THB: Help For Your Aching Back By Melanie Segala - Executive Editor

You're Not Alone

At any given time, more than 31 million people in the US suffer from backaches. In fact, 80% of all Americans suffer from back pain at some point in their lives.

I can sympathize. I've had friends with back problems that were so bad that they were laid up for days. Some had to sleep on the floor every night. Others had to sit in chairs with special back supports or they couldn't make it through the day. A former boss of mine couldn't sit at all. He came to work and knelt all day on something that looked like a pew you'd see in church.

And then there are the traditional treatments for back pain: surgery and painkillers. Surgery may or may not work, and it can be very risky. One small mistake on the table could leave you in even more pain or a wheelchair for life.

Painkillers only mask the problem. If they're prescription narcotics, they can cause brain fog, irritability and chemical dependence. How many famous people do we see in detox that got there from abusing painkillers?

So what's a person with chronic back pain supposed to do?

Don't Ask for Trouble

First and foremost, try some common sense measures that will keep you from overstressing your back and causing further pain. Here's some great advice for pain-free living from our friends at the Health Sciences Institute in Baltimore.

• Check your mattress. Make sure your mattress and box spring is not worn out. Sagging mattresses with no support can wreak havoc with a bad back.

• Drive in comfort. Lean slightly forward when you're driving. And keep your knees even with your hips — higher than your hips is even better.

• Lean forward. When standing, especially for long periods of time, lean forward slightly to shift some of your weight away from your back. Also try shifting your weight from one food to the other.

• Lift properly. Never bend over to lift anything, even if it's light in weight. To protect your back, lift from a squatting position with knees bent and let your legs do the work.

• Move around. Whether it's sitting, standing or lying down, try not to stay in the same position for too long.

• Get enough rest. Don't overtax your back by overworking or overplaying. Most of us need 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night.

• Sleep in an “S.” To relieve pressure on your back when you sleep, put a neck roll behind your head —or plump up a pillow under your neck for a similar effect. Place another pillow under your knees for additional support.

• Warm up first. Do gentle stretches for at least 5 minutes before you exercise —and this includes activities like mowing the lawn or cleaning the house.

• Watch your posture. A bad posture doesn't just look bad, it's bad for your back too. And don't forget sitting. Sit up tall and straight —in a straight back chair if possible. Keep both feet on the floor with your knees level or slightly higher than your hips. Avoid sitting on soft couches or chairs, especially for long periods of time.

• Wear sensible shoes. Properly fitting, sturdy shoes provide greater support for your back. Women who wear high heels are especially prone to lower back pain. Wear low-heeled shoes as often as possible.

Try these simple lifestyle techniques. They can mean the difference between living pain-free or living with constant back pain.

Removing Gallstones Naturally by Dr Lai Chiu-Nan

Gallstones may not be everyone’s concern. But they should be because we all have them. Moreover, gallstones may lead to cancer.

“Cancer is never the first illness,” Chiu Nan points out. “Usually, there are a lot of other problems leading to cancer. In my research in China, I came across some materials which say that people with cancer usually have stones.

“We all have gallstones. It’s a matter of big or small, many or few. One of the symptoms of gallstones is a feeling of bloatedness after a heavy meal. You feel like you can’t digest the food. If it gets more serious, you feel pain in the liver area.”

So if you think you have gallstones, Chiu Nan offers the following method to remove them naturally. The treatment is also good for those with a weak liver, because the liver and gallbladder are closely linked.

Regimen:

* For the first five days, take four glasses of apple juice every day. Or eat four or five apples, whichever you prefer.Apple juice softens the gallstones. During the five days, eat normally.

* On the sixth day, take no dinner. At 6 PM, take a teaspoon of Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate) with a glass of warm water.

* At 8 PM, repeat the same. Magnesium sulphate opens the gallbladder ducts.

* At 10 PM, take half cup olive oil (or sesame oil) with half cup fresh lemon juice. Mix it well and drink it. The oil lubricates the stones to ease their passage.

* The next morning, you will find green stones in your stools.
“Usually they float,” Chiu Nan notes. “You might want to count them. I have had people who passes 40, 50 or up to 100 stones. Very many.”

“Even if you don’t have any symptoms of gallstones, you still might have some. It’s always good to give your gall bladder a clean-up now and then. You’ll find that your digestion is much better afterwards.

However, people who have tried the method did report feeling better- even if it is toxins removal at the colon. But as I’ve recently browse through the book “Suckers” by Rose Shapiro- and she had said that the Gallbladder cleanse is quack- and people are passing up ’soap stones’ instead of gallbladder stones. She had supported with some studies and experiments that were conducted by verified sources. I feel readers who read should at least make an informed decision.

Preventing colds & flu: natural remedies that boost your immunity

Natural remedies that boost your immunity.
Sniffles & sneezes may figure prominently in winter time humor, but they are hardly joking matters for the millions of Americans who experience an average of 2 to 4 colds each year. We spend billions of dollars annually on over-the-counter drugs with promises of quick relief from cold symptoms. Most experts agree, however, these remedies not only do not help but often make matters worse. As witty sufferers are fond of pointing out: A cold untreated lasts 7 miserable days, treated it goes away promptly in just one week. Colds tend to disappear without a trace, after running their course from stuffy head to drippy nose.

Flu, in contrast, is nothing to sneeze or laugh at. Unlike colds, flu comes on rapidly, with the telltale arrival of symptoms such as muscular aches & pains, chills & fevers, sore throats & dry coughs, headache, exhaustion & depression. More severe than colds, flu can cause death in the elderly & chronically ill, but typically, sufferers feel wiped out for a few days & tired for a few weeks.

Though not the same illness, both colds & flu are caused by viruses. And for those who think a "cure for the common cold" or a fail-safe flu shot is on the scientific horizon, some bad news: There are hundreds of distinct cold & flu viruses out there. Unfortunately, these "bugs" differ from one another sufficiently - and mutate so quickly - that no medical "magic bullets" are likely.

Because science is unlikely to keep you free of colds & flu, your best defense is to boost your immune system so it is strong enough to keep bugs at bay. With a prevention strategy that combines diet, supplements & lifestyle management, you may make it through the winter with nary a crumpled tissue. And if you're unlucky enough to get sick despite your hard work, we've rounded up some natural therapies to see you through.

ANTIMICROBIAL EATS
Why some people get sick with colds & flu repeatedly & others rarely, is a question scientists are investigating. One of the possible answers is that what you eat (or don't eat) may help you stave off colds & flu or get over them more quickly.

In the controversial arena of cold & flu prevention, one food's value is not in dispute - garlic. Garlic has been shown to kill several types of bacteria & viruses. It also boosts immunity. Indeed, garlic possesses such potent antimicrobial properties that John Long, Ph.D., professor of microbiology at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah concludes if you eat enough soon enough you might not get the cold or flu you feel coming on.

If you've maxed out on garlic pasta & broccoli with garlic sauce, Michael Janson, M.D., president of the American Preventive Medical Association in Great Falls, Va. and author of the book, The Vitornin Revolution in Health Care (Arcadia Press, 1996) says the most potent garlic preparations on the market are the "deodorized forms" (not "odorless"), which contain the equivalent of many cloves of garlic in each pill. Deodorized garlic powder doesn't leave you with telltale "garlic breath" but contains the active allelic sulfide compounds. It is available in 350 to 500 milligram (mg.) capsules that Janson recommends twice per day.

While garlic can help prevent a bout of cold or flu, once you're smitten, a speedy recovery may depend not only on what you're eating but on how much. Remember the old saying, "feed a cold & starve a fever," attributed to the father of Western medicine, Hippocrates? Well, it turns out what he really advised was: "If you feed a cold, you will have to starve a fever," which implies that eating regular fare will not help that cold or flu & may even make matters worse. Hippocrates reasoning: A body busy with digestion might have less energy for fighting off germs. Many alternative physicians subscribe to this reasoning & recommend at the first sign of a cold or flu, you go on a modified fast, limiting the diet to diluted fruit or vegetable juices, potassium broths, garlic or miso soup plus lots of herb tea & water.

Conventional doctors & the editors of the Tufts University Diet & Nutrition Letter disagree with practitioners of alternative medicine on this matter. They say, whether you have a cold or flu, and particularly when you have a fever, starving an illness is a bad idea because the body needs adequate calories to fight back against the proliferating invader germs. Martin Milner, N.D., a naturopath on the faculty of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine faculty in Portland, Ore., replies to this theory: "I've watched it both ways, and I would definitely recommend eating lightly. At the very minimum, stay away from protein & fat-rich entrees, sweets & dairy products," which Milner believes add to a cold's congestion.

"C" IS FOR "COLD"
By far the most popular cold & flu preventive is the ubiquitous vitamin C. The untiring efforts of the late Linus Pauling, Ph.D., the 2-time Nobel laureate whose persistent promotion of the benefits of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) supplements led to what is now a voluminous research literature. Pauling demonstrated vitamin C's wide range of useful effects: as a potent antioxidant protecting against free radical damage; in reducing wrinkling & sagging of skin and in decreasing chances of getting cataracts as we age; by boosting interferon (a natural antiviral substance) & antibody levels in the body & maintaining a strong immune system.

A Cancer Killer in the Kitchen - Ginger

The powerful healing effects of ginger have been well documented. It's a proven remedy for upset stomach. Reams of studies show that it inhibits inflammation. And there is substantial evidence that it fights cancer too.

For instance, a recent University of Michigan study showed that when ginger was added to ovarian cancer cells in the laboratory, it caused the cancer cells to self-destruct (a process known as "apoptosis"). In a separate study at the University of Minnesota , researchers injected colon cancer cells into mice that were bred to have no immune system.

Half of these mice were routinely fed gingerol, the main active component in ginger. The researchers found that the mice that were fed gingerol lived longer, their tumors were smaller, and the cancer did not spread as widely as in the control group.

With all these health benefits, you should be using ginger as often as you can. The best way I've found to get a healthy serving of ginger is to juice it. (The brand of juicer I use is an Omega.) Two or three days a week, I juice an apple or two, some carrots, spinach, broccoli,cabbage, and a big piece of ginger root.


The ginger gives the drink a great flavor and a powerful anti-cancer kick.
I highly recommend that you try it.

Bananas - A thought for a Lifetime

Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!!
This is interesting. After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffer from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS
Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power
200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation
High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work?
Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two
hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers
The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control
Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking & Tobacco Use
Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress
Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes
According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts
Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape! So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A banana a day keeps the doctor away!'

PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time! I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe...polish with dry cloth. Amazing fruit !

Bananas - A thought for a Lifetime

Natural Therapy For Heart Vein Opening

Dear Friends,

I would like to share with you this health message received from one of my close friends.

For Heart Vein opening

1) Lemon juice 01 cup
2) Ginger juice 01 cup
3) Garlic juice 01 cup
4) Apple vinegar 01 cup

Mix all above and boil in light flame approximately half an hour, when it becomes 3 cups, take it out and keep it for cooling. After cooling, mix 3 cups of natural honey and keep it in bottle.

Every morning before breakfast use one Table spoon regularly. Your blockage of Vein's will open (No need any Angiography or By pass).

At this point, I wanted to share my living style, which has caused this block in my heart arteries (Please refer to the image of your left.). Please see the below points of my life style, if any of these points are part of your life style then you are at risk, please change yourselves.

1. I was not doing any physical exercise for more than 10 years, not even walking 30 minutes a day for years.

2. My food timings are 11:00 AM Breakfast or no Breakfast, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM Lunch and Dinner at 11:00 PM to 12:00 AM.

3. Sleeping in very odd timings, going to bed between 12:00 AM and 3:00 AM. Waking up at between 9:00 AM and 10:30AM ........ Some times spending sleepless nights.

4. I used to eat heavily because of long gaps between lunch and dinner and I used to make sure that Non-Veg is available most of the time, there were times when I did survey on city hotels to find delicious Non-Veg dishes. I was never interested in vegetable and healthier food.

5. Above all I was a chain smoker from years.

6. My father passed away due to heart problems, and the doctors say the heart problems are usually genetic.

Once they identified the major block they have done immediately a procedure called angioplasty along with 2 Stints, mean they will insert a foreign body into the heart arteries and open the blocked area of arteries. Please see the image on your right after the procedure.

I learnt from the doctors that 60% people will die before reaching the hospital, 20% people will die in the process of recovering from heart attack and only 20% will survive .. In my case, I was very lucky to be part of the last 20%.

Doctors instructions:

1. Need to have physical exercise for minimum of 45 minutes daily.

2. Eat your food at perfect timings, like how you eat during your school days. Eat in small quantities more time and have lots of vegetables and boiled food, try to avoid fried items and oily food. Fish is better than other non-vegetarian food.

3. Sleep for 8 hours a day, this count should complete before sunrise.

4. Quit smoking.

5. Genetic problems, we cannot avoid but we can avoid it by having regular checkups.

6. Find a way to release from the stress (Yoga, Meditation etc).

So I urge all of you, please avoid getting into this situation, it is in your hands to turn the situation up side down, by just planning/changing your life style, by following simple points above. If you find it's useful you can share this message with your friends and loved ones....

Calcium Can Be Toxic

Yes the same calcium that every time you turn around someone is saying is good for you. Calcium becomes plaque that blocks arteries and causes high blood pressure, shortness of breath, chest, arm or leg pain along with fatigue are critical symptoms indicating artery blockage !

Remove the water and you are mostly calcium!

Calcium not only makes up your bones, it is also in your nerves, muscles and almost every cell in in your body. You get calcium from everything you eat and drink, just like you, the plants and animals you consume provide you with calcium.

Do you know that Calcium is a metal and that minerals is another term for metals !

The simple act of taking Vitamins with Minerals can promote disease. Metals when digested and added to the blood must be bound to an enzyme. Enzymes are like the horse pulling a cart (the metal) to where it belongs and can be used by the body. When metals enter the blood and do not bind with the proper enzyme, disease can and usually does occur.

When calcium is not bound to an enzyme it may be randomly stored anywhere in the body and that leads to diseases of the; heart and arteries, may cause kidney stones, gallstones, bone spurs, prostate and breast nodules, arthritis, osteoporosis, vision loss, memory loss, ringing of the ears, Pancreatitis leading to diabetes and about 80% of all diseases we get as human beings.

Here is a surprise. All calcium is not the same, nor is it digestible or recognizable by the body, therefore, the body is often unable to process or use it. There are many forms of calcium and dozens of chemical compounds of calcium. Some good, most are very bad.

You Can Lose Your Health From Too Much Calcium

Everything you eat and almost everything you drink is loaded with calcium. No matter what you have been told in the past, humans do not need to take calcium supplements, ever. More surprising, after the age of three you should have stopped eating dairy products. The human body can only tolerate so much calcium and butter fat and as evidenced by autopsies in Viet Nam on American soldiers in there early 20s, most showed early stages of Cardiovascular disease.

No two ways about it, taking the wrong calcium,
like Coral Calcium, causes major health problems!

1. Calcium Carbonate (Bad) - causes scale and plaque. Coral Calcium is a crushed rock form of calcium like limestone, clam shells and marble, they are like the scale in your plumbing, which is known as calcium carbonate. This form of calcium is not soluble in water and is not bio-available. If Calcium builds up in the arteries it becomes plaque and restricts blood flow causing major health issues.

2. Calcium Bicarbonate ( Good and water soluble) - found in meats, fruits and vegetables this calcium builds strong bones when it is properly bound to enzymes can be utilized by the body.

This is one example of excess calcium use. My wife went in for a check up, her Doctor said she had osteoporosis and was losing bone mass, he prescribed calcium carbonate pills. A few days after taking the calcium she started to get a bone spur on her foot. She called her doctor and he said "she will need to see a foot specialist". I told her to stop taking the calcium pills. She stopped and the next day her foot was better, three days later the spur was completely gone. Should she have taken a different calcium like calcium citrate? No, she did not need more calcium she had to much calcium that her body could not use. She was taking the bad Calcium (Carbonate)

Mammograms

Dear Ladies,

Is it any wonder that nowadays more and more women globally are having Breast Cancer. The coincidence is, more and more organisations, doctors and government hospitals are pushing women to go for mammograms.

PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE CONSEQUENCES.

Be Aware!

Mammograms - ladies, please note it for health reasons and send them to other ladies that you know and gentlemen, please disseminate this message to all the ladies in your lives.

Well for starters mammograms expose your body to radiation that can be 1,000 times
greater than that from a chest x-ray,which poses risks of cancer. Mammography also compresses your breasts tightly, and often painfully, which could lead to a lethal spread of cancerous cells, should they exist.

"The premenopausal breast is highly sensitive to radiation, each 1 radiation exposure increasing breast cancer risk by about 1 percent, with a cumulative 10 percent increased risk for each breast over a decade's screening," points out Dr. Samuel Epstein, one of the top cancer experts..

Dr. Epstein, M.D., professor emeritus of Environmental and Occupational Medicine at the University of Illinois School of Public Health, and Chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition, has been speaking out about the risks of mammography since at least 1992.

As for how these misguided mammography guidelines came about, Epstein says: "They were conscious, chosen, politically expedient acts by a small group of people for the sake of their own power,prestige and financial gain, resulting in suffering and death for millions of women.

They fit the classification of "crimes against humanity". Not surprisingly, as often happens when anyone dares speak out against those in power, both the American Cancer Society and NCI called Dr. Epstein's findings "unethical and invalid."

But this didn't stop others from speaking out as well. In July 1995, The Lancet again wrote about mammograms, saying "The benefit is marginal, the harm caused is substantial, and the costs incurred are enormous ..."

Dr. Charles B. Simone, a former clinical associate in immunology and pharmacology at the National Cancer Institute, said, "Mammograms increase the risk for developing breast cancer and raise the risk of spreading or metastasizing an existing growth". The high sensitivity of the breast, especially inyoung women,to radiation-induced cancer was known by 1970.

Nevertheless, the establishment then screened some 300,000 women with Xray dosages so high as to increase breast cancer risk by up to 20 percent in women aged 40 to 50 who were mammogramed annually," wrote Dr. Epstein.

Safe Screening Methods do Exist: The Benefits of Thermography

But you're not likely to hear about them from your general practitioner. " ... The establishment ignores safe and effective alternatives to mammography, particularly trans illumination with infrared scanning,"

Dr. Epstein points out. Most physicians continueto recommend mammograms for fear of being sued by a woman who develops breast cancer after which he did not advise her to get one. But I encourage you to think for yourself and consider safer, more effective alternatives to mammograms.

The option for breast screening that I most highly recommend is called thermography.

Thermographic breast screening is brilliantly simple. It measures the radiation of infrared heat from your body and translates this information into anatomical images. Your normal blood circulation is under the control of your autonomic nervous system, which governs your body functions.

Thermography uses no mechanical pressure or ionizing radiation, and can detect signs of breast cancer years earlier than either mammography or a physical exam.

Mammography cannot detect a tumor until after it has been growing for years and reaches a certain size.

Thermography is able to detect the possibility of breast cancer much earlier, because it can image the early stages of angiogenesis (the formation of a direct supply of blood to cancer cells, which is a necessary step before they can grow into tumors of size).

New Tool Helps Predict Alzheimer’s Risks - Reuters

CHICAGO—U.S. researchers have developed a checklist that can accurately predict whether a person over 65 is at high risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease within six years.

The checklist of risk factors like slowness of mind or movement predicted about half the cases of dementia that developed in a group of elderly people over a six-year period, the researchers reported in the journal Neurology on May 13.

An estimated 26 million people globally have Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. The disease starts out with mild memory loss and confusion but escalates into complete memory loss and an inability to care for oneself.

Researcher Deborah Barnes of the University of California, San Francisco, said having a tool that can predict the risk of developing Alzheimer’s could help doctors keep an eye on patients and help companies develop drugs to treat the early stages of the mind-robbing disease, which has no cure and few effective treatments.

“This new risk index could be very important both for research and for people at risk of developing dementia and their families,” Barnes said in a statement.

The tool consists of a 15-point scale of several well-known risk factors for Alzheimer’s—advanced age, low scores on tests of thinking skills, and having the ApoE4 gene, which raises the genetic risks of developing it.

It also includes some lesser-known risk factors, such as being underweight, having a history of heart bypass surgery, not drinking alcohol, or being slow to do physical tasks like buttoning a shirt.

People with a score of 8 or higher are considered at high risk of developing dementia within the next six years.

To develop the index, the team studied 3,375 people with an average age of 76 and no evidence of dementia. Over six years, 480 of the people developed dementia.

The researchers then looked to see which factors best predicted who would develop dementia.

When they evaluated the same group using the checklist, they found 56 percent of those with high scores had developed dementia within six years. That compared to 23 percent with moderate scores and just four percent with low scores.

Overall, the index correctly classified 88 percent of the participants.

Barnes said the risk index would need to be confirmed by other studies. Her team is also looking to see if a simpler version could be as accurate.

Last Updated
May 29, 2009

Benefits of Asparagus

Figure 1 Three types of asparagus on a shop display, with white asparagus at the back and green asparagus in the middle. The plant at the front is Ornithogalum pyrenaicum, is commonly called wild asparagus.

This is a very good article on Asparagus..known to cure Cancer..
Kindly go through the same.

Several years ago, I had a man seeking asparagus for a friend who had cancer. He gave me a photocopied copy of an article,entitled, `Asparagus for cancer ' printed in Cancer News Journal, December 1979.

I will share it here, just as it was shared with me: ' I am a biochemist,and have specialized in the relation of diet to health for over 5 years.

Several years ago, I learned of the discovery of Richard R.Vensal, D.D.S. that asparagus might cure cancer. Since then, I have worked with him on his project. We have accumulated a number of favourable case histories.

Here are a few examples:-

Case No. 1,
A man with an almost hopeless case of Hodgkin ' s disease (cancer of the lymph glands) who was completely incapacitated. Within 1 year of starting the asparagus therapy, his doctors were unable to detect any signs of cancer, and he was back on a schedule of strenuous exercise.

Case No. 2,
A successful businessman 68 years old who suffered from cancer of the bladder for 16 years. After years of medical treatments, including radiation without improvement, he went on asparagus. Within 3 months, examinations revealed that his bladder tumor had disappeared and that his kidneys were normal.

Case No. 3,
A man who had lung cancer. On March 5th 1971, he was put on the operating table where they found lung cancer so widely spread that it was inoperable. The surgeon sewed him up and declared his case hopeless. On April 5th he heard about the asparagus therapy and immediately started taking it. By August, x-ray pictures revealed that all signs of the cancer had disappeared. He is back at his regular business routine. *

Case No. 4,
A woman who was troubled for a number of years with skin cancer. She finally developed different skin cancers which were diagnosed by asking specialist as advanced. Within 3 months after starting on asparagus, her skin specialist said that her skin looked fine and no more skin lesions. This woman reported that the asparagus therapy also cured her kidney disease, which started in 1949. She had over 10 operations for kidney stones, and was receiving government disability payments for an inoperable, terminal, kidney condition. She attributes the cure of this kidney trouble entirely to the asparagus.

I was not surprised at this result, as `The elements of Material Medica ' , edited in 1854 by a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania , stated that asparagus was used as a popular remedy for kidney stones. He even referred to experiments, in 1739, on the power of asparagus in dissolving stones.

We would have other case histories but the medical establishment has interfered with our obtaining some of the records.. I am therefore appealing to readers to spread this good 20news and help us to gather a large number of case histories that will overwhelm the medical skeptics about this unbelievably simple and natural remedy. For the treatment, asparagus should be cooked before using, and therefore canned asparagus is just as good as fresh.

I have corresponded with the two leading canners of asparagus, Giant Giant and Stokely, and I am satisfied that these brands contain no pesticides or preservatives.

* * PROCEDURE:
1) Place the cooked asparagus in a blender and liquefy t make a puree, and store in the refrigerator.

2) Give the patient 4 full tablespoons twice daily, morning and evening.

Patients usually show some improvement in from 2-4 weeks. It can be diluted with water and used as a cold or hot drink. This suggested dosage is based on present experience, but certainly larger amounts can do no harm and may be needed in some cases.

As a biochemist I am convinced of the old saying that `what cures can prevent ' . Based on this theory, my wife and I have been using asparagus puree as a beverage with our meals. We take 2 tablespoons diluted in water to suit our taste wit breakfast and with dinner. I take mine hot and my wife prefers hers cold.

For years we have made it a practice to have blood surveys taken as part of our regular checkups. The last blood survey, taken=2 0by a medical doctor who specializes in the nutritional approach to health, showed substantial improvements in all categories over the last one, and we can attribute these improvements to nothing but the asparagus drink...

As a biochemist, I have made an extensive study of all aspects of cancer, and all of the proposed cures. As a result, I am convinced that asparagus fits in better with the latest theorie about cancer. Asparagus contains a good supply of protein called histones, which are believed to be active in controlling cell growth. For that reason, I believe asparagus can be said to contain a substance that I call cell growth normalizer. That accounts for its action on cancer and inacting as a general body tonic. In any event, regardless of theory, asparagus used as we suggest, is a harmless substance.

The FDA cannot prevent you from using it and it may do you much good.. It has been reported by the US National Cancer Institute, that asparagus is the highest tested food containing glutathione, which is considered one of the body ' s most potent anticarcinogens and antioxidants.

Swine Flu Risk Overblown, Say Doctors

Swine flu is thought to come from mistreated pigs that live in metal crates on factory farms. Their immune systems are therefore compromised. The present flu is a new type combining human flu virus, avian flu, and two types of swine virus. (See Swine Flu Outbreak)

The symptoms for humans are mainly respiratory, but there can be vomiting and diarrhea.

People are contagious one day before they know they have it and for about one week after getting it. Jay Gordon, M.D., FAAP, wrote in Swine Flu and Tamiflu: “Influenza viruses, especially new ones, trigger more news stories and can be made to seem much more frightening and dangerous than they really are. Government agencies and media make it sound like you’ve got a ‘fifty-fifty’ chance of contracting this new virus. They then make it sound like a lot of people who get this influenza end up in the hospital and may die.

"Statistically, nothing could be further from the truth: The chance that the new virus is really dangerous is small. The chance that you’ll get it is much smaller, and the possibility that you or a family member will be harmed by the virus is so slim that the news should be on page twenty, not page one.”

Dr. Jospeh Mercola also questions the risks in his article Critical Alert: The Swine Flu Pandemic—Fact or Fiction?

Currently there is no vaccine for it. The best advice is to go easy on alcohol and sugary foods, get plenty of rest, plenty of vitamin C and bioflavonoids, and wash your hands.

Tamiflu supplies are running low. Drug companies must hurry to find a vaccine before the epidemic is over.


By Louise McCoy and William Franklin McCoy, M.D.


Last Updated
Apr 30, 2009

blog.thelantern.com; theepochtimes.com

Your Health is Your Number One Asset.

Dear Friends,

I recently came across a fitness eBook that I am recommending to you today. Its name is Fit, Healthy Self and was written by an engineer and a certified personal trainer.

They have put together this package to make it easier for those of you who don’t have the time for a full time training program get and stay healthy.

One of the really nice features about this eBook are the videos these gals put together for you. They have ten videos that show you how to exercise all the major areas of you body. Each exercise can be performed at different levels according to your present strength or fitness level, so there is something for every one.

No extra equipment is required but if you have small weights or bands you could add those if you like. Along with these videos are two training routines, an easy one and a challenging one. You can use them as is and they are easily modifiable too.
These ladies want your life to be the best it can be. They explain about working out in general, goal setting, affirmations to keep you motivated, making a fitness plan and show you an example goal sheet and plan sheet. They have included much more information that you should know to stay and keep healthy.

Why don’t you pick up a copy for yourself today? It costs less than a one month fitness membership and less than a single personal trainer session. You could use it while on a business trip or if you have to cancel with your trainer. It’s a great resource to have and use and they give free updates for life.

http://mikirina62.lhawkins.hop.clickbank.net/

Shouldn't you start our fitness plans now...while you are still healthy?

To your good health!

Miki Rina

http://mikirina62.lhawkins.hop.clickbank.net/

Morality, Good Health, and Longevity

Is there any relation between morality, good health, and longevity? A famous Zen master from China’s Tang Dynasty, Shi Xiqian (also called “Stone Xiqian” or “Stone Monk”), told people the secrets of good health and longevity in the form of a prescription.

He wrote: “One kind heart, one part compassion, a half measure of tenderness, three-sixteenths portion of truth, a full measure of strong belief, a full measure of loyalty, and five-eighths of filial loyalty, a whole measure of honesty, all accumulated merits and virtues; of amiability and friendliness, an arbitrary amount.”

Good people are kind and considerate of others. They rarely fight for their own fame and fortune. They respect the old and care for the young. The people around them will naturally respect them, so their moods are quiet; they have good interpersonal relationships and feel happy.

In this atmosphere of life, the neuroendocrine system is calm and the physiological function is orderly. The body is operating soundly, immunity is enhanced, and the body is naturally healthy.

Immoral persons live out of selfishness. They are narrow-hearted, they always think for their own sake, their jealousy is strong, and they compete maliciously to gain a little benefit. They live too alert, harboring hostility and tension.

Such intangible psychological pressure is a burden on both the mind and the body, resulting in organ dysfunction, immune dysfunction, and other diseases. How can such a person live longer?

Stone Monk gives a metaphorical description of how to make the right pills and take the right medicine. He wrote: “All herbs should be stir-fried in a kindhearted and tolerant pan.

“Be careful to prevent charring and drying out during preparation. Hot temper should be removed. The medication is ground in an ‘equality’ pan until it is a powder, with ‘thinking twice.’

“Make a pill using Boluomi (Artocarpus heterophyllus) as big as the fruit of the Bodhi. Take the pill three times a day at any time. It should be taken with ‘peaceful-mind’ soup. If you can really follow this recipe, you will not have illness.”

He says: “Do not do bad deeds while feigning innocence on the surface, benefit oneself while harming others, hurt others with hidden slights, have venom inside and wily intentions behind your smile, or create troubles without reason. You must abstain from all of these.

“If all 10 ‘herbs’ mentioned above are used, one can achieve longevity and happiness,” he says. “If only four or five are used, one can still relinquish some karma and prolong his lifespan and avoid some bad things. If none are used, nothing can be done.”

Even if Bianque or Luyi (famous Chinese medical doctors) were alive, they could not save such a person because he is already untreatable. No matter what he does—worshipping heaven, earth, or gods—it will all be in vain.

This recipe is good for all ages, does not cost any money, and does not need to be cooked. Why doesn’t everyone take it?

Last Updated
Feb 12, 2009

By China Research Group
Epoch Times Staff Jan 29, 2009

Healing and Cleansing with Barley

High in fibre, barley is also a kidney cleanser. Better yet, regular intake of it helps prevent heart disease. BARLEY water was always a regular drink when we were still living at home. Whenever we had to go for a medical exam that included a urine test, my mum would make us drink barley water a day before it to make sure we got a positive result!

Later found out from an Australian naturopath that barley is known to be a kidney cleanser,and he happily downed glasses of it at a meal we had in a coffee-shop .

Barley is good for your intestinal health too. Try to eat the barley grains you find in your drink or sweet broth with fu chook (beancurd skin) and ginkgo nuts.

It's high in fibre which feeds the friendly bacteria in the colon and helps speed up the transit of fecal matter in it. In this way it helps prevent Haemorrhoids and Colon Cancer.

The propionic acid and beta glucan from barley's insoluble fibre also help lower cholesterol and prevent the formation of gallstones.

Eating barley regularly is a preventive step against heart disease as, besides the fibre content, it is also high in niacin, a B vitamin good for lowering cholesterol.

Diabetics should eat more barley as the fibre will prevent blood sugar levels from rising too high. It also provides relief from constipation or diarrhoea for those suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Barley is rich in selenium which prevents cancer and relieves symptoms of asthma and arthritis. It is a good source of manganese, copper and phosphorous.

Malt sugar comes from sprouted barley which, when fermented, is an ingredient in beer and other alcoholic beverages.

Barley, whose Latin name is hordeum vulgare, has been cultivated for more than 10,000 years.

Since ancient times, barley has been used for healing purposes and has been known to the Chinese, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Athletes in Greece and Rome in those days were known to eat barley bread to give them strength.

Besides the usual things we do with barley, I enjoy having it in a western soup. The larger pearl barley is used and I love the sticky bite of it.
Here's a recipe for barley soup:-

Barley soup with roasted garlic

1 cup pearl barley
5 cloves whole garlic, roasted
2 litres chicken stock, steeped from 1 chicken breast simmered in three litres water
2 tbsps vegetable oil
2 large onions, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
150g turkey ham, cut up
1 tsp ground white pepper
1 tsps sea salt or to taste
1 tbsp chopped parsley

Method
1. Wash barley and soak it in a bowl of water for three hours. Drain.

2. Heat oil in pan and fry onions. Add carrots and celery, then the barley and fry for three minutes.

3. Add chicken stock, pepper and roasted garlic and simmer over low heat for at least an hour, or until barley is soft.

4. Add salt to taste and serve the soup garnished Barley soup with roasted garlic

1 cup pearl barley
5 cloves whole garlic, roasted
2 litres chicken stock, steeped from 1 chicken breast simmered in three litres water
2 tbsps vegetable oil
2 large onions, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
150g turkey ham, cut up
1 tsp ground white pepper
1 tsps sea salt or to taste
1 tbsp chopped parsley

Method
1. Wash barley and soak it in a bowl of water for three hours. Drain.

2. Heat oil in pan and fry onions. Add carrots and celery, then the barley and fry for three minutes.

3. Add chicken stock, pepper and roasted garlic and simmer over low heat for at least an hour, or until barley is soft.

4. Add salt to taste and serve twith chopped parsley.

How to Prevent a Sore Throat from Progressing to a Cold

By Dr. Ben Kim on March 09, 2008
Natural Health Solutions

Before I share a great little tip on how to stop a sore throat from progressing into a week-long cold, please know that periodically experiencing a cold or the flu can actually be helpful to your health. If you have no idea why this is, please view the following popular article that I wrote on this topic:-

What Most Doctors Won't Tell You About Colds and Flus

You just won't get this information on why colds and flus can help you stay healthy over the long run from medical textbooks and mainstream media - please consider sharing it with family and friends.

Although experiencing a cold or the flu once in a while can help rid your body of your weakest cells, I'm willing to bet that there are times when you would really prefer to delay such a period of cleansing and malaise.

Here's how you can stand a good chance of preventing a cold from developing:-

As soon as you experience that sore, tickly feeling in your throat that precedes a full-blown cold, gargle with warm salt water.

And when I say gargle, I mean really gargle; take in a mouthful of warm salt water, look up at the ceiling, and gargle aggressively. You may want to tap at your throat (the Adam's apple region) with your fingers while you gargle to encourage the warm salt water to trickle deeply into your throat.

Gargle like this several times with a glass of warm salt water, and repeat as often as possible throughout the day.

Warm salt water can remove viruses from the tonsils and adenoids that line the back of your throat region. Viruses that cause colds and flus typically get caught by your tonsils and adenoids before they spread through your body. Your tonsils and adenoids are important parts of your immune system because they are located near the entrance of your breathing passages, and they serve as a first line of defense against undesirable airborne microorganisms and substances.

This, by the way, is why it is best not to remove tonsils and adenoids from your throat region. Chronic swelling of tonsils and adenoids is best addressed by reducing sugar intake, adopting a minimally processed diet that is rich in fresh plant foods, and supporting immune system health by getting plenty of rest, exercise, and exposure to sunlight and fresh air.

Cold salt water may also help to remove viruses from your tonsils and adenoids, but warm salt water tends to be more effective. Warm water may help to melt the fatty coating that protects viruses that cause the cold and flu.

What if you gargle for all you're worth but still end up developing a full-blown cold?

Get lots of rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take comfort in knowing that countless viruses are at work destroying your weakest cells. And don't forget to blow your nose as often as it runs; help your body get rid of what it wants to get rid of.

Vitamins That Lower Cholesterol

1. The Differences Between Vitamins and Drugs

When considering all of the options for lowering serum cholesterol, you need to look at the benefits as well as the drawbacks of taking them--most importantly, do they work? Many supplement claims are simply too good to be true and almost every drug has side effects. Some of the most recent supplements touted to lower cholesterol include policosanol, gugulipid, omega-3 fatty acids, garlic cholesterol, flax seed and red yeast rice. Prescribed drugs have better documented rates of success but almost always have side effects such as constipation and abdominal cramps. The most prescribed drugs include HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (the "statin" drugs), bile acid sequestrants, niacin, gemfibrozil, probucol and clofibrate. If you're trying to decide which way to go, vitamins vs. prescribed drugs, discuss all of your options with your physician.

2. Deciding How to Approach High Cholesterol Levels

It's hard to pick up the newspaper without reading about the newest miracle drugs for reducing cholesterol. There are literally hundreds of them. Some of the most recent entries include beta-sitosterol, D-limonene, green tea extract, lecithin, oryzanol, pumpkin oil and vitamin E. Before putting your confidence into these non-prescription alternatives for lowering cholesterol, do your homework and talk to your doctor. If your cholesterol levels are only slightly elevated, there may be no harm in following a conservative approach. However, if your cholesterol has been high for some time, you may need more aggressive treatment.

3. The Recommended Ways of Lowering Cholesterol

If your doctor has told you that you need to takes steps to lower your cholesterol, there are several approaches. The first step (and sometimes the most difficult) is to make lifestyle modifications that include changes in your diet and exercise routine. By adding 20 minutes of aerobic exercise to your daily routine, you'll help reduce LDL levels while increasing your HDL. Another importance approach is to lower the cholesterol and fat in your diet. By reducing the amount of saturated fat in your diet, you'll reduce the LDL in your blood that directly reflects on your cholesterol level. If you're a cigarette smoker, quit. Research has shown that quitting smoking is the single, most important step you can take to improving your lipid profile and eliminating the most preventable cause of premature heart attacks.

4. The Role of Oat Bran and Other Fibers

For people looking for safe alternatives to drug therapy for treating their high cholesterol, there's supporting evidence that oat bran and other fibers can be successful in lowering LDL levels in the blood. Oats have been consumed for hundreds of years as a filling and inexpensive food. It wasn't until the 1970s that oats began gaining the attention of the medical community for their ability to lower cholesterol. Some researchers believe that oats accomplish this by binding to bile acids in the intestines, preventing them from being converted to cholesterol.

5. Managing Your Cholesterol Using Herbs

No discussion of how to manage high cholesterol would be complete without mentioning the role of herbs in reducing LDLs and raising HDLs. While the evidence is still out concerning their efficacy, herbs have been used for thousands of years to treat everything from atherosclerosis to hypertension. Some of the most popular herbs currently being used for treating high cholesterol are licorice root, Hawthorn berry, alfalfa herb, garlic bulb, capsicum fruit, red yeast rice, psyllium, butcher's broom and fenugreek seeds.


Last Updated: April 13, 2008

Allen R. Smith is a health and fitness enthusiast and freelance writer living in Vail, Colorado. He earned his Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology and his Exercise Specialist certification with the American College of Sports Medicine at San Diego State University. He has extensive experience working with individuals at high risk for cardiovascular disease.

5 Things You Need to Know About The Types of Migraine Headaches

1. Diagnose Your Aching Head

Migraines belong to a group called vascular headaches, probably caused by problems with blood vessels in the brain. Several types of migraines exist, and migraine headaches are as individual as the people who get them. Some people have one a year while others have them like clockwork. Sleep, exercise, food and even sneezing can trigger migraines. Migraines can also mimic other conditions, so it's important to get a definite diagnosis before starting any treatment. Both general practitioners and neurologists see people with migraines.

2. Locate the Throbbing Pain

The most common shared symptom is a dull ache that turns into a throbbing and even pulsating head pain. This is what people with common migraines feel, such as migraines without aura, the most frequently occurring type. Head pain is often at one temple, but it can alternate sides or travel to the back of the head. Pain may radiate from pressure against inflamed blood vessels. Nausea and sensitivity to light often accompany the throbbing. Migraine pain often incapacitates people who must retreat to a cool, dark room.

3. Lights, Action, Migraine

About 1/3 of the people with migraines get a preview of coming attractions from an aura before the pain begins. The aura tends to be some kind of visual disturbance, like flashing lights, tunnel vision or a temporary loss of vision. Auras can even be some type of hallucination. Up to 30 minutes later, intense pain happens at the temple or around the other eye. People who experience migraines with aura can also have numbness, tingling and confusion. Some people can curb the intensity of the migraine if they recognize the aura as a hint of things to come, take prescribed medication and lie down.

4. Consider Your Time of the Month

Young women with basilar artery migraines may suffer from a hormonal imbalance associated with their menstrual cycle. Signs that a hormonal migraine is about to hit can include dizziness, double vision and problems with coordination. Headache pain my travel to the back of the head and include vomiting. If migraine headaches start soon after you start hormones for birth control or menopause, talk to your doctor about alternatives. Some women find success in taking preventive medication about a week before their period starts.

5. The Eyes Have It

Several types of migraine headaches focus on the eyes, including ophthalmoplegic or ocular migraines. Pain centers on the eye and may even paralyze muscles around the eye to cause a droopy eyelid. Although rare, this type of migraine needs medical attention because there might be a problem with pressure on the nerves of the eye. Also referred to as retinal migraines, ocular migraines start with a visual disturbance like blind spots or temporary blindness. Afterwards, pain sometimes starts on the same side of the head. Ocular migraines occur more in older people, but any migraine involving the eyes needs an evaluation to rule out other problems.
Post a comment

Last Updated: February 16, 2009

Karen Gibson, B.A., M.S.W., is a freelance writer with 20 years of writing experience who is passionate about nutrition and outdoor sports. She specializes is writing articles promoting a healthy lifestyle. Her work has been published in Backpacker magazine as well as on numerous national websites.

Article from Livestrong.com

Omega-3 Fats Improve Mental Well-Being in Menopause

Women who are in the throes of menopause can experience a range of debilitating symptoms, which can be psychological (for example, anxiety or depression) or physical (hot flushes and night sweats). Conventional medical treatment for menopause is centered on hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

However, concerns about the safety of HRT (for instance, it’s linked with an increased risk of breast cancer) and some doubts about how effective it is for quelling menopausal symptoms have led many women to seek alternatives.

One popular brand of natural medicine that offers something for menopausal women is herbal medicine. Quite a few herbs are recommended for menopausal symptoms, including black cohosh and St. John’s wort. There is evidence that supports the use of St. John’s wort as an antidepressant, and black cohosh has been shown to successfully treat menopausal symptoms.

One other treatment strategy that may have some merit in the treatment of menopause involves the omega-3 fats such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) found in oily fish. Omega-3 fats do seem to have some ability to reduce the risk of cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease and stroke, the risk of which is generally higher after the menopause. Omega-3 fats also seem to have the power to protect against depression and may even assist in the treatment of this condition.

In a study published in the most recent edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 120 menopausal women suffering from “psychological distress” were treated with omega-3 fats or placebo (sunflower oil) for 8 weeks [1]. The women taking omega-3 fats were given 1.05 g of EPA and 0.15 g of DHA per day.

Some of the women in this study suffered from depression severe enough to be diagnosed with a “major depressive episode.” Compared to placebo, individuals in this group were not significantly helped by taking omega-3 fats after eight weeks of treatment.

However, when the results from the rest of the women were analyzed, omega-3 treatment was associated with significant improvements in psychological well-being and reduced symptoms of depression. These results suggest that omega-3 supplementation may be beneficial for improving the psychological well-being of menopausal women.

Reference:

1. Lucas M, et al. Ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid for the treatment of psychological distress and depressive symptoms in middle-aged women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2009; 89: 641–651

Dr. John Briffa is a London-based physician and health writer with an interest in nutrition and natural medicine. His Web site is drbriffa.com

Last Updated
Feb 8, 2009

Managing High Blood Pressure With Chinese Medicine By China Research Group

Chinese medicine aims to correct the cause of high blood pressure—this is what “keeping blood pressure down in the right way” means.

Specialist in Chinese medicine Dr. Alex Perry from the Blue Sky Clinic, Canberra, says: “Chinese medicine would like to try—particularly in looking at the etiology of disease—[to] determine where the problem is coming from. If you can narrow it down to perhaps lifestyle or emotional factors, then you have a better approach than just lowering the blood pressure. ...”

Perry said, “There is a very strong mind-body connection. What is happening mentally, emotionally, [and] physically has a profound effect on physiology; high blood pressure is a good example.”

Lifestyle factors, including alcohol consumption, can influence blood pressure.
Herbal Treatments

There are numerous Chinese medicinal herbs used to treat high blood pressure. Their aim is to make the kidney excrete more urine; dilate blood vessels; regulate the nervous, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems; and regulate the blood supply of the internal organs and the brain.
The Shanghai Institute of Hypertension screened 498 medicinal herbs and found 136—including Stephania root, Apocynus lancifolium, Menispermum dauricum, Clerodendreon trichotomum, Uncaria sinensis, and Pheretima asperillum—and 56 herbal formulas that help lower blood pressure.

Perry said there were up to 20 different herbs that can be used in different combinations that act by soothing or pacifying the liver.

Ginseng has also been studied, and it has been found to either lower or raise blood pressure, so high blood pressure sufferers should consult their physicians before using it. Other treatments include cupping, qigong, and acupuncture.

“We generally do a combination of acupuncture and herbal treatment. Some Chinese medical practitioners use acupuncture alone; some use herbal medicine alone; some use a combination.”

However, Perry said, “In some cases where hypertension is quite dangerous, medication from Western medicine is perhaps more appropriate.”

Last Updated
Feb 6, 2009

How to stop cough in 5 minutes?

This is a must try....
We have all been kept awake by our own or someone else's cough. Try this and pass it on. The tip and not the cough.

ANYTHING is better than antibiotics. Even babies could benefit from this and the parents wouldn't worry about the safety of their child. And of course, it is harmless and free from any type of side-effects.
WOW! I was raised, and raised my kids with Vicks. How come I never knew this?

READ IT ALL. It works 100 percent of the time, although the scientists at the Canada Research council (who discovered it) aren't sure why.

Treatment:
To stop night time coughing in a child (or an adult, as we found out personally), put Vicks Vapor Rub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime and then cover with socks.

Even persistent, heavy, deep coughing will stop in about five minutes and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief.
This works 100 percent of the time, and is more effective in children than even very strong prescription cough medicines.

In addition it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly. I heard the head of the Canada Research Council describe these findings on the part of their scientists when they were investigating the effectiveness and usage of prescription cough medicines in children, as compared to alternative therapies like acupressure.

I just happened to tune in to a.m. Radio and picked up this guy talking about why cough medicines in kids often do more harm than good due to the chemical makeup of these strong drugs, so I listened.

It was a surprising finding and found to be more effective than prescribed medicines for children at bedtime, and in addition to have a soothing and calming effect on sick children who then went on to sleep soundly.

How to stop cough in 5 minutes!!! This is a must try...

Don't waste time regretting or expecting too much in your life..Yesterday is history.Tomorrow is a mystery.But Today is a gift - and that is why it is called the PRESENT..

Regular Health Mistakes

All of us make little health mistakes that cause damage to our bodies in the long run - simply because we are unaware we are doing something wrong. Here are some of the most common mistakes made by many of us.

Crossing our legs
Do you cross your legs at your knees when sitting? Although we may believe that this is the lady-like elegant way to sit, sitting this way cuts down circulation to your legs. If you don't want varicose veins to mar the beauty of your legs and compromise your health, uncross your legs every time you realise you have one knee on top of the other. The best way to sit is to simply place both legs together on the floor, balancing your weight equally. If you feel like changing position, instead of crossing your legs, simply move both legs together to one side. As an alternative, you could also consider crossing your legs loosely at the ankles. This is a classically elegant way to sit, and is far better for your legs and your health than sitting with your legs crossed at your knees.

Not changing our toothbrush
How often do you change your toothbrush? Most of us wait until most of the bristles have either fallen off, or are in such bad shape that we'd be embarrassed to pull out our brush in public. However, since not many of us need to pull out our brush in public, we carry on with our frayed one until we lose it. Replace your toothbrush often. Damaged bristles can harm the enamel, and don't massage your gums well. If you find brushing your teeth a pain like I do, but know you must do it, you might as well be doing it right. Imagine going through the annoyance of brushing your teeth twice a day only to find out that you're damaging your enamel every time you clean your teeth. Also, use a brush with soft bristles unless your dentist has advised otherwise.

Eating out often
There are oils that are high in cholesterol, and oils that cause little harm and are better for your heart. However, no matter how light
the oil is, it is never a good idea to eat too much of it. Avoid fried foods.Remember that in all probability your favorite Indian food
restaurant throws a huge, HUGE chunk of butter in a tiny bowl of dal. Rita, who worked in the kitchen of a 5 star hotel, was shocked when she saw the cook chop a 500gm butter slab in half, and throw half into a Paneer Makhani dish. No wonder the customers left licking their fingers. And no wonder they felt so stuffed and heavy afterwards. Limit outdoor eating unless you know that you're getting served light and healthy food.

Skipping breakfast
Never, ever skip breakfast. Remember, when you wake up in the morning it's been around 10-12 hours since your last meal. Your body needs food now, more than at any other time. Eat a heavy breakfast. You will then be busy through the day, and the calories will get expended quickly. If you are trying to diet, eat a light dinner. Here are some more common health mistakes we make. Being informed and making a few changes can help make us feel a whole lot better.

High heels
High heels sure look great, but they're murder for your back. This however doesn't mean you should steer clear of stilettos. Wear them, but not when you know you will be walking around a lot. Wear them when going out for lunch or dinner - when the only walking you will be doing is to your car, to the table, and back. Avoid high heels when you are going somewhere on foot. If you are constantly tempted to wear your heels, take a good look at your flats. Is there something about them you dislike? Invest in a new pair of beautiful flats or shoes with a low heel. Buy something you love, that you will enjoy wearing. If possible, get a matching bag. You will then enjoy your flats as much as you do your heels.

Sleeping on a soft bed
You don't have to sleep on the floor be kind to your back, but do make sure you have a firm mattress. Although a mattress on springs is soft and lovely to sink into, it's bad for your back. If you already have an old bed with springs, you don't need to invest in a new one - simply get a thick wooden plank put over the springs, and place the mattress on the plank. Similarly, if your mattress is old and lumpy, throw it out and get a new one. Your neck and your back will thank you. The same rule applies to sofas. If you will be spending hours on a sofa, get a firm yet comfortable one. Sofas you completely sink into are not the best idea.

Pillows
No matter how comfortable sleeping with ten cushions is, have pity on your neck and resist. Sleep with one pillow, and make sure it is not too thick. If your pillow gets lumpy, discard it and go for a new one. Get a thin pillow if you sleep on your stomach, and something a little thicker if you sleep on your back, to give your neck adequate support.

Not exercising
So all of us know we should exercise more, but many of us don't. This is a health mistake we consciously make! And why is that? Simply because we refuse to admit the damage we are causing to our bodies by not working out. A number of people only start working out once they've experienced a warning signal. Don't wait for a heart attack to strike before you decide to opt for a lifestyle change. Make the change now. You don't need to train for the marathon to be in top shape. Half an hour of brisk walking three to four times a week will make a world of difference to your health. You could then increase this to forty minutes, four times a week - and you're all set. If you haven't exercised for a week, you're making a mistake.


Today's Message of the Day is:

Life is short. Forgive quickly. Love truly. Laugh often, and never regret anything that made you smile.

Different Parts Of Our Body Age At Different Times

WE all accept that getting older is inevitable, and now leading clinicians have revealed the exact age when different body parts start to decline, most alarming being the brain and lungs. French doctors have found that the quality of men's' sperm starts to deteriorate by 35, so that by the time a man is 45 a third of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Here, with the help of leading clinicians, Angela Epstein tells the Daily Mail the ages when different parts of the body start to lose their battle with time.

BRAIN - Starts ageing at 20: As we get older, the number of nerve cells - or neurons - in the brain decreases. We start with around 100 billion, but in our 20s this number starts to decline. By 40, we could be losing up to 10,000 per day, affecting memory, co-ordination and brain function.

GUT - Starts ageing at 55: A healthy gut has a good balance between harmful and 'friendly' bacteria. But levels of friendly bacteria in the gut drop significantly after 55, particularly in the large intestine, says Tom MacDonald, professor of immunology at Barts And The London medical school. As a result, we suffer from poor digestion and an increased risk of gut disease. Constipation is more likely as we age, as the flow of digestive juices from the stomach, liver, pancreas and small intestine slows down.

BREASTS - Start ageing at 35: By their mid-30s, women's breasts start losing tissue and fat thereby reducing in size and fullness. Sagging starts properly at 40 and the areola (the area surrounding the nipple) can shrink considerably.

BLADDER - Starts ageing at 65: Loss of bladder control is more likely when you hit 65. Women are more vulnerable to bladder problems as, after the menopause, declining estrogen levels make tissues in the urethra - the tube through which urine passes - thinner and weaker, reducing bladder support. Bladder capacity in an older adult generally is about half that of a younger person - about two cups in a 30-year-old and one cup in a 70-year-old....

LUNGS - Start ageing at 20: Lung capacity slowly starts to decrease from the age of 20. By the age of 40, some people are already experiencing breathlessness. This is partly because the muscles and the rib cage which control breathing stiffen up.

VOICE - Starts ageing at 65: Our voices become quieter and hoarser with age. The soft tissues in the voice box (larynx) weaken, affecting the pitch, loudness and quality of the voice. A woman's voice may become huskier and lower in pitch, whereas a man's might become thinner and higher.

EYES - Start ageing at 40: Glasses are the norm for many over-40s as failing eyesight kicks in - usually long-sightedness, affecting our ability to see objects up close.

HEART - Starts ageing at 40: The heart pumps blood less effectively around the body as we get older. This is because blood vessels become less elastic, while arteries can harden or become blocked because of fatty deposits forming on the coronary arteries - caused by eating too much saturated fat. The blood supply to the heart is then reduced, resulting in painful angina. Men over 45 and women over 55 are at greater risk of a heart attack.

LIVER - Starts ageing at 70: This is the only organ in the body which seems to defy the aging process.

KIDNEYS - Starts ageing at 50: With kidneys, the number of filtering units (nephrons) that remove waste from the bloodstream starts to reduce in middle age.

PROSTATE - Starts ageing at 50: The prostate often becomes enlarged with age, leading to problems such as increased need to urinate, says Professor Roger Kirby, director of the Prostate Centre in London . This is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia and affects half of men over 50, but rarely those under 40. It occurs when the prostate absorbs large amounts of the male sex hormone testosterone, which increases the growth of cells in the prostate. A normal prostate is the size of a walnut, but the condition can increase this to the size of a tangerine.

BONES - Start ageing at 35: 'Throughout our life, old bone is broken down by cells called osteoclasts and replaced by bone-building cells called osteoblasts - a process called bone turnover,' explains Robert Moots, professor of rheumatology at Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool . Children's bone growth is rapid - the skeleton takes just two years to renew itself completely. In adults, this can take ten years. Until our mid-20s, bone density is still increasing. But at 35 bone loss begins as part of the natural ageing process.

TEETH - Start ageing at 40 : As we age, we produce less saliva, which washes away bacteria, so teeth and gums are more vulnerable to decay. Receding gums - when tissue is lost from gums around the teeth - is common in adults over 40.

MUSCLES - Start ageing at 30 : Muscle is constantly being built up and broken down, a process which is well balanced in young adults. However, by the time we're 30, breakdown is greater than buildup, explains Professor Robert Moots. Once adults reach 40, they start to lose between 0.5 and 2 per cent of their muscle each year. Regular exercise can help prevent this.

HEARING - Starts ageing mid-50s : More than half of people over 60 lose hearing because of their age, according to the Royal National Institute for the Deaf.

SKIN - Starts ageing mid-20s : The skin starts to age naturally in your mid-20s.

TASTE AND SMELL - Start ageing at 60: We start out in life with about 10,000 taste buds scattered on the tongue. This number can halve later in life. After we turn 60, taste and smell gradually decline, partly as a result of the normal ageing process.

FERTILITY - Starts ageing at 35: Female fertility begins to decline after 35, as the number and quality of eggs in the ovaries start to fall. The lining of the womb may become thinner, making it less likely for a fertilized egg to take and also creating an environment hostile to sperm.

HAIR - Starts ageing at 30: Male hair loss usually begins in the 30s. Hair is made in tiny pouches just under the skin's surface, known as follicles. A hair normally grows from each follicle for about three years, is then shed, and a new hair grows. Most people will have some grey hair by the age of 35. When we are young, our hair is colored by the pigments produced by cells in the hair follicle known as melanocytes.

If You Take Antibiotics, Consider Taking Probiotics

Antibiotics can be lifesavers and reduce illness and suffering, but they are not without risk. For a start, the widespread and sometimes indiscriminate use of antibiotics over the last few decades has contributed to the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria that can prove fatal. Antibiotic-related allergy is another issue with potentially fatal consequences. Another risk associated with antibiotics is that of cutting a swath through the healthy bacteria in the gut.

In the short term this may lead to digestive symptoms such as diarrhea, but there is the possibility of long-term problems too. Antibiotic therapy, particularly repeated courses, has the theoretical capacity to upset the ecosystem in the gut that can lead to an organism imbalance. In natural medicine, antibiotic therapy is believed to lead to a relative abundance of yeast species, for example, Candida, that have the capacity to provoke symptoms such as bloating, flatulence, and altered bowel habit. Antibiotics can be a trigger factor for what is often described as irritable bowel syndrome.

For these reasons, I generally advise individuals who take antibiotics to take a course of probiotics (healthy gut bacteria) during and after taking antibiotics. I know of no research that has assessed this approach in the long-term health and function of the gut, but there have been a few studies, which have assessed the impact of probiotic therapy. Relevant science in this area was recently reviewed in a study published in the journal American Family Physician. Seven good-quality studies were identified, and the results support the use of probiotics for the prevention of antibiotic-related diarrhea. The probiotics also had a good safety profile in both adults and children.

Some of us will be entering the time of year where chest infections will become more common and more antibiotics may be prescribed and taken as a result. Taking a probiotic may be a good insurance against short-terms problems and longer-term issues too.

Reference:

Kligler B, et al. Probiotics. American Family Physician, 2008;8(9): 1073-1078

Dr. John Briffa is a London-based physician and author with an interest in nutrition and natural medicine.
Dr. Briffa's Web site

Last Updated
Jan 1, 2009

Fast Food + Nearby Schools = Fat Kids - Reuters

CHICAGO—Youths who study just a short walk from a fast-food outlet eat fewer fruits and vegetables, drink more soda, and are more likely to be obese than students at other schools, according to research published last week.

The study, which involved more than 500,000 adolescents at middle schools and high schools in California, lends new fuel to a growing backlash against the fast-food industry as studies suggest they contribute to the rising obesity epidemic in the United States.

“We’ve basically discovered that kids who are going to a school that is near a fast-food restaurant have a higher chance of being overweight and obese than kids who are at a school that is not near a fast-food restaurant,” said Brennan Davis of Azusa Pacific University in California, whose study appears in the American Journal of Public Health.

U.S. youth obesity rates have tripled since 1980, although they leveled off this decade. The government says 32 percent of U.S. children are overweight and 16 percent are obese.

Consumer groups have pushed for laws such as July’s moratorium on new fast-food restaurants in certain Los Angeles neighborhoods, while the food industry often maintains that a lack of exercise is more to blame.

The researchers said it is not yet clear whether their results apply to other parts of the United States, and this should be studied further.

But their study adds to prior research showing that fast-food restaurants tend to be clustered near schools.

“We are actually making a connection between fast food proximity to schools and obesity,” Davis said in a telephone interview.

“Students who were exposed to nearby fast food have a higher level of body mass index—they weigh more. They are more likely to be overweight and obese,” he said.

For the study, Davis and colleagues examined the relationship between fast-food restaurants located within one half mile (.80 km) of schools and obesity among middle and high school students in California.

They took weight and dietary information from a statewide school survey between 2002 and 2005 and cross-referenced the data with a database of top fast-food chains located near each school.

“Overall, our patterns are consistent with the idea that fast food near schools affects students’ eating habits, overweight, and obesity,” Davis and colleagues wrote.

They also found that students whose schools were located near-fast food restaurants eat fewer servings of vegetables and fruits and drink far more soda than students at schools not located near fast-food restaurants.

The study could not determine why fast-food restaurants near schools have such an impact, but Davis said it likely goes well beyond access to burgers, fries, and tacos.

“A nearby fast-food restaurant is really a hangout place for people to socialize,” Davis said.

Last Updated
Dec 29, 2008