Natural Health and Herbal Remedies Blog - information on herbal medicine

DIETARY AND NUTRITIONAL FACTORS IN CIRCULATORY DISEASE: DAIRY IS DIRE

admin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 09:48:06 +0000

The single action of cutting dairy products out (or dramatically down) could of itself go a long way towards redressing the degeneration of arteries. This means less or no milk, cheese, cream, cream cheese, most yoghurt, and last but by no means least, butter. However, a word about butter, or rather about its rival, margarine.

Butter is far better for you than margarine. Margarine is produced from seeds which are processed to within an inch of their natural lives. Apart from being heated (even so-called

cold-pressed margarines like safflower have to rise in temperature to 45° C) the numerous chemical processes used to purify, process and ‘butter’ the taste inevitably result in additives being present which no body needs.

A small pat of butter a day will not harm, but it is preferable to substitute pure virgin olive oil wherever possible, such as in salad dressings and for frying food (a bad habit in itself). Oil must be cold-pressed and kept cool at all times. Again it is a question of acquired taste, but it is a taste that is well worth developing, because olive oil actually helps the body to deal with unwanted levels of saturated fats.

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Cardio & Blood/ Cholesterol

LIVING A DYNAMIC, ACTIVE LIFE AFTER HEART ATTACK: AGE IS NOT LIMITING

admin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 09:47:32 +0000

I vividly recall my first trip to Florida in 1961; I went there with a college classmate to visit his grandparents. We passed many retirement homes, and saw large porches with rows and rows of rocking chairs. Elderly men and women got up in the morning, went out to sit on those chairs, and left only to eat and go to the bathroom. Day after day, rocking their lives away. If that was living to a ripe old age, I thought, I’m glad I have a family history of heart disease!

Well, the times certainly have changed since then. Today my own mother lives in a retirement village in Laguna Hills called Leisure World. In reality, it’s more a city than a village, with five Olympic’ size swimming pools, two golf courses, lawn bowling, tennis courts and horse stables. There’s scarcely a time when you can’t see men and women in their walking/jogging shoes briskly marching along the roads and paths that wind through the area, their arms pumping up and down as they log their daily kilometres.

A while back, doctors rather patronisingly felt that there was little reason to try to influence lifestyles of the elderly. “Let them enjoy their lives, why make them give up their pleasures or make them work,” was the well-intentioned rationale. Well, bunk!

A lot of doctors (though not all by any means) have seen that the elderly are among the best patients. Maybe that’s because they’re more aware of life’s finite limits, and maybe it’s because they have more time to devote to their own care. Whatever the reason, those senior citizens are likely to take every word of advice to heart. We now know that, regardless of age, one can derive benefits—and added years of life, both quantity and quality—by quitting smoking, by eating less fat and cholesterol and by getting more exercise.

Older people who regularly exercise also think better. Dr Louise Clarkson-Smith of Scripps College in Claremont, California found that the more elderly folks worked out, the better their mental fitness. She surveyed 300 men and women aged 55-91 in terms of their physical activity which included heavy housework, gardening, vigorous work and recreational exertion. Those who exercised most scored at the top in tests on vocabulary, memory, reaction time and reasoning.

Ask any older person, and he or she will tell you that one of the worst parts of getting old is the feeling of “losing it” mentally. Here’s a way to forestall or possibly even eliminate that aspect of aging by simply getting out and exercising.

Another all-too-frequent part of aging is the occurrence of diabetes. While there is a genetic component, weight gain along with reduced physical activity seem to trigger the problem. Studies done at Washington University with men and women in their mid-sixties indicates that both low-level and high-intensity exercise can do wonders by reducing triglycerides, raising levels of protective HDL cholesterol and increasing insulin sensitivity which would limit the effects of diabetes.

Effectiveness of the exercise programs was measured in terms of maximal oxygen uptake. During six months of low-intensity training by way of brisk walking, oxygen uptake increased by 12 per cent. After an additional six months of high-intensity training in which participants jogged, cycled or walked on an inclined treadmill at least three times a week, the oxygen uptake went up another 18 per cent.

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Cardio & Blood/ Cholesterol

CHILD’S HEALTH/SPECIFIC PROBLEMS BEHAVIOURS: HAIR-PULLING TREATMENT

admin — Thu, 21 May 2009 07:05:34 +0000

The treatment of this problem is focused on identifying any underlying contributing factors in the child or family and then addressing them appropriately. This is often difficult and time consuming. For many children with mild or infrequent episodes, it is often best to adopt a wait and see attitude, meanwhile offering support to the child.

When to see your doctor

It is usually a good idea to see the doctor when this habit first becomes apparent, to rule out any scalp condition such as ringworm or other cause of inflammation which can be treated. The doctor may also be able to throw some light on other psychological factors which may be contributing to the problem. Occasionally the child may need to be referred to a specialist, either a dermatologist (skin specialist) or a paediatrician.

It is not known why some children pull their hair out, and there is nothing specific that can be done in terms of prevention. When it does occur, attention to possible sources of stress in the child may improve or cure the condition.

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SUPER LOVE FOR SUPER SEX/LOVE-MAP LANDMARKS: DESCRIBE YOUR OVERALL SELF ESTEEM

admin — Mon, 18 May 2009 11:16:22 +0000

What is your reputation with yourself? What you think of yourself determines in large measure what you will think of others.

“I sort of feel okay about me. Not good, not bad. Just okay,” said one husband.

“Well, then,” answered the wife. “What does that make me? Why did I marry just okay? I think I deserve A-plus.”

My interviews of sex offenders and persons debilitated by paraphilias, when sex is separated from love, indicate that one common thread unites all of these persons: They all have extremely low self-esteem. Sex becomes more important than people. They seem to treat others sexually as they feel about themselves. They become driven by a sexual compulsion for “it” rather than him or her. How you feel about yourself will predict to a great extent how you feel about your marriage and how your partner will feel about himself or herself.

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POWER OVER PANIC/IN SEARCH OF SELF: INSIGHT

admin — Mon, 18 May 2009 08:27:41 +0000

As we begin to practise awareness, we become aware of our own behaviour and our subtle motivations. Slowly and subtly these insights into our self break through. What was initially destruction can become construction.

When the insights first come they are fleeting glimpses of how we could be. They disappear and reappear as we begin to assimilate them and begin to build on them. We begin to see that responsibility for our peace and happiness is ours, and ours alone. We cannot shift the responsibility of ourselves to other people or to other factors.

Sometimes we are able to assimilate the insights easily, at other times it calls for hard work. Sometimes the insights can herald changes so basic they are accompanied by fear.

As we become aware of these insights we begin to see we are letting go of more than the disorder. Life begins to take on a different meaning. Our ideals and values change. Things which were once important to us no longer seem so, yet it appears there is nothing else to take their place.

This can be very threatening and disturbing, despite our desperate longings to be ourselves. The pre-disorder identity has gone; its place was taken by the ‘disordered’ identity. This in turn is breaking down, leaving us no sense of identity, no sense of self, to take its place. The feeling of total annihilation can seem closer than ever before.

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ANTICIPATING AND DEALING WITH THE UNEXPECTED

admin — Mon, 18 May 2009 06:57:56 +0000

Even when all possible care has been taken, something unexpected may still be found during an operation. This happens especially with emergency operations, when there is not enough time to completely evaluate the situation before operating. However, it can happen with any operation. This means that you need another safeguard. You need to know what might still be found that would make the proposed operation inadvisable or impossible. Ask directly. You need to know how your surgeon would want to deal with each possible situation. Again, ask directly. You have the right to set limits on what you will permit. For example, you may not be prepared to have your breast removed (mastectomy) or to have your bowel ending in an opening on the abdominal wall (colostomy) or to have both ovaries or both testicles removed. Before making a final decision, try to find out what would be likely to happen if you refuse a certain procedure. In other words, try to make a really informed decision when setting your limits. Horrified as you may be at the idea of a colostomy or mastectomy, it is possible that the consequences of not having these procedures could be worse.

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HEAT PROBLEMS – SUN AND UV RAYS

admin — Fri, 15 May 2009 09:15:21 +0000

Coconut oil and many suntan lotions do a poor job of filtering out these dangerous rays but there are available many lotions and creams which effectively screen most of the UV rays.

These may be used in different strengths, depending on whether you want complete protection or want some rays to pass through and allow you to build up a tan. Ask your chemist — he has a list prepared by the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Anti-Cancer Council.

The sun can burn the skin and this causes the same trouble as any other burn. A first degree burn is where there is reddening without blister formation. This can be painful and incapacitating. Toxic products can form in the damaged skin, be absorbed and lead to malaise, fever and the inability to work.

The delicate skins of children and older people are more likely to suffer damage. Plenty of fluids, rest and the application of cold compresses will help to relieve this sunburn.

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PROLAPSE – GENERAL INFORMATION

admin — Fri, 15 May 2009 07:30:29 +0000

Displacement of the pelvic organs and the laxity of the vaginal walls may cause a woman to lose interest in sex, or pressure during intercourse may cause pain.

Repeated labors, particularly difficult ones, are believed to stretch and weaken all those structures which support the uterus. Tears through the lower vagina and perineum (the area between vagina and rectum) can weaken the pelvic floor and later lead to prolapse.

This is why most doctors who deliver babies often carry out an episiotomy by making a cut in this area to enlarge the opening as the baby is born, rather than allow a large head to tear it in an uncontrolled manner.

After menopause, the tissues may be weakened by the lack of circulating oestrogen, the female hormone. When the uterus falls down, it causes a feeling of pressure and discomfort, which may be worse when the woman strains by coughing or carrying heavy loads.

If the cervix protrudes, it may become inflamed and ulcerated by rubbing against the underclothes.

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SKIN CARE AND COSMETICS: COSMETIC MYTHS

admin — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:11:42 +0000

Hypo-allergenic creams. Some years ago it became evident that cosmetic products were producing allergic reactions in some users. Several manufacturers then began to produce cosmetic lines from which known sensitizing agents were excluded. These cosmetics were called ‘hypo-allergenic’. Since then the manufacturers of major brands of cosmetics have realized it is in their interest to omit ingredients likely to cause a significant number of allergic reactions among consumers. Thus at present there is little distinction among established cosmetic products concerning their potential to sensitize. Reactions to cosmetics, while relatively rare, occur with so called hypo-allergenic cosmetics as well as with those not so labelled. To date there is no known method of producing a true non-allergenic cosmetic.

Vitamin E cream. Vitamin E is currently in vogue for the treatment of various normal and abnormal skin conditions. Like the vitamins A, D, and K, it is fat soluble. Only about 400 units per day ore required, and these are easily obtained by eating eggs, margarine or vegetable oils. Various claims have been made for vitamin E, in particular that it is capable of the removal of wrinkles and stretch marks, the rapid healing of burns and wounds, the removal of underarm smells, that it can improve sexual potency, and, furthermore, that it can diminish the incidence of heart disease and diabetes. It is used both in capsule and in cream form. However, there is no evidence whatsoever that vitamin E is absorbed through the skin. Therefore, any effect it may have is due to its cream base, which once again is simply a variant of the good old cold cream. Furthermore, the effect, if any, of vitamin E on the skin is completely unknown, since there have been no controlled trials by which to evaluate its pharmaceutical or cosmetic effect. Consequently, its use continues to be based on recommendation rather than knowledge.

Recently, vitamin E has been investigated by the Consumer Union of the United States, and the New York State’s Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau, and the A.M.A. Committee of Cutaneous Health and Cosmetics. The conclusion was that ‘there is absolutely no evidence that vitamin E applied to the skin is in any way beneficial to that organ’. Furthermore, none of the various American manufacturers that were contacted by the Union could supply any controlled studies on the efficacy of vitamin E with skin disorders. At this stage, it is probably best to consider it as a vitamin searching for a disease to cure.

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THE G.I. FACTOR AND RISK OF HEART DISEASE: PREVENTING

admin — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:02:44 +0000

The G.I. factor is important in heart disease too. It has a role in the diets of people who already have heart disease, but perhaps of greater significance in the long term, it has a practical role in the prevention of heart disease.

Preventing heart disease: primary prevention. More and more people now get regular checks of their blood pressure, and tests to check for diabetes. Increasingly blood fat tests are done to check this risk factor too. All health professionals give lifestyle advice on stopping smoking, the benefits of exercise and the nature of a good diet. When specific risk factors are discovered, diet and lifestyle advice is given, but sometimes may not be followed for long. It is especially difficult to follow advice if the effect of not following it is likely not to matter for ten or more years, and if the changes needed are not attractive. The changes must be wanted by the individual who will be helped by encouragement from friends and relatives, and the changes must ideally be positive changes—’I want to do this’ not ‘They’ve told me to do this’. Any new dimension in heart disease prevention must be seen as a great positive change rather than as negative.

Treating heart disease and secondary prevention. When heart disease is detected two types of treatment are given. Firstly the effects of the disease are treated (e.g. medical treatment with drugs and surgical treatment to bypass blocked arteries) and, secondly, the risk factors are treated to slow down the further progression of the disease. Treatment of risk factors after the disease has already developed is ‘secondary prevention’. In people who have not yet developed the disease, treatment of risk factors is ‘primary prevention’. Obviously it would be better to give primary preventive treatment in all cases.

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