Health and Diet Blog

Janet Rusky asked:


People who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome try to alleviate the symptoms of this illness through different methods. Some turn to special herbs to try and stop the illness. Others may even try techniques such as hypnosis in order to relieve them of their sickness. It is sad to see, however, that not many people who have irritable bowel syndrome really consider going on a special diet. This may be due to a variety of reasons, one of which is the failure if a physician to give a plan of diet for irritable bowel syndrome to the patient.

Another dismaying fact is that today, there are a lot of bogus diets for irritable bowel syndrome. There are many people today who give and receive the wrong advice on diets for irritable bowel syndrome. This, of course, can lead to disastrous results. Why, you ask? Well, try to put yourself in the shoes of a person suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. You are suffering because of all the symptoms of this illness. You would do anything to alleviate your pain. “Anything” in this case includes following every bit of advice that you pick up from your environment.

Because of your desperation to rid yourself of this illness, you will try various suggested diets for irritable bowel syndrome. If, of course, the advice proves to be wrong, then you would only end up having worse symptoms. And that’s something that you do not want to happen.

One thing that you should know about irritable bowel syndrome is the fact that diet has a lot to do with it. Eating the right foods can definitely help ease the various manifestations of this illness in a person’s life. Many people say that every person should have his or her own diet for irritable bowel syndrome. They insist that personalized diets for irritable bowel syndrome sufferers are necessary to achieve freedom from this illness. And so people who want to find a solution pay a lot of money in order to have someone personalize a diet for their irritable bowel syndrome.

In fact, this is not really necessary. People who have irritable bowel syndrome may try to stick to one generic diet and still enjoy its benefits. Finding the proper diet for irritable bowel syndrome only requires understanding of these tips:

1. Think in categories, not in specifics – There is no specific food that triggers symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. This does not mean that you don’t have the power to control your illness. What you need to understand is that there are certain types of foods that will trigger your illness. You need to avoid these categories of foods:

a) Fatty

b) High in insoluble fiber

c) Coffee (both caffeinated and decaf)

d) Carbonated drinks

e) Alcohol

The proper diet for irritable bowel syndrome eliminates food that fall under these categories because of the fact that these foods will trigger the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

2. Substitute and diversify – Just because you are on a diet for irritable bowel syndrome does not mean that you should miss out on eating good food. Try to find substitute for the different foods that you need to eliminate. You should also try to vary your meals in order to avoid boredom with what you are eating. Remember that a diet for irritable bowel syndrome will help you only if you commit yourself to following it.

Dr John asked:


Medical results have revealed that an estimated twenty percent of people – worldwide – are affected by the ailment commonly known as heartburn on a once a week occurrence. Of those individuals afflicted with the maladies of occasional heartburn, there are a considerable number of individuals who suffer repeatedly with the ill effects of such ailment. Hence, with as such a wide spread commonality of this condition, it is most understandable that individuals afflicted are in search of effective home remedies for heartburn.

Heartburn is a symptomatically experienced and significant symptom associated with the condition commonly as well as clinically referred to as gastro esophageal reflux disease, also labeled as acid reflux disease. Medical terminology has classified the generally chronic condition, in abbreviated terms, as GERD. Associated symptoms with those afflicted with gastro esophageal reflux disease, or, GERD, include heartburn; chest pain associated upon lying down, particularly at night; mouth possessing a sour taste; coughing; hoarseness; sore throat; and wheezing. Such ailing symptomatic and associated afflictions that accompany gastro esophageal reflux disease prompt those suffering individuals to be in search of effective home remedies for heartburn.

As a prequel to the afflicted engaging amid home remedies for heartburn, it is advisable that they be diagnosed and evaluated as to confirming gastro esophageal reflux disease and its associated heartburn. In the event that an appropriate action of treatment is applied, gastro esophageal reflux disease can evolve into considerable complications, which can include conditions, such as Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal bleeding, esophagitis, strictures, as well as presented risks toward the potential of developing esophageal cancer. Individuals afflicted with gastro esophageal reflux disease, following endorsement from their respective physicians, can proceed toward seeking alternative modes in home remedies for heartburn.

As a precautionary measure among home remedies for heartburn it is extremely advisable to maintain a diary of sorts as to what foods and beverages that the afflicted individual having gastro esophageal reflux disease consumes, in order to determine those that initiate attacks of heartburn.

Food and beverages that generally initiate attacks of heartburn associated with those individuals afflicted with gastro esophageal reflux disease, as another preventative home remedies for heartburn, include alcoholic beverages, black pepper, carbonated beverages, chocolate, citrus fruits, citrus juice, coffee, fatty foods, garlic, peppermint, raw onions, spearmint, spicy foods and tomatoes.

Within the scope of preventative home remedies for heartburn, is the reported advice of not retiring to bed after eating. Individuals suffering from associated heartburn need a period of from three to four hours, in order for their respective systems to properly digest the last meal of the day.

Another, in the series of preventative home remedies for heartburn is the advice to eat smaller portions, to allow improved ease in digestion.

Yet, among further preventative home remedies for heartburn is the clinical advice for those chronic sufferers of related heartburn to modify their eating habits. Eating in a more relaxed setting will allow those of concern to focus on eating, with the concept to savor and enjoy the consumption of food and beverage. It is highly advisable to chew at a slower pace for increased digestion. Do not “inhale” food.

Topping the list of home remedies for heartburn is the reduction of stress. Statistics through such creditable sources reveal that fifty-eight of chronic suffers of heartburn lead a hectic lifestyle, to include work-related stress. Such combined stress accelerates the symptoms of heartburn. Stress impedes the stomach’s process of what is referred to as the emptying of the stomach, which, of course, can lead to aggravated heartburn.

For smokers who suffer from associated heartburn, among the list of home remedies for heartburn would be to cease the use of tobacco. Nicotine weakens the lower area of the esophageal sphincter, which is comprised of a grouping of muscles located at the bottom portion of the esophagus. When such muscles become fatigued, it shuts off the esophagus, which, in turn, impedes stomach acids contents from an entry into the esophagus.

Other measures amongst the variety of home remedies for heartburn include the drinking of a quarter cup of aloe vera juice twenty minutes prior to eating a meal, along with the consumption of marshmallows, as its textured properties will act as a lining and coating of the stomach, provided that the afflicted does not have diabetes, due to the sugar content.

The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center asked:


Water is a big part of constipation. Constipation, the absence of at least three bowel movements per week, often occurs when the colon, which is an avenue out of the body for waste, absorbs too much water from the bowels. And alongside factors like irritable bowel syndrome, laxative abuse, problems with the colon and rectum, dehydration is one of the major causes of constipation. Increasing the daily intake of fluids, like fruit juices and water, will add moisture to the colon, subsequently making bowel movements easier to pass again. Constipation may be in for more water works. In recent years, studies have emerged with the idea of pointing to the preceived health benefits affiliated with a irregularity treatment featuring hard water.

Constipation and the Role of Hard Water

Mineral water contains dissolved minerals, like salt, sulfur and certaing gasses (the good kind). In essence, mineral water is H2O in it’s most natural state- and you can just forget about that bitter pipe water taste. For generations, mineral water only had a home in bath-houses and springs, because of it’s perceived healing power.

Today, you can gulp mineral water down, rather than just use it for swimming around. It can be processed, or taken straight from the source. In either case, water made with minerals can be a magic potion of sorts, featuring lots of therapeutic value.

Characterized by a drying effect on the hair and skin, hard water describes H20 that contains a high concentration of dissolved minerals, like calcium and magnesium in particular. Not only is hard water not detrimental to your health, the buildup of minerals has been medically linked to lowering the risk of heart attack, high blood pressure, and providing potentially alleviating effects on the onset of constipation in the eighty-five percent of homes that have hard water. It is the combination of calcium and magnesium that can be pivotal in preventing constipation-when taken in the right quantities, of course.

Featuring a rich union of calcium and magnesium, hard water combats constipation by promoteing a clean colon, and a clean colon goes a long way in keeping the body regular. The revolutionizing Oxy-Powder colon cleansing supplement works just like hard water by producing a throughly cleansed clean that sends constipation packing and makes you feel better from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. The calcium relief in hard water kicks in by teaming up with excess bile and it’s resident fats to lather up a soap of sorts-this insoluble substance is emitted for the body during a movement of the bowels. This is the process that goes on to keep the colon clean.

The recommended daily dosage of hard water calcium for constipation relief is one thousand to one thousand five hundred milligrams. You’ll want to take between four hundred milligrams and six hundred milligrams of calcium at a time. In addition to alleviating the remnants of a battle with constipation, calcium can actually be a frequent constipation causer. And that’s where the unique union between calcium and magnesium in hard water proves pivotal. Combining at least five hundred to one thousand milligrams of magnesium with a constipation-curtailing combo of calcium.

While the calcium contained in hard water can be instrumental and giving constipation the old heave ho, some forms of calcium, like calcium in the carbonate form, for instance, will actually impede movement of the bowels. And taking calcium as a citrate can expose the body to antacids featuring aluminum contents. Perhaps the best form of calcium to intake comes in the gluconate, which is the form of calcium found in milk and veggies, aspartate, or orotate. These calcium forms can be asorbed easily for a person with a weakened digestive system.

How Often Should You Drink Hard Water?

Dare it be said….how about guzzling down a few glass of mineral water every day. After all, you need water to live, you might as well enjoy the filet mignon of liquid. Your kidneys will thank you for the much needed upgrade from spring and tap to nature’s promise. Practically every nation has it’s own brand of mineral water, most countries have several-unlike some of those other water, you’ll get a lot of variety here. And in terms of taste, hard and soft water have a lot in common.

And many come widely regarded. Take Alegeria, for example. This African nation sells eight brands of mineral water, including: Aman n’Rasrou Batna Ben Haroun El Goléa Ifri Sidi el Kebir Toudja Youkou. Now, that’s just a sprinkling of what some other countries are offering, including the good old US of A, with a whooping 175 brands of mineral water on the market for you daily enjoyment. Of course, some of the most famous mineral water calls the Swiss Alps home-just look at Evian.

Paul Courtney asked:


Is irritable bowel syndrome the scourge of modern society? It is most definitely one of the most often diagnosed digestive disorder and it is actually the most common condition of all seen by gastroenterologists worldwide. Modern medicine has not yet discovered the cause of irritable bowel syndrome but it is recognized that there are certain triggers and factors that are considered as being associated with the condition

These main factors are as follows:

1. Approximately half of all cases seem to occur after a major life changing event in the sufferer for example moving houses, changing jobs etc. when nervous tension seems to be at its highest.

2. Approximately 10-20 percent of sufferers report the occurrence of irritable bowel syndrome after contacting a severe bout of gastroenteritis where an infection in the stomach causes vomiting and diarrhea which seem to be the trigger for the disorder to flare up.

Alcohol and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

It cannot be said definitively that alcohol causes irritable bowel syndrome however it can quite easily contribute to it’s continuance. This is because alcohol is a very strong gastrointestinal irritant, and therefore will only result in making your symptoms even more heightened and increased.

Once you have contacted irritable bowel syndrome even a single alcoholic drink can bring on an attack. If you are a sufferer the best way to see if alcohol does aggravate your system is to stay off it for a while taking note of how your body reacts. IYou will probably note some improvement, should you wish to continue drinking, start off slowly don’t mix your drinks as you wont know what dring is causing the problem, whilst keeping a close watch on your bodies reaction. If the problem persists, then oyu have just got to stop all alcohol for as long as it takes to rid yourself of the irritable bowel syndrome.

Another area to watch is how you drink and what you drink. For example a glass of wine with your meal is not likely to agrivate your condition but consuming a few beers tends to bring on an attack. As consuming alcohol basically dehydrates your system it is a good idea to have a glass of water between drinks. For optimum hydration we should consume 8 pints of water per day . The dehydration caused by consuming alcohol has a definite affect on constipation and bloating suffered with irritable bowel syndrome.

As you can see alcohol and irritable bowel syndrome don’t go together well, this is only one step you should take to correct your condition. We are a product of what we eat and what we do, therefore it should be part of your treatment to correct your lifestyle. Firstly by cutting out all those fatty, sweet processed foods and go back to eating much more fresh fruit and vegetables and start a regular exercise regime, even if it is only walking for 30-60 minutes everyday. This combined with cutting back on your consumption of alcohol will definitely improve your overall health and your irritable bowel syndrome will subside and even disappear altogether.

Rachel Broune asked:




Ear ache is any ache or pain arising in the ear. It is an ache localized in the middle or inner ear. Technically ear ache may be called otalgia or otodynia. Otalgia is ear pain or an earache. Primary otalgia is from pain that originates inside the ear. Referred otalgia is from pain that originates from outside the ear. Earache is very common medical problem for both children and adults. The 2 most common conditions that cause earache are infection of the outer ear (otitis externa) and infection of the middle ear. The common causes of otitis externa are trapped moisture and minor injury to the ear canal. Otitis media is caused by bacteria growing in the middle ear behind the eardrum. It often follows a cold or upper respiratory tract infection.

Some of the home remedies for the treatment of ear ache are as follows:

Put a small piece of pealed garlic on a thin piece of gauze and stuck it in the ear for a few minutes. It relieves the pain while it is inside the ear.

Try using sweet oil you can get it at any drug store. Just put a few drops in and then put cotton in that ear.

Place a bottle of baby oil or mineral oil in a pan of hot (not boiling) water. Let the oil sit in the water until it becomes hot. Place a drop or two of oil in the ear. It will help lessen the pain.

Chew a wad of gum. I’m sure you’ve heard of people telling you to do so to help with pressure in the ears on plane flights.

Hydrogen peroxide and warm water mixture poured into the ear is a good home remedy. After that place a towel over the ear and let the mixture run out.

Pure lavender oil mixed with a carrier oil like almond oil. Eight drops each of lavender and teatree oil to 1/2 ounce carrier oil. Never put in ear just massage all around behind and down the side of neck.

Apply warm olive oil on a piece of cotton wool ,and put it into ear before going to bed. This usually done the trick.and didn’t need any medical intervention.

Garlic has many uses, and is an effective remedy for a variety of ailments. With its antibiotic, antifungal, and antiviral properties, garlic can treat many types of external earaches. In the early stage of an ear infection, or even periodically if you are prone to ear infections, place a few drops of garlic oil in the ear canal, the plug loosly with sterile cotton.

Spending too much time in the pool can lead to this ailment, caused when waterborne bacteria get trapped in your ear. To clear it up, put a few drops of a mixture of one part white vinegar and one part rubbing alcohol into your ear. Wait a few minutes, then tip your head and let the liquid trickle out. Repeat three times daily.

Don’t use ear candles when you are having an ear infection. That can cause a lot of pain and potential damage. Use the ear candle AFTER the infection to pull out all the gunk. An ear infection is caused by a clogged Eustachian tube, and an ear candle does nothing to pull out the liquid trapped behind the ear drum.

Michael Geary asked:




It’s not uncommon for the majority of people to think that egg whites are healthier for you than whole eggs. I’m going to show you here why that is a major false belief, and why whole eggs are MUCH better for you than egg whites.

I was on a vacation recently with some friends & one of my friends was cooking breakfast for the entire group. I went over to see what he was cooking and saw he was preparing a large batch of eggs.

Unfortunately, to my shock and horror, I noticed that he was cracking the eggs open and screening the egg whites into a bowl and throwing the egg yolks out down the drain. I asked him why the heck he was throwing out the egg yolks, and his reply was something of the sort…

“because I thought the egg yolks were horrible for you… all of the nasty fat and cholesterol is in the yolks I thought”.

And I replied something like, “you mean that’s where all of the nutrition is!”

This is a perfect example of how confused the majority of society is about nutrition. In a world full of food marketing misinformation and deception, somehow most people now mistakenly think that the egg yolk is the worst part of the egg, when in fact, the yolk is actually the HEALTHIEST portion of the egg!

By throwing out the yolk and only eating the egg whites, you are basically throwing out the most nutrient dense, vitamin and mineral loaded, antioxidant-rich portion of the egg. The egg yolks contain so many trace minerals, B-vitamins, vitamin A, choline, folate, lutein, & other powerful important nutrients… it is not even worth trying to list them all.

In fact, the egg whites are almost devoid of nutrition when compared to the egg yolk.

Even the protein in egg whites is not as powerful and bioavailable without the yolks to balance out the amino acid profile and make the protein more useful to your body. Not to even mention that the egg yolks from free range chickens are chock full of omega-3 fatty acids.

The egg yolks contain more than 90% of the phosphorus, calcium, zinc, iron, thiamin, B6, B12, folate, and panthothenic acid of the egg. In addition, the egg yolks contain the entire amount of the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K in the egg, as well as ALL of the essential fatty acids (EFAs).

And now the typical objection I get all the time when I say that the yolks are the most nutritious part of the egg…

“But Mike… I heard that whole eggs will skyrocket my cholesterol through the roof, and they are high in fat”

No, this is FALSE thinking!

First of all, when you eat a food that is high dietary cholesterol such as eggs, your body down-regulates it’s internal production of cholesterol to balance things out.

On the other hand, if you don’t eat enough cholesterol, your body simply produces more since cholesterol has many important functions in your body.

And here is where it gets even more interesting…

There are indications in scientific studies that eating whole eggs actually raises your good HDL cholesterol to a higher degree than LDL cholesterol, thereby improving your overall cholesterol ratio and blood chemistry.

And 3rd… high cholesterol is NOT a disease! Heart disease is a disease… but high cholesterol is NOT. Cholesterol is attacking the wrong problem… The real problem is the underlying internal inflammation that is signaling your body to deposit cholesterol as a healing agent. Attacking the root cause of the internal inflammation (smoking, stress, poor diet of refined sugars, trans fats, etc) is the real solution to heart disease… not trying to lower cholesterol.

And the fat argument is simply ridiculous… despite the popular erroneous belief, the fats in free range eggs are good for you and will actually help make you leaner via appetite control and hormonal balance.

So I hope we’ve established that whole eggs are not some evil food that will wreck your body… instead whole eggs are FAR superior to egg whites. Egg whites are basically just a processed food since you’ve messed up what nature intended.

Also, your normal super-market eggs from mass factory farms just do not compare nutritionally with organic free range eggs from healthy chickens that are allowed to roam freely and eat a more natural diet.

I recently compared eggs I bought at the grocery store with a batch of eggs I got at a farm stand where the chickens were free roaming and healthy.

Most people do not realize that there i s a major difference because they have never bought real eggs from healthy chickens… The eggs from the grocery store had thin weak shells and pale yellow yolks.

On the other hand, the eggs from the healthier free range chickens from the local farm had deep orange colored yolks and strong thick shells indicating much higher nutrition levels and carotenoids, and just a healthier egg in general.

So the next time a well-meaning but misinformed health or fitness professional tells you that egg whites are superior, you can quietly ignore their advice knowing that you understand the REAL deal about the nutritional supremacy of egg yolks.

One more interesting tidbit about eggs…

I read a study recently that compared groups of people that ate egg breakfasts versus groups of people that ate bagel or cereal based breakfasts. The results of the study showed that the egg eaters lost or maintained a healthier bodyweight, while the cereal/bagel eaters gained weight and had more body fat.

It was hypothesized that the egg eaters actually ate less calories during the remainder of the day because their appetite was more satisfied (from the healthy fats and quality protein) compared to the cereal & bagel eaters who would have been more prone to wild blood sugar swings and more frequent food cravings.