Posts

Showing posts from 2015

Spoiler Alert: Processed Meats and Sweets Aren't Healthy

Image
Posted on 11/19/2015  by  Healthy Living Blog  Just days before Halloween, foodies got bad news that was neither a trick nor a treat. The World Health Organization’s cancer agency, the   International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) , classified eating red meat – beef, veal, pork, lamb – as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” This new classification puts steak and pork chops in Group 2A, the   same group   as inorganic lead compounds and malaria. But, it gets worse. IARC’s   press release   also says processed meat is carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) and that one portion a day (one hot dog, or two slices of bacon) was linked to increased rates of colorectal cancer, as well as prostate and pancreatic cancer. “It’s pretty bad when a food lands in the same category as asbestos and tobacco in terms of its carcinogenic potential,” says   Kay Judge, M.D. opens new window , medical director for   Sutter Weight Management Institute   in Sacramento and internal medicine special

Five Ways to Prevent Digital Eye Strain

Image
Today, many people spend hours each day sitting in front of a computer screen. Once you get in the flow, you may not take a break for several hours. When you finally do turn away, your eyes may feel tired and perhaps your vision is a bit blurry. “Digital eye strain is increasingly common,” says   Marianne Ghatta, O.D.,   an optometrist with the   Palo Alto Medical Foundation.   “Many of my patients come in with eye strain and blurred vision, simply from staring at the computer for too long, too often.” Digital eye strain, sometimes called computer vision syndrome, can occur when you sit closely in front of a screen for two hours or more without taking a break. Symptoms can include eye strain or tiredness, blurred vision, headache, and neck or shoulder pain. Dry eyes cause most of the symptoms. Typically, we blink about 18 times a minute when we’re going about our day. Each blink releases a bit of moisture over our eyes. Our blink rate decreases when we’re staring at a screen,

Can We Grow Our Own Medicine?

Image
Believe it or not nature has supplied us with some very powerful tools for boosting our body's immune system.  One of the best ways to harness the healing potential of food is to grow it yourself, in your own garden. But, before you get discouraged, you do not need a green thumb to turn these six seeds into robust herbs and vegetables.  Important tip: To make the most out of their healing abilities, eat your produce whole, fresh, ripe and raw. 1. Garlic Packed with goodness:   This potent herb is anti-bacterial, antimicrobial and antifungal, and has been found to reduce inflammation too. Studies have also shown that garlic can reduce the risk of lung cancer, prostate cancer and osteoarthritis. According to preliminary findings, garlic may also lower cholesterol and blood pressure in people who suffer from hypertension. Use it to avoid the common cold . If you feel like you are getting sick, mince fresh garlic and let it sit for 15 minutes, then swallow it a

5 foods that fight high cholesterol

It's easy to eat your way to an alarmingly high cholesterol level. The reverse is true too — changing what you eat can lower your cholesterol and improve the armada of fats floating through your bloodstream. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and "good fats" are all part of a heart-healthy diet. But some foods are particularly good at helping bring down cholesterol. How? Some cholesterol-lowering foods deliver a good dose of soluble fiber, which binds cholesterol and its precursors in the digestive system and drags them out of the body before they get into circulation. Others provide polyunsaturated fats, which directly lower LDL, or "bad" cholesterol. And those with plant sterols and stanols keep the body from absorbing cholesterol. Here are 5 of those foods: Oats.   An easy way to start lowering cholesterol is to choose oatmeal or an oat-based cold cereal like Cheerios for breakfast. It gives you 1 to 2 grams of soluble fiber. Add a banana or som

Integrative Medicine: Treating the Whole Body

Image
Complementary medicine   is used together with mainstream medical care. An example, according to the National Institutes of Health, is using   acupuncture   to help with side effects of cancer treatment. When health care providers and facilities offer both types of care, it is called integrative medicine. Complementary medicine is growing in the U.S. Americans   spend about $34 billion annually   on treatments such as acupuncture and herbal supplements, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics. But do they work? Study results are mixed, but a few are standing up to the scrutiny. For example,   a 2012 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine   concluded that acupuncture is an effective treatment for chronic pain. While the scientific community debates efficacy and sorts out the evidence, some physicians are incorporating acupuncture, naturopathic healing, herbs, homeopathy   and integrative medicine into their Western pract

7 Natural Remedies That Help to Remove The Uric Acid That Causes Arthritis

Image
 Remedies That Help to Remove The Uric Acid That Causes Arthritis 2015-03-02T03:59:31+00:00 105 share Sharp uric acid crystals cause pain and inflammation in tissues. Some herbs do miracles when it comes to dissolving and eliminating uric acid crystals. In this article we suggest that you try these natural products and herbs to eliminate the uric acid known as the root-cause of arthritis. Apple Cider Vinegar In folk medicine apple cider vinegar is largely used in the treatment of sore joints. Regular application of this treatment results in retraction of the joints within a month. Soak a bandage or a piece of cloth in some apple cider vinegar and apply the compress on your swollen joints or varicose veins. Wrap well. Repeat the remedy every morning and evening. You can also dissolve 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a cup of lukewarm water and drink the liquid every day. Burdock Root This traditional herbal remedy is useful in the treatm