by admin | Jul 11, 2018 | Health Awareness
Mild nausea can be experienced by many for different reasons but there are some foods and drinks that may be beneficial in relieving that nauseous feeling. Sometimes nausea can be a symptom of something serious especially if you notice other signs like fainting, cramps, severe pain in the chest etc. It is very important to find out the cause of the discomforts as sometimes inflammation due to medication can also be the cause. Everyday Health suggests the following foods and drinks below:
Crackers
Foods that are rich in starch like bread, toast, or crackers help in the absorption of the gastric juice settling down the queasiness of the stomach. Since crackers are bland in nature, they not only help in satisfying the hunger but also not having a strong smell or taste decreases the symptoms of nausea. Starchy foods also absorb the acids present in the stomach.
Apples
Eating apples can help relieve nausea as they are rich in fiber. Fiber helps in slowing down the digestion. Too much fiber can cause nausea so be sure to eat in moderation. You can also try apple juice and applesauce if you face trouble digesting foods that are solid.
Water
Taking small sips of water can keep you hydrated and keep the headaches at bay that is accompanied by nausea. Start by slowly drinking small amounts until you feel you can take in larger amounts. Drinking too much water can make the symptoms worse so it is best to drink water with occasional sips throughout the day.
Ginger
Ginger is highly effective in relieving nausea. It can be consumed in a powder or in a cup of ginger ale. It has also been observed that ginger is commonly used to reduce nausea during pregnancy. You may also try ginger candy, cookies or even pickled ginger, to broaden your choices.
Chicken Broth
Eat chicken broth instead of chicken soup when feeling nauseated. The broth is less in fat, rich in potassium, and keeps you hydrated if vomiting is experienced.
Nuts
Deficiency of protein can make nausea worse. Try snacking on protein-rich foods such as nuts that are easy to digest. Nausea can be caused due to low sugar levels, so consuming protein foods may help. However, doctors warn that if you are sick and fighting off a virus then nuts may do the opposite.
Bananas
If you are suffering from dehydration along with nausea, then eating bananas can help restore the potassium level which is usually decreased due to diarrhea and vomiting.
Sports Drinks
Sports drinks are rich in potassium and sodium which help restore the levels of nutrients. Taking small sips of such beverages occasionally promotes hydration and can help restore the levels of lost electrolytes due to vomiting.
Mint
Mint has a very refreshing aroma that can make nausea go away, chewing on fresh mint leaves can or drinking a cup of mint tea can be highly effective in relieving nausea symptoms
by admin | Jul 9, 2018 | Health Awareness, Parkinson's Disease, Stem Cell Research, Studies
Parkinson’s disease is known to be a slowly progressing neurological disorder that can cause issues with the motor movement of the body. Signs of Parkinson’s disease can include severe stiffness, loss of balance, and lethargy. Although there are no cures for the condition, symptoms can be slowed down. However, most of the prescribed drugs for Parkinson’s disease can decrease in effectiveness over the course of time. This led to some investigation from researchers to consider the role of exercise as a treatment option. Initial studies revealed that exercise does reduce the symptoms and slowed the progression of the condition.
According to a recent phase 2 study, intense treadmill exercise can potentially reduce the progression symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. In this study, researchers treated exercise as a treatment and tracked the safety and effectiveness of different levels of exercise. The study consisted of 128 people that had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and were not taking any medications nor exercised. The aerobic capacity, heartbeats and the severity of the disease were tested for a baseline.
The patients were divided into three groups. Group 1 was asked to continue living their life in a normal manner. Group 2 was asked to implement exercise in which they would walk on the treadmill daily for 30 minutes, four times a week. The speed of the treadmill was manipulated to maintain the heart rate of the participants between 60 to 65 percent of their maximum heart rate. Group 3 was asked to also implement exercise for the same amount of time but their heart rate was maintained in the range of 80 to 85 percent of their maximum rates. The patients were under supervision for the initial month and then asked to continue exercising on their own.
At the end of the six-month study, Group 1 showed their symptoms progressed further. Group 2 showed their symptoms progressed but not as much as Group 1. Group 3 showed almost no progression in their symptoms after following a heavier exercise regimen as the other groups. This study concluded that higher intensity exercise helped in decreasing the symptoms by improving the neuronal blood supply. Improved blood flow helps with the overall health of the brain and slows down the deterioration of the body.
The findings from the study are quite encouraging for patients who are recently diagnosed or early in their symptoms to have great benefits from the heavy exercise program. However, it is advised to consult with your physician prior to starting an exercise plan to avoid injuries and ensure your safety.
by admin | Jul 3, 2018 | Health Awareness, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Stem Cell Therapy
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a powerful treatment used to aid in the healing of many conditions and illnesses. Individuals who undergo this unique form of therapy sit in a controlled environment, called a chamber, with higher levels of oxygen and increased atmospheric pressure. Together, the pressure and high oxygen concentration help to oxygenate the blood, which can facilitate cellular regeneration, healing of wounds, and decreases in inflammation levels. The therapy can treat burns and sores, concussions, sports injuries, and decompression syndrome, among other ailments.
In fact, the benefits of HBOT span so far and wide that some individuals have even sought to bring the treatment into their own homes. This is done using soft HBOT chambers, which are different from the hard medical-grade chambers that are operated by professionals in treatment centers. Here, we walk you through the key differences between hard and soft chambers to help you make informed decisions about your treatment options.
Hard HBOT Chambers
To understand the most critical differences among hard and soft chambers, it’s important to revisit the two key principles of HBOT: oxygen and pressure. Combining these two factors to facilitate an environment in which expedited healing can take place is what makes this form of therapy so effective. In hard chambers, the air features 100% medical-grade oxygen and is commonly pressurized to a maximum atmospheric absolute (ATA) of up to 3.0, or a depth of 66 feet. They are specifically built to achieve pressures for therapeutic purposes, and some can go to 6.0 ATA.
The immense level of healing achieved through these systems is backed by thousands of clinical studies and has even been shown to aid in bone and tissue regrowth. Conditions that have shown benefit with HBOT in conjunction with stem cell therapy are Multiple Sclerosis, Traumatic Brain Injury, Post-Stroke, and Sports Injuries to name a few. This is because hard chamber HBOT can mobilize stem cells (CD34+ pluripotent cells) responsible for the regrowth of significantly wounded areas. Hard HBOT chambers can also kill harmful bacteria.
Because these hard-sided chambers are found only in medical or therapy centers and controlled by trained professionals, the risks of breathing contaminated or polluted air are mitigated. In addition, hard chambers meet the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy (ASME-PVHO-1) standard. However, because it is illegal to purchase medical-grade oxygen without a prescription, this form of therapy can only be received under the care of specialists.
Soft-Sided HBOT Chambers
Unlike hard-sided chambers, soft-sided HBOT chambers are portable and can be purchased for home use. They typically feature a steel frame with a zipped inflatable chamber. Oftentimes, they are used as a temporary treatment for divers and mountain climbers suffering from decompression syndrome and altitude sickness when they are already in route to receive HBOT in a hard chamber. On the surface, soft HBOT chambers might seem like a convenient alternative to receiving therapy at a treatment center. Yet, research shows that these solutions are ineffective for achieving the same level of benefits provided by hard chambers, and in fact, using them can put patients at risk.
Let’s return to the two components needed for effective HBOT: oxygen and pressure. While the air in hard chambers is 100% medical-grade oxygen, soft chambers used at home feature regular ambient air, with just 21% oxygen. Plus, they can only be pressurized to 1.3 ATA, or a depth of roughly eight feet. This lower pressure level is simply not enough to facilitate healing. Used in conjunction with 100% oxygen (which again, can only be administered by medical professionals), it can be used as a temporary treatment for altitude sickness and decompression syndrome – but that is all the FDA approves soft-sided HBOT chambers for. Therefore, they serve little purpose in the home setting. In fact, it isn’t recommended for soft chambers to be used for any type of healing outside of treating the two conditions described above. Not only are the oxygen and pressure levels too low to achieve treatment, but the environment can promote the growth of undesirable aerobic bacteria. Soft chambers do not meet the ASME PVHO-1, have not been proven to promote healing through clinical research, and may even pose risks of breathing in polluted or contaminated air.
Ultimately, soft chambers may provide medical benefits in very specific circumstances, but hard chambers are the only vessel for HBOT that can support all types of healing by oxygenating the blood and stimulating stem cells. When practiced under the care of trained professionals, hard chamber HBOT poses few minimal risks and can make a significant difference in improving an individual’s quality of life.
by admin | Jun 27, 2018 | Health Awareness
Magnesium plays an important role in bodily functions. It is required for more than 300 enzyme systems, including nerve function and blood glucose control. While the mineral is abundant in the body, many adults need more of it. Research shows that 68% of U.S. adults consume less than the recommended daily amount of magnesium, with nearly one-fifth of the population taking in less than half than necessary amounts.
Why Is Magnesium So Important?
In recent years, researchers have established a link between magnesium levels and inflammation. Research shows that at the cellular level, magnesium is responsible for reducing inflammation. When magnesium intake is increased in subjects with high chronic inflammation, the inflammatory response decreases.
Because many medical experts and scientific researchers believe that many chronic illnesses share the common root cause of inflammation, controlling the body’s inflammatory response is critical to staying disease-free and ensuring long-term wellness. Cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes are just a few of the illnesses commonly attributed to chronic inflammation. Moreover, individuals who already have chronic diseases could achieve better symptom control by reducing inflammation levels through added magnesium intake.
Additional Magnesium Benefits
Beyond controlling inflammation, magnesium contributes to heart health, bone strength, and energy creation. It also helps to create and repair RNA, supports muscle movement, and aids in mood regulation. In fact, individuals with the lowest magnesium intake levels have been found to be more at risk of developing depression.
How Can I Increase My Magnesium Intake?
First, it’s important to understand that your magnesium levels could be fine. Some common reasons for low magnesium levels include alcoholism, low dietary intake, and poor kidney functionality. Unless you have one of these or another preexisting condition which causes magnesium intake, you may not need to increase your levels.
Magnesium is found naturally in spinach, black beans, avocado, certain types of nuts, and enriched cereals. It is also found in many dairy products and whole grain foods. Thus, if you are already following healthy eating habits, you may be getting enough magnesium through your diet alone.
Nonetheless, deficiencies are possible. People with type 2 diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, and older adults are more at risk for deficiencies. Early signs of deficiencies include nausea, diarrhea, confusion, weakness, vomiting, and fatigue. As the condition progresses, seizures, muscle cramps, numbness, tingling, and abnormal heartbeats can occur.
If you’re wondering whether your magnesium levels should be higher, talk to your doctor. They may recommend a serum magnesium test to assess your levels. If you are too low in the mineral, they may recommend taking a daily supplement to increase your levels and potentially improve your overall health.
by admin | Jun 25, 2018 | Health Awareness
Sugar is a simple carbohydrate the body processes and uses for energy. It is found in its natural form as fructose in fruit and as lactose in dairy products. Yet, chemically-produced sugar is also added to certain processed foods to produce a different flavor. The way our bodies metabolizes sugar depends on the type and the amount we consume.
Controlling the intake of all forms of sugar is critically important for individuals with diabetes and pre-diabetes, as having any form of the disease means you have too much glucose in your blood. Failure to control blood sugar could lead to complications like eye damage, foot damage, and skin conditions in diabetes sufferers. Worse yet, some complications, such as cardiovascular disease, could even be life-threatening.
An estimated 9% of the U.S. population has diabetes and must therefore actively control their sugar intake. Yet, here’s a staggering fact to consider: more than a third of U.S. adults aged 18 or older have prediabetes, which suggests our ability to limit sugar intake – especially the type found in processed food – must improve.
Beyond Diabetes
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing dramatically, but there are also other reasons for populations as a whole to begin watching their sugar intake. Excess sugar is linked to fatty liver disease, heart disease, and high cholesterol. It can also have deadly consequences: research shows individuals who consumed 25% or more of their daily calories as sugar were more than two times as likely to die from heart disease than those whose diets had less than 10% added sugar.
Added sugars have no nutritional value; yet, they make up at least 10% of the calories average U.S. individuals consume daily. In fact, the average person consumes more than 126 grams of the sweet stuff each day, which is more than twice the daily recommendation of 50 grams set forth by the World Health Organization. Thus, in order to avoid the scary health risks discussed above, it’s critical for the majority of the population to start slashing sugar levels.
How to Reduce Sugar Intake
One barrier to controlling sugar intake is the fact that the habit is particularly hard to kick. Once we begin consuming sugar regularly, we are hardwired to continue craving it. While it might not have addictive properties per se, research shows that consuming sugar releases dopamine and impacts the same region of the brain as cocaine and heroin.
Luckily, there are effective ways to slowly reduce your sugar intake. For many individuals, sodas are the primary source of added sugars. Switching to seltzer water with fresh fruit can aid in significantly lowering processed sugar intake. For others, processed foods are the worst offenders. Be wary of low-fat processed foods, which often contain added sugars to improve flavor. Regularly choosing fruit when you’re craving something sweet can help provide your body with nutrients instead of empty calories, and may help you avoid the potentially serious effects of sugar over a long-term basis.
by admin | Jun 22, 2018 | Health Awareness
The father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, once said that all disease begins in the gut. Though his belief was born more than 2,000 years ago, many scientists support his theory to this day. In fact, researchers are still uncovering new links between intestinal health and certain types of diseases. While it’s true that not all afflictions originate in the GI tract, most health experts now agree that a leaky gut could be responsible for many types of chronic conditions. Let’s take a closer look at what that means.
The Importance of Gut Health
The human intestinal tract is home to as many as 500 unique species of bacteria. Many of these are considered “good” bacteria: they aid in digestion, process nutrients, and help your body fight off bacteria. Maintaining harmony among these bacteria is therefore critically important to a person’s overall wellness. When the balance is altered, it causes a condition called dysbiosis.
The condition can be as mild as an upset stomach which corrects itself, but in its more advanced form, it can produce chronic symptoms such as constipation, nausea, diarrhea, and fatigue. Overgrowth of a single bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, can cause conditions such as staph infections. This bacterial imbalance may also lead to leaky gut syndrome.
The Role of Gut Lining
When the ratio of good-to-bad gut bacteria is off-kilter, unwanted bacteria called endotoxins may leak through the intestinal lining and make their way into the bloodstream. The immune system registers the bacteria as foreign bodies and attacks them, causing chronic inflammation. It is suspected that this ongoing inflammatory reaction caused by intestinal permeability could be linked to serious illnesses, including fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes. Leaky gut is also suspected to be related to chronic inflammatory conditions like arthritis, as well as allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, and gastric ulcers.
How to Promote a Healthier Gut
Unfortunately, achieving a balanced intestinal microbiome isn’t always as simple as maintaining a healthy diet. While limiting the intake of processed foods and alcohol could help (and delivers additional health benefits anyhow), there are other factors at play. Everything from the compounds in our tap water to antibiotics alters our gut bacteria, so many people need a more powerful solution for effectively restoring healthy gut flora.
If you suffer from symptoms suggestive of dysbiosis, including diarrhea, bloating, reflux, constipation, or other forms of stomach irritation, it’s a good idea to seek help from a functional medicine doctor. Professionals can assess your symptoms and may order a diagnostic test such as a hydrogen breath test, comprehensive digestive stool analysis, or organic acids test to check for bacterial imbalances.
In the meantime, there are solutions available for stimulating the development of healthy gut bacteria, such as taking probiotics and using bovine colostrum. Rich in gut-healing immunoglobulins, these solutions are simply mixed with water and consumed twice daily on an empty stomach. After continued use, colostrum has been proven to modulate immune function and fight off infectious processes.
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