Health and Diet Blog

Shanat Kuphur asked:




Biting of nails is a sign of stress or anxiousness of your mind, commonly seen in the male category. A situation in which a person finds himself depressed and always worries about things, results in biting of nails. We normally use nail-biting habits to relieve the stress, where frustration is drawn on the nails. About 50% of children ageing from 10-18 pass through this stage. Approximately 23% bite nails from the age group of 18-22, and only 10% tend to bite their nails after the age of thirty. This habit of biting nails is a state of worry for anyone, be it a toddler or even a grown up person. This has something to do with the person’s distracted state of mind where he/she finds it difficult to avoid the nail biting habit.

It will take time for you to get rid of nail biting but nevertheless you will stop nail biting, but for this you require to choose for an effective treatment from the long list that states its achievement in conquering nail-biting habits. Nail biting is very harmful for a person’s health where he digs in all the dust and harmful bacteria from his nails and into the stomach this may lead to a stomach ache. All this has to do with our mind that is full of stress, frustration, anxiousness, anger and so on, which result in biting of nails.

Some people use nail-biting creams in order to avoid nail biting, which taste awful and are said to have side effects. Some use hand gloves, where as some try and cut there nails really short. Many people go to an extent where they fit a bite plate to make it impossible for them to bite nails, this might work to a certain extent but such a way might is uncomfortable and you might have damaged teeth in response to such an unreliable way of getting rid of nail biting habits. The ones who go to the extent of cutting their nails to its limits find themselves biting their finger skin instead of fingernails.

Instead of this try something that has all around success. Hypnosis is said to be an effective possible treatment you can get. Hypnosis is supposed to deal with your mind and not the external parts of your body unlike the other ways of treatment. As the nail-biting problem has nothing to do with your fingers and it is your mind that has all the stress and anxiousness that has made you bite your nails. Hypnosis dealing with your mind makes it concentrate on the positive things making it aware of what is good and what’s bad. However a hypnosis treatment can be received through the Internet where you can download the mp3 contents and use it in getting rid of nail biting habits. Hypnosis treatment can be done by you with a little bit of help from the mp3 downloads that will help relax your stressed and anxious mind that always resulted in biting fingernails. A little investment can get the best results that you had never dreamed about. The effects of this will be positive and instead of biting nails in tensed situations your mind will calmly find the solution for you.

Ravi Kuwadia asked:


Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be divided mainly into two categories – that can’t be controlled and those that can be delayed or controlled.

Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome of first category is gender, family history, health history, sensitivity level and age factors, and can’t be controlled. Some causes of second categories can be controlled with little care.

People with high BMI’s are more likely to suffer with IBS. Following IBS diet plans and doing regular workouts will help you in shedding extra weight and reducing IBS symptoms. Alcohol, chocolate, coffee, barley, caffeine, rye, soda, milk products, tea etc develop IBS. Foods causing gas can also develop bloating problems, so avoid gas-producing foods. Eating big meals a time is also one of the causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. So always prefer small meals.

Some specific types of medicines may also cause IBS. If you feel so, consult to your doctor immediately. Uncontrolled regular chronic stress causes colon spasms in IBS patients.

Our brain and intestine work closely being connected with nerve fiber system that controls the functioning of intestinal muscles. Though we may not control the effects of mental and physical stresses upon our bodily function but by changing our lifestyle, medication and yoga, we can conquer IBS related problems considerably. Some causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome associated with our lifestyle are high stress jobs, financial problems, excessive touring and regular family tensions etc. The are some dietary changes one can make to control the symptoms and causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diet plans don’t ask refraining of restaurant food or eating blended food. But these dietary plans tell you what kinds of foods may make bowels irritable casing various problems.

In your Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diet plan, always prefer to eat small meals and drink at least 8 – 10 glass of water daily. High protein diets with lean meats, eggs and fish etc help to relieve IBS symptoms. Eat high fibers diet. Some low residue diets beneficial in treating IBS are enriched white bread, buns, English muffins, plain cereals, cornflakes, wheat cream, arrowroot cookies, soda crackers, tea biscuits, applesauce, apricots, vegetable juices etc. Low fat diet helps to reduce contractions of intestines after taking meals. Peppermint is an anti-spasmodic and relaxes muscles of intestines but take it in a limited quantity.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diet plan don’t refrain you from taste, but these stresses taste with health. Caffeine, coffee, insoluble fiber food, food containing high fats and alcohol etc may develop IBS. Most of these foods adversely affect your gastro-intestinal system that causes the problems associated with constipation, bloating and gas and stresses. Avoid lactose based dairy foods. Avoid gas-producing foods containing broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, dried peas, cauliflower, lentils, chives, peppers and onions etc in you Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diet plan. Reduce the quantity of butter upon your sandwich. Prefer to have vegetarian pizza of single cheese spread instead of regular style pizza covered with extra toppings. Avoid carbonated drinks, full fat milk and chewing gum.

Dr. Paul Gross asked:




The title’s abuse of alliteration is meant to draw attention to an often ignored and misunderstood nutrient category with growing scientific evidence for significant health benefits. Fiber!

Most consumers associate fiber with bowel regularity, an important function of normal body physiology. We all know it’s healthy to be regular but there are more subtle and important roles fiber plays in our health and protection against disease.

Defining Insoluble and Soluble Fibers

Sources of dietary fiber are usually divided into categories of “insoluble” and “soluble” fibers. Both types are present in all plant foods, with varying degrees of each according to a plant’s characteristics. Insoluble refers to the inability to dissolve in water and soluble indicates a fiber source that would readily dissolve in water.

As you will soon see, those definitions are too limiting, especially because soluble fiber undergoes active metabolic processing via fermentation that yields end products with broad, significant health effects.

To conceptualize insoluble and soluble fibers, consider the segments of a plum (or prune). The plum skin is an example of an insoluble fiber source, whereas soluble fiber sources are inside the pulp. Other sources of insoluble fiber include: whole wheat, wheat or corn bran, flax seed lignans, and vegetables like carrots, celery, green beans and potato skins.

One of the most versatile sources of dietary fiber is the husk (hull) of seeds from psyllium grain (Plantago ovata), a fiber source with clinically demonstrated properties of lowering blood cholesterol when it is regularly included in a human diet. Psyllium seed husk is 34% insoluble fiber and 66% soluble fiber, providing an optimal division of both fiber types that make it a valuable food additive.

Fermentable Fiber

The American Association of Cereal Chemists defined soluble fiber this way:

“…[T]he edible parts of plants or similar carbohydrates resistant to digestion and absorption in the human small intestine with complete or partial fermentation in the large intestine”.

There are several key words in this statement that inspire analysis and comment for considering fermentable fiber. Let’s break it down.

• “…edible parts of plants…”

oThis phrase indicates that all parts of a plant we eat – skin, pulp, seeds, stems, leaves, roots – contain fiber. Both insoluble and soluble sources are in those plant components.

• “…carbohydrates…”

oComplex carbohydrates, such as long-chained sugars also called starch or polysaccharides, are excellent sources of soluble fiber.

• “…resistant to digestion and absorption in the human small intestine…”

o Foods providing nutrients are digested by enzymes and acids in the stomach and small intestine where the nutrients are released and then absorbed through the intestinal wall for transport via the blood throughout the body. A food resistant to this process is undigested, as both insoluble and soluble fibers are. They pass to the large intestine only affected by their absorption of (insoluble fiber) or dissolution in water (soluble fiber).

• “…complete or partial fermentation in the large intestine…”

o The large intestine is comprised mainly of a segment called the colon within which additional nutrient absorption occurs through the process of fermentation. Fermentation occurs by the action of colonic bacteria on the food mass, producing gases and short-chain fatty acids. It is these short-chain fatty acid—butyric, acetic, propionic, and valeric acids—that have such significant health properties.

Short-chain Fatty Acids

Short-chain fatty acids are absorbed through the intestinal wall into portal blood (from the intestine to the liver) that transports them into the general circulation. Particularly butyric acid has extensive physiological actions that promote health effects among which are:

o Stabilizing blood glucose levels by acting on pancreatic insulin release and liver control of glycogen breakdown

o Suppressing cholesterol synthesis by the liver, thereby reducing blood levels of low-density lipids (LDL cholesterol) and triglycerides responsible for atherosclerosis

o Lowering colonic pH (i.e., raise the acidity levels in the colon) which protects the colon lining from cancer polyp formation and increases absorption of minerals such as calcium, magnesium and iron

o Stimulating production of T helper cells, antibodies, leukocytes, splenocyte cytokines and lymph mechanisms having crucial roles in immune protection

o Increasing proliferation of colonic bacteria beneficial for intestinal health—bifidobacteria and lactobacilli (providing a probiotic value)

o Improving barrier properties of the colonic mucosal layer, inhibiting inflammatory and adhesion irritants

To summarize these effects, fermentable fibers yield the important short-chain fatty acids that affect blood glucose and lipid levels. They also improve the colonic environment and regulate immune responses.

Regulatory Guidance on Fiber Products

Americans and Canadians consume less than 50% of the dietary fiber levels required for good health. Recognizing the growing scientific evidence for physiological benefits of increased fiber intake, regulatory agencies such as the US FDA have given approvals to food products making health claims for fiber. In clinical trials to date, these fiber sources were shown to significantly reduce blood cholesterol levels and so are important to cardiovascular health.

The Soluble (fermentable) fiber sources gaining FDA approval are:

o Psyllium seed husk (7 grams per day)

o Beta-glucan from oat bran, whole oats, oatrim or rolled oats (3 grams per day)

o Beta-glucan from whole grain or dry-milled barley (3 grams per day)

Other examples of fermentable fiber sources used in functional foods and supplements include:

o Inulin

o Fructans

o Xanthan gum

o Cellulose

o Guar gum

o Oligofructose

o Oligo- or polysaccharides

Consistent intake of fermentable fiber through foods like berries and other fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, seeds and nuts is now known to reduce the risk of some of the world’s most prevalent diseases.

These diseases include:

o Obesity

o Diabetes

o High blood cholesterol

o Cardiovascular disease

o Numerous gastrointestinal disorders (constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis and colon cancer)

Reading

Fiber, Harvard School of Public Health, http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/fiber.html

Fiber Health Claims That Meet Significant Scientific Agreement, US Food and Drug Administration, http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/lab-ssa.html

Fiber 101: Soluble fiber vs. insoluble fiber, http://HealthCastle.com

http://www.healthcastle.com/fiber-solubleinsoluble.shtml

Higgins JA. Resistant starch: metabolic effects and potential health benefits. Journal of AOAC International 87:761-767, 2004.

Tungland BC, Meyer D. Nondigestible oligo- and polysaccharides (dietary fiber): their physiology and role in human health and food. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety 1:73-92, 2002.

Copyright 2006 Berry Health Inc.

Paula Thomas asked:




The suggestions I am about to share are not designed for individuals with serious or complicated health problems. Instead, consider this to be preventive maintenance for your body. There is no better time to start than right now. You should always consult with your medical professional relating to all health issues.

There are some tried and true remedies that worked effectively and efficiently years and years ago. Somehow, these got lost in the myriad of drugs and medications flooding the market to help people get a quick fix on their condition. Unfortunately, these so called quick fixes do not have a long lasting effect and could even make the problem worse or create new ones. I realize we live in a hurry up and wait society. But sometimes you have to do what is more beneficial for your body if you want it to continue functioning for you at a good speed. The way I see it, you can keep spending your hard earned dough on one pill bottle after another or get ready to save a lot. It is your choice.

Let us begin with the most deadly killer of all. Not only is it deadly but it is silent. There are no signs, symptoms, or warnings. It can sneak up on you without warning. It is high blood pressure or hypertension. If you are suffering from it or have relatives or friends that suffer from it, then you know the problems these individuals deal with on a deadly basis. In case you were wondering what causes high blood pressure it is when your heart works overtime to pump blood into your arteries. Some people are not even aware they have hypertension but if your blood pressure range is above 140/90 you could be pre hypertensive and should be evaluated. Left untreated, this condition can result in heart disease, stroke, or death. Ways of lessening your risks of developing high blood pressure are

*Change your diet and seriously reduce your salt intake

*Increase your calcium with skim milk, cheddar, dairy products

*Eat seafood like shrimp, tuna or mackerel

*Include fiber rich foods like whole grain breads, a potato with the skin on it

*Drink plenty of water

*Exercise

Depression is another condition that could be treated naturally, as long as we are not dealing with the more severe cases. A few tips to help relieve your depressed state naturally are

*Eat a sweet potato or a spinach salad

*Eat foods rich in Vitamin B like green peas or avocado. You can also include fruits and vegetables that are rich in B vitamins

*Consume meats rich in Vitamin B6 such as liver or chicken

*Include iron rich foods. Research indicates a deficiency in thiamin can also be a cause for depression.

Here are some helpful tips in treating and getting rid of headaches

*This is another area where you need to be careful of the type of foods you eat. Add magnesium rich foods like brown rice, green peas, potatoes, or broccoli

*Draw a hot steamy bath and then put an ice pack on your head. The variance in temperature will help blast that headache away

*Tie a bandana or scarf around your head above the brow

*Get an old clean sock and wet it, seal it up in a plastic sandwich bag, and put it in the freezer. When it gets frozen, use this as a frozen compress to stop a headache from progressing further.

Finally, if you want to relieve or eliminate stress in your life, begin by practicing deep breathing. People only use about a quarter of their breathing capacity daily. Get in the habit of taking deep breaths throughout the day and especially if you find yourself in a highly tense environment. Take a step back, slow down, and breathe deep. This not only relieves any anxiety you may be feeling but it also helps in lowering your blood pressure and preventing those unwanted headaches. On To Your Good Health.

Mike Dailey asked:




Alzheimers Prevention and Brain Health

First I want to assume that you are reading this because you are starting to worry just a little bit about your memory and the possibility of Alzheimers later in life.  You’re not the only one-there are 72 million baby boomers taking turns on line every day looking for information, help and hope for the Alzheimers prevention .  You may have noticed long time friends or people at work maybe your own spouse decline right before your eyes.  It’s more than a little scary knowing you could be there too; so we look for answers.

Brain fog is not necessarily an indication of Alzheimers, Age Associated Memory Impairment (AAMI) or any form of dementia.  But it is a good indication that your brain health needs attention.  It could be that any number of things or a combination of things could make all the difference; but it is up to you to take action.  Clearing up the brain fog could very well be the first step in Alzheimers prevention.

A recent study of baby boomers concluded that 62% share Alzheimers as their biggest fear of growing old.  Not heart disease, not heart attack, not stroke, not cancer but Alzheimers.  I found myself in that group.  I also discovered that among physicians, men and women who see more pain, suffering and disease than any other segment of the population, they would prefer anything to Alzheimers.

  

Alzheimers is characterized by elevated levels of beta-amyloid peptides that cause plaque to build up in the brain.  The plaque causes the neurons to shrivel and tangle (fibrillary tangle) which prevents the synapses from firing neurotransmitters to relay information through out the brain.

The increase in this disease among people under 65 is increasing at an alarming rate. Alzheimers prevention is the only course of action we can take at this point as there is no known cure for the disease.  

 

So do you bury your head in the sand and hope you get to dodge this bullet or do you take the necessary steps to be healthy and mentally alert your entire life?  The good news is that what you do to enhance and improve the most important organ in your body will enhance and improve your entire body. BUT if you think that this disease is just inevitable to some people keep your affairs in order it may become a self fulfilling prophecy.

  

If on the other hand you want to reduce your risk and increase energy, focus, concentration, memory and overall brain fitness here are several steps to take to make that happen.

First change your diet:  there are some foods that do so much to create and maintain brain health they have to be included in a brain healthy diet.  Eat whole grain foods that contain the bran, germ and endosperm.  Eat apples, yes; an apple a day does keep the doctor away.  Include more berries in your diet, all sorts, but the darker the better.

It also turns out that fish really is brain food you should eat fish 3 to 5 times per week; salmon, tuna, herring etc.  And remember the tough vegetables- cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Yes I know- you hate that kind of stuff- but you are an adult now and Alzheimers prevention is your objective.

On the other hand if you have been avoiding nuts because of the fat content you can quite worrying nuts are good for you, the right fat, good slow metabolism, they help you feel full.  Along with nuts include all kinds of dairy products but make them low fat when possible.

Eat more greens, the darker the better, spinach, turnip, kale etc.  Yes I know…. But remember who you are and what your objective is.  Add soy to your diet, it’s especially good for Alzheimers prevention.

Sweet potatoes, one of natures most perfect and complete foods over all, is particularly good for brain health.  So don’t save then for the Holidays; eat them often.

Beans and legumes, there are many varieties and they are all very good for you and good for your brain.  Tomatoes are another incredibly healthy fruit for over all health, especially the brain.

If for any reason a diet featuring these foods is difficult, consider a supplement.  Brite Age Health has a formula, scientifically proven, in a large double blind placebo controlled study, to enhance and improve brain health and brain function.  To reverse what we call life style assaults on the brain take Brite Smart ™ and to ensure you have enough brain specific nutrition take Brite Shield ™.  Available at www.britetest.com   Remember Alzheimers prevention is the only cure.

Mike Dailey

Darrell Miller asked:


If you think about how many prescription and over-the-counter heartburn medicines there are, you’d guess that everybody in American suffering from heartburn.

It is true. A Gallup Organization national survey discovered more than 60 million Americans experience heartburn symptoms every day. But, there is good news orange peel extract can work to relieve heartburn pain safely and effectively and without side effects. Many people tell about its great success in their lives.

What is heartburn?

Heartburn is the pain caused by the splashing up of fluids from the stomach into the esophagus. The stomach has a special lining to protect itself from the hydrochloric acid, the esophagus does not. At the bottom of the esophagus there is a circular muscle called lower esophageal sphincter (LES). When the LES opens to soon stomach acid travels from the stomach into the esophagus, this is what causes the burning pain.

What is the difference between heartburn and ulcers?

Stomach ulcers are sores usually caused by a bacterial infection or overuse of aspirin in the stomach. A stomach ulcer and heartburn are in the same family. They have mostly the same symptoms and treatments, and could eventually be a serious problem if left untreated.

What’s the difference between heartburn and GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease’s (GERD) symptom is continual heartburn throughout an entire week. GERD can be a very serious disease because the hydrochloric acid can wear away the esophagus lining and develop scar tissue. Scar tissue causes problems with trying to swallow. GERD also can help cause asthma, pneumonia, hoarseness, chronic cough, and the erosion of teeth. Recently, doctors have found that GERD can be the cause for cancer of the larynx and pharynx.

What causes heartburn?

There are many causes for heartburn. The esophagus has an important function to allow humans to swallow. When we swallow, small muscle fibers contract creating a movement called peristalsis. The slowing down of esophageal peristalsis happens with age and heartburn can develop.

Overeating can also cause heartburn, because the food has overfilled the stomach which allows acid to come up. The acids can also cause heartburn when bending over, lying down, or lifting heavy objects.

Foods can cause the discomfort of heartburn. Foods and beverages such as: chocolate, tomatoes, raw onions, citrus fruits, garlic vinegar, black pepper, citrus juices, caffeine, carbon, and alcohol. Smokers are also more prone to heartburn because it relaxes the LES which opens to let the acid out.

Who else is prone to developing heartburn?

There are three major types of people who are more apt to having heartburn. People who are overweight get heartburn because their fat adds pressure to the abdomen. Also pregnant women get heartburn because of their pressure on the abdomen from the baby. Doctors also say that a woman’s changing hormones can cause the muscle valve to relax. An overwhelming 25% of women have heartburn during their pregnancy.

Heartburn is also known to show up in people with hiatal hernias because in this condition, the stomach slides above the diaphragm, a thin muscle that keeps the stomach away from the chest. Food and the acid are now able to flow back into the esophagus, which causes heartburn.

What side effects do many heartburn medications have?

No medications can cure heartburn, but they can relieve the pain for a period of time. Some medications are known to impede some vitamins and calcium absorption, as well as interfere with digestion and stomach secretions.

Heartburn medications work for some people most of the time, but for some they lack a consistent relief. This allows for many people to switch brands to find the one that will work the best for their body.

Antacids use substances to neutralize stomach acid, but now the hydrochloric acid can not do its vital functions, like digesting food, inhibiting bacterial growth, and absorbing vitamins and nutrients. Also, when the acid is neutralized, our body reacts by creating even more, which would cause even greater heartburn. This cycle is known as “acid rebound.”

Antacids also have many side effects. Food poisoning is more apt to happening because bacteria can survive longer with the antacids.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) restrain the acid from creating. Actually, it practically shuts down the stomach’s ability to produce acid.

The most common heartburn medications, such as Nexium, Prilosec, and Prevacid are actually supposed to be used short-time, but people are using them as a long-term medication. Using the orange peel extract is a safe alternative because it has no side effects.

How does orange peel extract work?

Orange peel extract is being researched and there are several possibilities as to how it stops heartburn. Some believe that it helps food move through the stomach, forbidding food to stay in the esophagus for a long period of time. This minimizes the chance for heartburn. It can also work as a surfactant, which reduces the surface tension of a liquid and would decrease the potential for the hydrochloric acid to splash.

How much orange peel extract should I take?

It is recommended that 1,000 mg be taken every other day, which was used in the scientific studies. Look for a product with 98.5% purity of d-limonene, found in the orange peel extract.

How does orange peel extract cure heartburn?

Almost 90% of the participants in the studies said that their heartburn was happening less after two weeks and about one-third said that they had a resolution of the heartburn after about two days. Even better, participants said that although they stopped take the orange peel extract, two weeks after they hadn’t felt heartburn. On a scale of 1-10 (10= mild and 1= severe), the study participants had an average rating of 7.8 and two weeks after the end of taking the orange peel extract they stopped having any heartburn. Seldom, some people felt heartburn after eating the foods that they previously avoided, but a single orange peel extract pill solved the problem.

Is orange peel extract safe?

It is an all-natural product, which makes it safe for many people. You should always follow the directions on the bottle.

You shouldn’t take it if you are pregnant or nursing or if you have an ulcer. Ulcers will create a burning irritating sensation. Children shouldn’t be given the orange peel extract because it has not been tested on them yet. Orange peel extract has been used in cancer studies for many years, and scientists haven’t found any adverse effects.

Does orange peel extract affect cancer?

Research has discovered that orange peel extract has prevented cancer activity by inhibiting the way cancer cells divide and grow. Some cancers that the orange peel extract has prevented are breast, skin, liver, lung, pancreatic, colon, and stomach cancers, in laboratory studies.

One study had 32 cancer patients take the orange peel extract, and no toxicity was observed. Blood analysis revealed that the orange peel extract was absorbed in to their bodies very well. More research is needed on orange peel extract and cancer.

Some important last notes

Frequent heartburn could mean a more serious condition and if this is you, you should consult a professional health physician.

Conclusion

Heartburn can be very serious. It happens to millions of Americans who spend billions of dollars on medications. Orange peel extract is an inexpensive and safe way to relieve heartburn pain. Orange Peel Extract can be found at any health food store.