyle approaches to getting better sleep.
Tip # 1 – We live in an electronics-oriented world, from computers, to cell phones, to texting, to reading books on tablets. These tools help increase our efficiency and ability to work and learn and communicate, but when it comes to getting good sound sleep, they can interfere.
One study from a university in New York found that exposure to light from electronic displays can suppress melatonin by about twenty two percent. Melatonin is a hormone made in the brain that helps to regulate the sleep/wake cycle. It is present in higher amounts at night. The researchers recommend shutting off all electronic devices at least one hour before bedtime and doing some relaxing things before bed.
Tip # 2 – Regarding sounder, deeper sleep resulting from taking walks, studies at the University of Arizona have found that walking more than six blocks a day at a normal pace significantly improves sleep at night for women. Scientists suspect that walking helps to set our biological clock into a consistent sleep pattern. Walking can help increase “endorphins”, which are protein-like chemicals made in the brain that can have a relaxing effect, a pain-relieving effect, and can also reduce stress and increase well-being.
Tip # 3 – Sometimes hunger can strike at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning and keep one awake. If this occurs, eat something with high protein such as turkey. Turkey contains tryptophan, which is an amino acid (a component of protein) that has a calming effect. According to Ray Sahelian, M.D., “Tryptophan ….can be converted at night into melatonin, the sleep-inducing hormone.”
As a note, concentrated tryptophan capsules are not recommended as they can create grogginess in the morning and take some time to wear off. Other foods that are high in tryptophan include nuts, seeds, chicken, fish, oats, beans, lentils, and eggs.
Tip # 4 – When taking natural sleep aids, it’s good to remember that each person is a unique individual and doing some experimenting with the dosage can be instrumental in achieving success. At first, err on the side of taking too little rather than too much. Another thing to keep in mind is that natural aids are not drugs and they may not work immediately with the first dose or even the first few doses. It can take up to a couple weeks to see results.
James F. Balch, M.D., author of Prescription for Nutritional Healing, writes: “A lack of the nutrients calcium and magnesium will cause you to wake up after a few hours and not be able to return to sleep.” In one study published in the European Neurology Journal, researchers found that calcium levels in the body are higher during some of the deepest levels of sleep, such as the rapid eye movement (REM) phase. In the study, taking calcium restored normal sleep patterns.
One example of a mineral-based sleep remedy is Sleep Minerals II from Nutrition Breakthroughs. This sleep aid contains highly absorbable forms of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D. The ingredients are delivered in a softgel form with healthy carrier oils, making them more easily assimilated than capsules or tablets and providing a deeper, longer-lasting sleep.
Richard P. of Parkville, Maryland says: “The Sleep Minerals are making quite a difference. I was regularly waking up at around 3:00 a.m. and after a few days use my sleep improved quite a lot. I wake up once a night to go to the bathroom, but the great thing is, I then fall back asleep and sleep several more hours. This has been a great improvement.”
A few small changes in one’s life can go a long way towards remedying insomnia and giving oneself the gift of consistent, good sleep.
For more information on Sleep Minerals II, visit here.
Article source: http://www.nutritionbreakthroughs.com/blog/2015/01/31/four-researched-tips-to-remedy-insomnia-and-improve-sleep/
Anyone who has experienced a bladder infection can attest to the unpleasant symptoms of lower abdomen pain, a burning feeling during urination, an urgency to urinate frequently, and possibly cloudy urine.
Bladder infections can interfere with sleep and create insomnia by causing frequent trips to the bathroom during the night. Both women and men can develop bladder infections.
A couple of good tips would be to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day, especially chlorine-free (non-tap) water, and to decrease the amount of refined white sugar in the diet. The last fluids should be consumed about an hour before bedtime in order to let the bladder empty before bed.
Regarding white sugar, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that when healthy volunteers consumed a large amount of refined sugar, their immune system’s white blood cells had an impaired ability to destroy bacteria for at least five hours.
Antibiotics are the standard medical treatment for bladder infections, and while they are sometimes necessary, those who do not want to regularly use antibiotics have the option of benefiting from a well-documented nutritional remedy.
Cranberry concentrate in capsule form, together with cranberry juice, can be extremely helpful. Cranberry makes the urine more acidic and creates an environment which is hard for bacteria to live in. It has the unique ability to interfere with bacteria establishing a foothold on the bladder wall and when taken regularly, especially in capsule form, it can help to break the cycle of repeated bladder infections.
One research study with women who had a history of recurring bladder infections, found that daily treatment with cranberry concentrate capsules (400 mg twice per day) for three months, significantly reduced the recurrence of urinary tract infections. Drinking cranberry juice is also helpful, but remember to drink a natural cranberry juice that is unsweetened or sweetened from natural fruit sources, rather a cranberry juice cocktail sweetened with white sugar.
This health news is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs. Since 2001 Nutrition Breakthroughs has been providing natural health articles and effective natural remedies. Their mission is to provide nutritional supplements that work and get results, and therefore help people to avoid drugs and their side effects.
Since 2009, their natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II has been keeping that promise, by soothing even the worst insomnia and helping everyone from teenagers to seniors, to women with menopause symptoms, to get a good night’s sleep. For more information on Sleep Minerals II, see this web page.
Article source: http://www.nutritionbreakthroughs.com/html/say_good-bye_to_bladder_infect.html
Hello,
Here is a great chart that has the best ways and methods to select the highest quality foods, including meats, dairy, fruits and vegetables. These are proven ways to increase your health and and the health of those you care about.
Here’s to your good health!
Nutrition Breakthroughs
Maker of Natural Remedies for Sleep and Joint Health
Article source: http://www.nutritionbreakthroughs.com/blog/2015/07/21/8-ways-to-select-the-highest-quality-food/
MSM is a natural mineral made of sulfur that has been shown in studies to relieve arthritis, headaches, back pain, and also contribute to stronger hair and nails. MSM is known as “Factor N”, for returning cells to normal.
A recent study from the Genesis Center for Integrative Medicine in Graham, Washington has found another one to add to MSM benefits — it’s effectiveness as a seasonal allergies remedy.
MSM sulfur is a white, odorless, water-soluble element found in nature and in foods such as milk, fruits, vegetables, seafood and meat. It is especially high in eggs, onions, garlic, asparagus and broccoli. When food is heated, washed, frozen or processed, it becomes depleted of its natural MSM stores — making supplementation beneficial.
Seasonal allergies affect more than 23 million Americans each year. Symptoms can include sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, congestion, coughing, itchy throat and fatigue. Side effects of antihistamines include drowsiness and decongestants may result in insomnia or irritability. The goal of the MSM study was to evaluate whether a natural mineral can reduce allergy symptoms and to determine if it has any possible side effects.
The study was published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. Fifty-five patients with seasonal allergies were given MSM at 2,600 milligrams per day. The MSM use resulted in significantly reducing upper and total respiratory symptoms within 7 days. Lower respiratory symptoms were substantially improved by the third week. Few side effects were associated with the use of MSM and no patients dropped out of the study from any adverse reactions. In addition, by day 14 the energy levels of participants had increased considerably.
The researchers concluded that MSM supplementation of 2,600 mg/day for 30 days is an effective and “side-effect free” remedy in the reduction of seasonal allergy symptoms. An unforeseen and valuable benefit of MSM was a significant increase in energy. For this reason, it’s best to take MSM early in the day rather than in the afternoon or evening too close to bedtime.
This health news is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs. Since 2001 Nutrition Breakthroughs has provided natural health articles and effective natural remedies. Their mission is to provide nutritional supplements that get results and help people to avoid drugs and their side effects.
Nutrition Breakthroughs is the provider of Joints and More, containing pure organic MSM for allergy and asthma relief, arthritis and headache relief, and stronger hair and nails. For more information on Joints and More, visit http://www.nutritionbreakthroughs.com/html/joints_and_more_natural_relief.html
Article source: http://www.nutritionbreakthroughs.com/blog/2015/04/13/study-shows-msm-effective-for-allergy-symptoms/
Evening primrose oil comes from the seeds of a yellow wildflower that grows throughout the United States. It contains a special kind of fatty acid that the body converts to a beneficial hormone-like substance. Capsules containing evening primrose oil are frequently used as natural remedies by women to help relieve menopause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, as well as premenstrual syndrome.
In one study from the Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, researchers tested the effect of evening primrose oil on 56 menopausal women aged 45 to 59 with menopausal hot flashes. The women were given two capsules per day of evening primrose oil (500 mg per capsule) for a continuous 6 weeks. The results showed there was a 42% improvement in the severity of hot flashes, as well as beneficial improvements in their life activities and quality of life.
Regarding PMS symptoms such as headache, food cravings and joint pain, insomnia, breast pain and fatigue, a research study evaluated the effectiveness of evening primrose oil in sixty-eight women with PMS. They received one to two grams per day (1,000 mg. to 2,000 mg.). The timing of the capsules was arranged so the women received them three days before their usual PMS symptoms began, up until the beginning of menstruation.
The women completed questionnaires which showed that 61% found complete relief of their symptoms and 23% had partial relief, with these results obtained after three months of supplementation. Relief of breast pain was the symptom most benefited. (Reference: Evening primrose oil in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome. Clinical Uses of Essential Fatty Acids. Montreal: Eden Press).
Mineral supplements such as magnesium and calcium have also been found to be natural remedies for hot flashes and night sweats. One recent example is a study from the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System. Women with at least 14 hot flashes a week, received 400 milligrams of magnesium oxide for 4 weeks, increasing to 800 milligrams per day if needed. At the end of the study, the magnesium supplements had reduced their frequency of hot flashes from 52 to 28 per week — a 41% reduction. Fatigue, sweating, and distress were also significantly reduced.
This news is brought to you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, provider of natural health articles and effective natural remedies since 2001. Nutrition Breakthroughs makes the effective 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, allergies, stronger hair and nails, and more energy.
Article source: http://www.nutritionbreakthroughs.com/blog/2015/04/14/menopause-hot-flashes-improved-by-evening-primrose-oil/
News on Natural Remedies, Good Sleep and Good Health 