10 Proven Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one of the few foods that can be classified as a “superfood.” Its unique combination of fatty acids can have profound positive effects on health. This includes fat loss, better brain function and various other amazing benefits.

Here are the top 10 health benefits of coconut oil that have been experimentally confirmed in human studies.

1. Coconut Oil Contains a Unique Combination of Fatty Acids With Powerful Medicinal Properties

Coconut oil has been demonized in the past because it contains saturated fat. In fact, it is one of the richest sources of saturated fat known to man, with almost 90% of the fatty acids in it being saturated.

However, new data is showing that saturated fats are harmless. Many massive studies that include hundreds of thousands of people prove that the whole “artery-clogging” idea was a myth.

Additionally, coconut oil doesn’t contain your average run-of-the-mill saturated fats like you would find in cheese or steak. No, they contain so-called Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) – which are fatty acids of a medium length.

Most of the fatty acids in the diet are long-chain fatty acids, but the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil are metabolized differently. They go straight to the liver from the digestive tract, where they are used as a quick source energy or turned into so-called ketone bodies, which can have therapeutic effects on brain disorders like epilepsy and Alzheimer’s.

Bottom Line: Coconut oil contains a lot of medium chain triglycerides, which are metabolized differently and can have therapeutic effects on several brain disorders.

2. Populations That Eat a LOT of Coconut Are Among The Healthiest People on The Planet

Coconut is kind of an “exotic” food in the Western world, primarily consumed by health conscious people. However, in some parts of the world, coconut is a dietary staple that people have thrived on for many generations.

The best example of such a population is the Tokelauans, which live in the South Pacific. They eat over 60% of their calories from coconuts and are the biggest consumers of saturated fat in the world. These people are in excellent health, with no evidence of heart disease.

Another example of a population that eats a lot of coconut and remains in excellent health is the Kitavans.

Bottom Line: Plenty of populations around the world have thrived for multiple generations eating massive amounts of coconut.

3. Coconut Oil Can Increase Your Energy Expenditure, Helping You Burn More Fat

Obesity is currently one of the biggest health problems in the world. While some people think obesity is only a matter of calories, others (myself included) believe that the sources of those calories are critical too.

It is a fact that different foods affect our bodies and hormones in different ways. In this regard, a calorie is NOT a calorie.

The medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) in coconut oil can increase energy expenditure compared to the same amount of calories from longer chain fats. One study found that 15-30 grams of MCTs per day increased 24 hour energy expenditure by 5%, totaling about 120 calories per day.

Bottom Line: The medium chain triglycerides in the oil have been shown to increase 24 hour energy expenditure by as much as 5%, potentially leading to significant weight loss over the long term.

4. The Lauric Acid in Coconut Oil Can Kill Bacteria, Viruses and Fungi, Helping to Stave Off Infections

Almost 50% of the fatty acids in coconut oil are the 12-carbon Lauric Acid.

When coconut oil is enzymatically digested, it also forms a monoglyceride called monolaurin. Both lauric acid and monolaurin can kill harmful pathogens like bacteria, viruses and fungi.

For example, these substances have been shown to kill the bacteria Staphylococcus Aureus (a very dangerous pathogen) and the yeast Candida Albicans, a common source of yeast infections in humans.

Bottom Line: The fatty acids and breakdown products in coconut oil can kill harmful pathogens, potentially helping to prevent infections.

5. Coconut Oil Can Kill Your Hunger, Making You Eat Less Without Even Trying

One interesting feature of coconut oil is that it can reduce your hunger.

This may be related to the way the fatty acids in it are metabolized, because ketone bodies can have an appetite reducing effect. In one study, varying amounts of medium and long chain triglycerides were fed to 6 healthy men. The men eating the most MCTs ate 256 fewer calories per day, on average.

Another study in 14 healthy men discovered that those who ate the most MCTs at breakfast ate significantly fewer calories at lunch.

These studies were small and only done for a short period of time. If this effect were to persist over the long term, it could have a dramatic influence on body weight over a period of several years.

Bottom Line: The fatty acids in coconut oil can significantly reduce appetite, which may positively affect body weight over the long term.

6. The Fatty Acids in the Oil Are Turned into Ketones, Which Can Reduce Seizures

A so-called ketogenic (very low carb, very high fat) diet is currently being studied to treat various disorders. The best known therapeutic application of this diet is treating drug-resistant epilepsy in children.

This diet involves eating very little carbohydrates and large amounts of fat, leading to greatly increased concentrations of ketone bodies in the blood.

For some reason, this diet can dramatically reduce the rate of seizures in epileptic children, even those who haven’t had success with multiple different types of drugs. Because the MCTs in coconut oil get shipped to the liver and turned into ketone bodies, they are often used in epileptic patients to induce ketosis while allowing for a bit more carbs in the diet.

Bottom Line: The MCTs in coconut oil can increase blood concentration of ketone bodies, which can help reduce seizures in epileptic children.

7. Coconut Oil Can Improve Blood Cholesterol Levels and May Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease

Coconut oil is loaded with saturated fats, which actually do not harm the blood lipid profile like previously thought. Saturated fats raise HDL (the good) cholesterol and change the LDL cholesterol to a benign subtype.

In one study in 40 women, coconut oil reduced Total and LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL compared to soybean oil.

There are also rat studies showing that coconut oil reduces triglycerides, total and LDL cholesterol, increases HDL and improves blood coagulation factors and antioxidant status.

This improvement in cardiovascular risk factors should theoretically lead to a reduced risk of heart disease over the long term.

Bottom Line: Studies in both humans and rats show that coconut oil improves important risk factors like Total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, which may translate to a reduced risk of heart disease.

8. Coconut Oil Can Protect Hair Against Damage, Moisturize Skin and Function as Sunscreen

Coconut oil can serve various purposes that have nothing to do with eating it. Many people are using it for cosmetic purposes and to improve the health and appearance of their skin and hair.

Studies on individuals with dry skin show that coconut oil can improve the moisture and lipid content of the skin.

Coconut oil can also be very protective against hair damage and one study shows effectiveness as sunscreen, blocking about 20% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

Another application is using it like mouthwash in a process called oil pulling, which can kill some of the harmful bacteria in the mouth, improve dental health and reduce bad breath.

Bottom Line: Coconut oil can be applied topically as well, studies showing it to be effective as a skin moisturizer and protecting against hair damage. It can also be used as a mild form of sunscreen and as mouthwash.

9. The Fatty Acids in Coconut Oil Can Boost Brain Function in Alzheimer’s Patients

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia worldwide and occurs primarily in elderly individuals. In Alzheimer’s patients, there appears to be a reduced ability to use glucose for energy in certain parts of the brain.

Ketone bodies can supply energy for the brain and researchers have speculated that ketones can provide an alternative energy source for these malfunctioning cells and reduce symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

In one 2006 study, consumption of medium chain triglycerides led to immediate improvement in brain function in patients with milder forms of Alzheimer’s.

Other studies support these findings and medium chain triglycerides are being intensively studied as potential therapeutic agents in Alzheimer’s disease.

Bottom Line: Studies show that the fatty acids in coconut oil can increase blood levels of ketone bodies, supplying energy for the brain cells of Alzheimer’s patients and relieving symptoms.

10. Coconut Oil Can Help You Lose Fat, Especially The Dangerous Fat in Your Abdominal Cavity

Given that coconut oil can reduce appetite and increase fat burning, it makes sense that it can also help you lose weight. Coconut oil appears to be especially effective in reducing abdominal fat, which lodges in the abdominal cavity and around organs. This is the most dangerous fat of all and is highly associated with many Western diseases.

Waist circumference is easily measured and is a great marker for the amount of fat in the abdominal cavity. A study in 40 women with abdominal obesity, supplementing with 30 mL (1 ounce) of coconut oil per day lead to a significant reduction in both BMI and waist circumference in a period of 12 weeks.

Another study in 20 obese males noted a reduction in waist circumference of 2.86 cm (1.1 inches) after 4 weeks of 30 mL (1 ounce) of coconut oil per day.

This number may not seem too impressive on the surface, but be aware that these people aren’t adding exercise or restricting calories. They’re losing significant amounts of abdominal fat simply by adding coconut oil to their diet.

Anything Else?

If you want to enjoy the health benefits outlined in the article, then you must get organic, virgin coconut oil… NOT the refined stuff.

This Article was republished with permission from Authority Nutrition.

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10 Facts About Alzheimer’s Disease

Researchers learn more and more about Alzheimer’s every year, and some of the statistics are staggering indeed.

The Alzheimer’s Association publishes an annual report detailing the complications and costs of the disease to caregivers and the health care system, and we’ve pulled out 10 of the latest facts about Alzheimer’s that you will want to know.

1. Half of adults aged 85 and over have Alzheimer’s.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s Facts and Figures report, an estimated 45% of American seniors 85 and older suffer from Alzheimer’s, and one in eight people aged 65 and over (13%) has Alzheimer’s disease.  It is the most common cause of dementia among older adults.

2. More than half of the 5.4 million Americans with the disease may not know they have it.
In part because of the difficulty with detecting early-stage Alzheimer’s or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), many of those with the disease remain undiagnosed. With research and time, our ability to detect early-stage Alzheimer’s continues to improve, though it will increase the overall number of people known to have the disease.

3. More women have the disease.
The Alzheimer’s Association reports that nearly two-thirds of Americans suffering from Alzheimer’s are women. However, it is important to note that this does not mean there is a gender-based predisposition for the disease; the primary reason for this statistic is that women generally live longer than men.

4. Symptoms of the disease can develop in people as young as age 30.
We may think of Alzheimer’s as a disease of the elderly, but up to 5% of Americans with who have the disease (around 200,000) have the early-onset variety, which can start to show symptoms as early as one’s 30s. Though the cause still isn’t well understood, some of these cases have a genetic component.

5. The incidence of Alzheimer’s will increase to every 33 seconds by 2050.
The rate at which Alzheimer’s occurs — every 66 seconds in the U.S. — is projected to double by 2050 because of the growing population of people over age 65. The number of people who live into their 80s and 90s is also expected to grow, and the likelihood of the disease increases with more advanced age.

6. The disease is the 6th-leading cause of death in the U.S.
“Alzheimer’s is becoming a more common cause of death as the populations of the U.S. and other countries age,” reports the Alzheimer’s Association. In part, this is because we are experiencing more success in reducing the rate of death from other causes such as heart disease, while the rate of death from Alzheimer’s continues to increase.

7. There are over 15 million American caregivers for someone with some form of dementia.
Family caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients provide a whopping 80% of the care at home, while a mere 10% of seniors receive all their care from paid health professionals. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, most (70%) of those caregivers are women.

8. There is an increased likelihood of depression, emotional stress and financial problems among caregivers for those with the disease.
The communication difficulties and personality changes of those who suffer can place incredible strain on caregivers. “The close relationship between the caregiver and the impaired person — a relationship involving shared emotions, experiences and memories — may particularly place caregivers at risk for psychological and physical illness.” (Facts and Figures) Therapeutic and social support are shown to reduce this risk.

9. The total cost of health and long term care services for Alzheimer’s is $259 billion.
Over $56 billion of that amount was paid out of pocket. About $175 billion, or roughly 70%, was paid by Medicare and Medicaid. Medicaid coverage is particularly important for those Medicare beneficiaries who have very low income and assets but who need long-term care or skilled nursing.

10. There are an estimated 800,000 Americans with the disease living alone.
For all of those who sufferer from the disease who are receiving support from family caregivers or who are living in an Alzheimer’s or dementia care facility, as many as 15% of people with the disease still live alone. Many of those have no identified caregiver, a situation which puts them at greater risk of medical emergencies, poor self-care, social isolation and a range of other issues.

All data from the Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures report.

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How to Manage Mood Swings Naturally

Most people suffer with mood swings from time to time, and they can become particularly troublesome for women between the onset of menstruation and the culmination of menopause.

That being said, there are ways that you can treat these abrupt and often uncontrollable sudden changes in mood that can result in irritability, depression, fatigue, and insomnia without the use of highly addictive prescription medication.

From changing your diet, to increasing the amount of physical activity you do, to herbs and supplements that can fight off depression and help boost your mood, keep reading to find out how you can naturally manage your mood swings and enjoy a calmer way of life.

Use lavender oil

A very popular essential oil, lavender is renowned for its calming properties and is therefore the perfect antidote for your mood swings. Lavender is also known to reduce anxiety, combat depression, and even to improve symptoms of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).

If you know when your mood swings are most likely to strike, simply dab a few drops of lavender oil onto a pillow, or dilute the oil and dab on your chest, neck, or back to help instantly calm you down.

If you think your child may be suffering with more than just the usual teenage mood swings and you suspect that they have a mood disorder, looking into juvenile residential treatment centers that specializes in teenage mental health issues can be a good idea.

Get the right vitamins and minerals

If you didn’t already know, vitamins and minerals play a crucial role in the balance of hormones in your body, with a deficiency in key nutrients having the ability to exacerbate your mood swings.

The most important vitamins and minerals for controlling mood swings are magnesium, zinc, and iron as these help your muscles to relax. Vitamins B5, B6, and B12 are also crucial as they affect the nervous system by reducing stress.

Look for a daily complex multi-vitamin, as well as a B-complex supplement, both of which will help to reduce the number of mood swings that you experience on a monthly basis.

Eliminate bad-mood foods

The food you eat on a daily basis can have a huge effect on your mood, with certain foods being known to leave you feeling rubbish. In fact, certain ultra-processed food such as frozen TV dinners, take-outs, and processed meats have been linked to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Instead, aim to consume mood-boosting foods such as peas, beans, and lentils that can help raise your serotonin levels, as well as vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, and pumpkin that aid liver function, and in turn, ward off mood swings.

Partake in regular exercise

If you are feeling hormonal or in a bad mood, exercise may not sound like the ideal activity, but it is actually one the best natural mood boosters. Furthermore, it can help to lower your blood pressure, reduce feelings of stress, and help aid weight loss.

If you do not feel up to a run in the park, yoga and swimming are great alternatives and are also more relaxing forms of excerice.

Another good idea is to treat yourself to a massage after exercise as this practice can aid relaxation and better equip your body and mind to deal with sudden changes in your mood.

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10 Important Warning Signs that Your Dog Is Stressed

It is often said that dogs are a man’s best friend, and while this is usually true, one of the hard things about our relationships with them is that they cannot easily communicate their feelings to us.

This means that when they struggle with stress and anxiety, we have to be careful to pick up on the signs they exhibit if we are to help them cope.

There are several warning signs to look for that may suggest your dog is stressed. Some of them are contained in this article.

1. Body Language

Dogs primarily communicate through body language so, studying your dog’s body language can help you identify when they are anxious. Subtle anxiety signs may include lip-licking, drooling, lifting of paws, whale eye (showing white of eyes), tucked ears or tails, and eye contact avoidance.

2. Growling

Growling means your dog is experiencing some form of discomfort. It shows that they may have been hurt, or they feel threatened. Either ways, something is stressing them out, and anxiety might be the culprit.

3. Whining or Barking

These are automatic responses that dogs may not always be able to control. When a dog whines or barks persistently, chances are that they are trying to communicate about something in the environment that’s causing them anxiety.

4. Pacing

If you observe that your furry friend keeps pacing back and forth in a straight line or going around in cycles, refusing to settle down, this is a strong sign that they are feeling anxious.

5. Freezing

Dogs suddenly freezing or becoming stiff is usually a warning sign that they cannot handle a stressful situation. This is similar to the shock reaction seen in humans where they shut down completely on exposure to dangerous situations.

6. Cowering

When dogs feel anxious, they may seem unusually withdrawn and can be found shivering or hiding at corners of the house. This is especially seen in dogs triggered by loud noises, e.g., from thunderstorms or fireworks. Cowering and other causes can trigger other withdrawal behavior. To be sure, visit ceebeedoo.com for the detailed guide.

7. Not Eating

Refusing food could be due to an upset stomach, but it could also be a warning sign of dogs’ anxiety, especially in dogs who previously had a great appetite.

8. Self- Harm

Anxious dogs may become extremely restless and attempt to escape even through locked doors and windows. This could lead to injuries such as damaged nails and wounded paws from breaking through glass or wood. Excessive licking and biting themselves is also common.

9. Frequent Urination

Anxious dogs often work themselves up to the extent that they can’t help but urinate over and over again, sometimes even in the house, even though they have already been housebroken.

10. Aggression

When dogs display hostile or destructive behaviors towards humans and other animals, it could be a warning sign of anxiety. Dogs may transition from being reactive in a situation that stresses them out to be aggressive, as a form of self-defense if they are pushed too far.

If you determine that your dog has anxiety issues, the next step would be to isolate the trigger. That way, it would be possible to eliminate or manage it. In severe cases, you should also consider getting professional help.

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3 Bee Products That Promote, Bone, Blood, Skin and Brain Health

Kathleen Miller, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, opened the bee box and with long-handled tweezers, removed a buzzing bee. She softly pressed its hind end on her knee. The bee stung her. At the time, says Miller, “I thought, This is wacko—plus, I’m killing an animal I love. What am I doing?”

But what she was doing was apitherapy, a form of medicine people in Egypt, Greece, and China have practiced for more than 5,000 years. Apitherapy uses bee venom, as well as pollen, honey, and other hive products, to prevent or treat illness and injuries. “Globally, it’s a huge system of medicine, especially in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America, where even many MDs sting their patients,” says Frederique Keller, LAc, apitherapist, acupuncturist, and president of the American Apitherapy Society (AAS), headquartered in Centerport, New York. “The United States is way behind.” Here, although apitherapists can get “certificates of knowledge” by attending the AAS Charles Mraz Apitherapy Course and Conference, no formal certification or sanctioning exists, much like homeopathy.

But that’s changing, says Keller, with a growing number of physicians, acupuncturists, and everyday people embracing apitherapy as a treatment for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, shingles, tendonitis, gout, carpal tunnel syndrome, Lou Gehrig’s disease, fibromyalgia, painful scars and burns, multiple sclerosis (MS), and Lyme disease. With venom therapy, you can either go to an apitherapist—who will use live bees or injectable bee venom (only doctors can perform the latter)—or do it yourself after learning the techniques.

Miller, 59, turned to bee venom, which has strong anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, for an arthritic and damaged knee. A world-class marathon runner in the ’80s, she placed fifth at the 1980 Boston Marathon. The pavement pounding pulverized her right knee, however, and in 1990, she tore the cartilage in the already weakened knee while rock climbing. She underwent surgery almost immediately and was running a month later. But in 1991, she tore cartilage again, this time while swimming. Once more, Miller had surgery, “completely unsuccessfully,” she says. For whatever reason, “my knee stayed in a postoperative condition: incredibly red, hot, swollen, and painful.” A pediatric nurse practitioner, she would immediately dive for a chair to take a patient’s history. At parties, standing around chatting tortured her. And every day, from 1992 to 1996, she took the maximum dosage of ibuprofen or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with little relief. She tried a third surgery, as well as acupuncture and myofascial relief techniques. No luck. “Those years were miserable,” says Miller. “I was begging for a knee replacement even though I was only 47 years old.”

Sting Operation

In spring 1996, Miller read about a farmer whose rheumatoid arthritis was cured when he put on his pajamas and was stung by a bee hiding in the pant leg. Her hopes raised, she began researching apitherapy and, in October, ordered a “bee box” (which contains dozens of bees and candy paste for them to eat) from Vermont. She stung herself and, slightly aghast, flung the bee across the patio. “I didn’t know then that the most humane thing to do is to smoosh them right away; otherwise it will take a couple hours for them to die,” Miller says. “The saddest thing was that she immediately flew to the box where the other bees were to be with her sisters.” She collected her wits and gathered the bee to end its suffering.

Over the next two days, her knee ballooned up, fiery red. “I was alarmed, but I couldn’t very well go to the ER and say, ‘Hey, I just stung myself with a bee. Can you help me?’” In reality, Miller’s reaction to the sting was ideal, says Keller: “It meant her immune system was rallying.” If people have a more seriously depressed or malfunctioning immune system than Miller’s, they may require multiple stings before it responds. For example, patients with MS (an autoimmune disease that attacks the nerves) may face six months of stinging before the sting causes the body to react at all. “When it does,” says Keller, “I get excited because it means the patient may respond positively to treatment.”

One big caveat, though: You have to watch for an allergic reaction. Although less than 1 percent of the population is allergic to bee venom, in those people, a sting can cause anaphylactic shock and even death. One of the first rules of apitherapy is to have an EpiPen (containing epinephrine) nearby and know how to use it at the first signs of throat constriction or difficulty breathing.

In Miller’s case, after two days, the swelling subsided—and her knee was one-third smaller than it had been in four years. “For the first time, the ‘heat’ in the knee was gone, too,” she says.

A Closer Look

The idea of intentionally stinging yourself “isn’t that far-fetched,” says Keller, “considering how many drugs have been developed from insect and snake venoms.” Still, the mechanism by which bee venom heals you remains somewhat mysterious. Although numerous compounds play a part, researchers have identified three important ones: melittin, adolapin, and apamin. One hundred times stronger than cortisone, melittin turns off several pro-inflammatory genes in the cells. It also increases production of the body’s own corticosteroids. Meanwhile, adolapin triggers the release of pain- blocking opiates. And apamin appears to enhance nerve conduction, dopamine production, and motor activity. That may explain why bee venom helps people with MS: The apamin may protect their nerve cells from damage. Most importantly, says Keller, the venom as a whole “stimulates and rebalances the immune system.” Just as you might pinch someone who’s drowsing off, the sting “wakes up” the immune cells, and as your body rallies itself to heal the sting, it heals your other ailments as well.

The location of the sting definitely matters, however. Most apitherapy users sting where the pain occurs and along the spine (to stimulate flow of blood and neurotransmitters). Practitioners also are discovering that stinging at acupuncture points gives your body an added boost by opening qi channels, says Keller.

The number of stings you get, and how often you get them, varies with each person. Someone with tennis elbow, for example, might just need two stings a week for three weeks, while someone with Lyme disease might need sessions three times a week, with 10-plus stings at each session, for six months or more.

The very nature of bee venom makes standardized studies difficult, but not impossible. And more and more research gets underway every year. In a 2004 study in Arthritis & Rheumatism, South Korean researchers gave rats with advanced rheumatoid arthritis low doses of bee venom. The treatment dramatically reduced swelling and bone spurs.

More exciting still, investigations with cell cultures show that venom primes the immune system to kill cancer cells. Since cancer cells have different characteristics than healthy cells, your immune system can normally recognize them and weed them out. The bee venom spurs a lagging immune system into action, so it better identifies and destroys these aberrant cells.

Recently, researchers at Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, completed a study of MS patients receiving bee venom injections. The positive results and amelioration of symptoms prompted researchers to call for larger controlled studies.

For Miller, however, the proof lies in her new life. After that initial sting, she continued stinging herself three times a week. After a month or two, she could once again swim, hike, lift weights, and garden. After 15 months, she “took a leap of faith,” trusting she was healed, and cut back to only a maintenance sting every few months. Keller has seen similar improvements with her patients during her 20 years of using apitherapy. “When you think about how much the honeybee gives us—both therapeutically and by pollinating almost one-third of our food,” she says, “you understand that bees really are our food and our medicine.”

Zen and the Art of Beekeeping

Many apitherapists are also beekeepers, since tending a hive lets them give back to the bees. “It’s a way for me to nurture them in return,” says Kathleen Miller, who has 14 hives on her 1.5-acre lot outside Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The beekeeper-bee relationship. A growing number of people want to revamp this altogether. Corwin Bell, in Eldorado Canyon, Colorado, teaches classes on how to care for hives in a more sustainable, nurturing manner: without using pesticides; without stressing the bees by intruding into the hive excessively; and without taking too much of their honey. Bell has developed such a meditative and attentive approach that when he approaches a hive, he doesn’t need to wear a bee suit. Instead, he can tell by the bees’ pitch if they’re upset by his approach. He uses the term bee guardian rather than beekeeper because “that’s what the bees need right now.” According to Bell, “Bees need people to protect them from pesticides, diseases, and the large-scale commercial practices that are threatening the hives’ survival.”

The A, Bee, Cs of Apitherapy

Venom therapy represents just one form of apitherapy. Other bee products have potent healing properties as well. Here’s the rundown:

HONEY: With its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and immune-stimulating properties, honey can help treat third- and fourth-degree burns when applied topically, according to extensive clinical research. It also relieves coughs and the flu when eaten. Be sure, however, to use raw honey and not pasteurized and, thus, inert varieties.

POLLEN: Pollen contains all the essential amino acids as well as disease-fighting antioxidants, says Frederique Keller of the American Apitherapy Society. It helps regulate appetite, reduce allergies, and increase energy. The fresher the pollen, the better, so try to buy local, nonpasteurized pollen. Mix one gram into food and drinks.

PROPOLIS: Bees make propolis from tree resin and use it as an antiseptic “glue” to seal the hive and protect it from infections. Often taken in tablets or tinctures, propolis has antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, making it a good choice for treating colds, the fl u, wounds, yeast infections, hemorrhoids, and fungal infections. “New research has come out showing it has strong antitumor activity as well,” says Keller. “I have all my patients with cancer taking 16 grams of propolis a day.”

ROYAL JELLY: This is the food of the queen bees, who live for up to five years, compared to the four to six weeks of a worker bee. Secreted from the mandibular glands of the worker bee, this elixir promotes youthfulness, fertility, and rejuvenation, says Keller. It also helps build and maintain bone, blood, skin, and brain cells. “All women older than 40 should be taking 3,000 mg a day,” Keller says. The downside: Royal jelly costs more than other beehive products because it’s the most difficult to collect. You can also buy fresh royal jelly, though it’s more perishable.

For more info, go to the American Apitherapy Society’s website, www.apitherapy.org.

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12 overlooked uses of raw honey

The healing powers of raw honey have been around for centuries; going as far back as Cleopatra’s reign over Egypt. Cleopatra was said to soak in milk and honey to improve her skin and the Egyptians used honey not only as an offering, but for wounds and an embalming fluid.

Today, honey is used for far more practical reasons. Research has shown that honey’s active phytonutrients, antibacterial and antifungal properties contribute to an array of health benefits you can enjoy.

However, honey is not for everyone. You should avoid giving honey, directly from the bottle, to your infant (foods containing small amounts of honey are ok). Raw honey, when given to infants, runs the risk of botulism. Infant’s immune systems are not strong enough to fight off the infection. Additionally, because honey comes from bees, people allergic to bees may experience adverse or allergic reactions to honey depending on their sensitivity to bees.

Below are some of the ways you can use raw honey to improve your health and beauty!

Suppress your cough

Honey can be used to soothe your throat and suppress your cough. Studies have shown honey works as well as or better than most over-the-counter cough syrups when it comes to soothing your throat and suppressing your cough. Honey works in two ways to soothe your throat and suppress your cough. First, honey’s thick consistency allows it to coat your throat to stop irritation. Second, honey’s sweet taste is said to suppress the impulse to cough by triggering certain nerves in your throat.

Antibacterial

Studies have shown honey does reduce or even stop the growth of food-borne pathogens. It has also been shown to fight bacteria, such as staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa. It is important to make note that the darker the honey you purchase the better the antibacterial properties the honey contains .

Helps heal wounds

Since honey works as an antibacterial, applying a thin layer of honey to a minor wound helps sterilize the wound. This can help reduce scabbing and allow the wound to heal smoothly. The antibacterial properties are activated when the honey is exposed to oxygen, which helps activate an enzyme that forms hydrogen peroxide, resulting in anti-bacterial capabilities. In addition to antibacterial properties, honey works as an anti-inflammatory. The anti-inflammatory properties help heal, soothe and hydrate the skin to increase cell reproduction and heal your wound. Make sure that when you use honey to treat a wound it is raw honey and it is only being used to treat minor wounds.

Soothes burns

The anti-inflammatory properties in honey also help soothe burns. Not only will honey help heal and clean the burn from bacteria, but it can help reduce the stinging sensation from the burn. In addition to regular burns, honey can be used to help heal and soothe sunburns. Honey helps restore hydration to the deepest layers of your skin. Honey’s powerful anti-inflammatory properties help to calm sun burned skin and aid recovery.

Relieve a hangover

Honey contains high amounts of fructose, which will help speed up your body’s metabolism of alcohol. Adding a small amount of honey to your morning toast or tea will help your body rid itself of your hangover.

Sleep Aid

If you ever have trouble falling asleep at night or staying asleep throughout the night, honey can help give you that better night’s sleep. Honey is said to help you sleep in two different ways. First, honey can help reset hormones and reduce stress that may be causing you to stay awake or wake up in the middle of the night. Second, honey helps facilitate the action of tryptophan, which is known to cause people to feel sleepy.

Relax in your tub

Honey’s antioxidant, antibacterial, hydrating, and moisturizing properties make it an ideal addition to your bath. These properties will help heal and condition your skin, relax your body and is something that smells good too!

Better energy

Honey contains higher amounts of natural sugars and glucose that naturally give the body more energy. These natural sugars and glucose give you a better, healthier and longer boost in energy that can help get you through the day or give you the extra boost you need to finish your workout!

Moisturize dry and damages skin

Honey is a humectant, which means it draws moisture from the air and traps and seals that moisture onto your skin. This makes it ideal to apply to dry, cracked skin. Apply a small amount of honey to your dry, cracked skin or lips and the honey will essentially “suck” moisture into your skin, helping to relieve the dryness and heal the cracks.

Facial treatments

Acne. In addition to honey’s antibacterial properties, it contains antifungal properties that together help reduce bacteria on your face that can lead to acne. The anti-inflammatory properties of honey help reduce redness and irritation that acne can cause.

Exfoliator. Honey contains high amounts of antioxidants, enzymes and other nutrients to help clean, nourish and hydrate your skin. (For a quick homemade exfoliator try mixing 2 tablespoons of honey with one tablespoon of baking soda).

Cleanse your pores. Honey contains enzymes that help deeply cleanse your pores. The enzymes help clean, clear out and nourish your pores while the antibacterial properties help prevent bacterial backup in your pores.

Hair treatments

Condition your hair. The same nutrients and enzymes that help keep your skin hydrated and healthy can help keep your hair from getting damaged. Honey can be used to help hydrate your hair as well as give your hair a nice shine!

Shampoo enhancer. As mentioned above, honey is a natural humectant, which allows your hair to suck in and maintain moisture to help hydrate your hair. Additionally, this is shown to help improve and strengthen your hair follicles for better, healthier growth.

Highlight your hair. As mentioned above, honey contains enzymes that when exposed to oxygen creates hydrogen peroxide. This process, when applied to your hair, can act as a natural highlighter.

Immunity booster

Honey contains high amounts of polyphenols, an antioxidant that helps protect cells from free radical damage. This gives hone antiviral properties, in addition to antibacterial properties, to help improve and boost your immune system. It can also contribute to heart health and help protect against cancer.

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8 Natural Sweeteners That Easily Replace Sugar and Aspartame

Many of us are trying to cut back on sugar and swap to using natural sweeteners. Don’t be tricked into thinking that you can only use aspartame-containing products to get the sweet fix you need to have a productive afternoon. You can actually incorporate healthier sugars into your diet by exploring natural alternatives.

We are all familiar with that sleepy feeling experienced in the early afternoon, somewhere between the dismal hours of 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. It’s post-lunch hour, and you still have a little left to go in your work day. You reach for something sweet to give you a boost of energy, but it leaves you feeling restless and wanting more. So, you make some coffee or tea, pouring in a packet of Splenda or Equal for an added boost. Shortly after you devour your afternoon pick me up, you feel the onset of the inevitable crash instead of the sustainable energy you need to get through the rest of your day.

We have selected eight substitutes that all rank low to medium on the glycemic scale, making them great options to turn to when you are trying to avoid the high spikes and low valleys of a zapped blood glucose level. The following sweetening options can actually add nutritional content to your diet by enriching the not-so-beneficial foods that typically come in the form of sugary drinks, desserts, and zero nourishment snacks.

Eight natural sweeteners

Raw Honey

This is one of the most popular natural sweeteners in its raw form is unprocessed and remains as close to the state found in the hive as you can get. Raw honey is unique because it does not undergo the heating and filtering that strips it of desirable health benefits. It has a high concentration of polyphenols, a rich antioxidant that is thought to be potentially beneficial in treating many diseases. Most commonly used in recipes as a sugar substitute, raw honey provides super sweet taste when added to teas, coffees, and yogurts, as well as when used in cooking and baking. With a medium-ranking score on the glycemic index scale, it has a low impact on your blood sugar level.

In comparison, processed honey may not yield as many nutritional benefits while raw honey has been shown to eliminate high spikes in blood sugar, making it a reasonable sugar substitute when consumed in moderation.

Agave Nectar

Agave nectar, often called “nectar” or “syrup,” is extracted from the core of the Mexican Agave tequiliana plant (yes, the same plant that tequila hails from) and is then expressed and heated to form a syrup that is thinner than honey and sweeter than sugar. Primarily consisting of fructose, which is a naturally occurring sugar found in fruits and vegetables, organic agave is a great alternative to table sugar and has a lower glycemic index than both honey and sugar (GI of 30). There are many different types of agave plants, allowing the syrup to be concocted into various colors and flavors.

It has recently attracted media attention in regard to the authenticity of its chemical-free processing. To make sure you are purchasing all-natural syrup, first do some research on the brand to verify its organic seal and means of production. Because of its delicate form, you can use this caramel-tasting sweetener in drinks where it can dissolve easily. But remember, if used to replace table sugar in a baking project, make sure to compensate for the difference in form. Since it is a thin liquid, you will use less than regular sugar, or about 1/2 cup compared to 1 cup of table sugar.

Molasses

This sweet substance is derived from both the sugarcane and the sugar beet making one of the more popular natural sweeteners. When harvested from the young sugarcane, sulfur dioxide is added to act as a preservative, and it is boiled to crystallize the sugars. It can then be boiled several times, each time extracting more sugar than the last which makes it less sweet and provides more nutritional value in the form of a mineral-rich syrup. After the third and final boil, you are left with a substance called blackstrap molasses, which is the most nutritionally dense, and has a lower-than-table-sugar glycemic index of 55. You can use molasses in baking, and it tends to work best with foods that call for rich and chewy consistencies (think ginger snap cookies). When measuring, 1 pound of molasses should equal approximately 1 1/3 cups, and keep in mind that it might help to lightly spray the measuring cup with cooking oil in order for the molasses to pour more readily. Using one teaspoon of baking soda for every 1 cup of molasses often helps to counteract the acidic nature of this sugar substitute and helps yield an optimal flavor.

Dates and Raisins

Derived from the date palm tree and dried grapes, respectively, both dates and raisins are fruits that provide a great source of fiber and are high in vitamins and minerals. Not only can you enjoy them on their own as a quick snack, but dried fruits like dates and raisins can be used in a multitude of different ways. Try throwing them in a salad or incorporating them into a batch of oatmeal cookies. You can also use these fruits whole in porridge, pudding, yogurt, or cereal. Another option is to blend them into a smoothie or mix them into a batch of pancake or waffle batter. You can even whip up date sugar at home by grinding dehydrated dates into small pieces, making it comparable to brown sugar, cup for cup. Either way, they provide a great alternative to table sugar when your recipes call for it.

Fruit Juice Concentrate

Where else should fruit juice concentrate come from but from real fruit? Fruit juice can virtually replace any liquid ingredient used in baking. You can make your own fruit juice concentrate by cutting up your fruit of choice, placing it in a saucepan, adding water, boiling the fruit until soft, straining out the seeds or skins, and adding your choice of natural sweetener as desired. Try freezing it to make popsicles for the kids, mixing it with seltzer to make fruit soda for a party, or blending it into a recipe to make various gelatin-based desserts. Depending on what produce you use, you could have a sweetener with a relatively low glycemic index number (raw apples have a GI of 40, for example) as well as meeting your daily requirement of fruit in your diet.

Palm Sugar

Palm sugar is very similar to regular sugar with its crystalline form and dissolving properties, but it’s very different because it’s completely natural, coming from the palm flower nectar of coconut trees. Once the nectar is extracted, it sits out in the sun and dries to form dark-tinted crystals comparable to table sugar. This natural alternative is not calorie-free, but it does rank low on the glycemic index (GI 35) due to its slow absorption into the blood stream. It is also nutritiously dense, containing high concentrations of magnesium, potassium, zinc, and iron as well as vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, and C. Palm sugar is great to use in a 1 to 1 ratio substitution for sugar because of its obviously similar make-up. It would work very well as a brown sugar replacement in cooking or baking.

Stevia

Stevia is a calorie-free form of natural sweeteners found in the leaves of a small, green shrub called Stevia rebaudiana in South America. It is 200 to 300 times sweeter than regular table sugar and has been popular in the United States since the FDA approved it in 2008. It initially gained its popularity as a pre-packaged sweetener used primarily for coffees and teas, but it can also be used in baking. When you prepare your measurements, keep in mind that because Stevia has such a strong impact, one teaspoon is usually enough to substitute for one cup of sugar. Stevia, in its unadulterated form, ranks a whopping 0 on the glycemic index scale because it contains no carbohydrates or sugars. However, that number climbs when other sugars such as glucose, fructose, and dextrose, are combined with it to make select artificial sweeteners. You can purchase Stevia at local food coops, natural grocery stores, health food stores, or online.

Xylitol

Did you know that our bodies produce a little bit of this natural sweetener everyday? Xylitol is found in fibrous fruits and vegetables like berries, corn husks, and mushrooms. It was discovered to be an ideal, low-calorie sweetener for diabetics and those with hyperglycemia because it does not have a significant impact on insulin levels due to a glycemic index of 13. It also may have dental benefits because of its ability to keep a level pH balance in the mouth, preventing bacteria from sticking to your teeth. For this reason, Xylitol is a key sweetener in many types of chewing gum and, according to the FDA, it “does not promote cavities.” Its solid form is similar in makeup to white table sugar with a measurement ratio of 1:1, making it perfect for baking your favorite treats.

As you can see you have many choices when looking for alternative natural sweeteners.

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How to Deal with Panic Attacks Naturally

Panic attacks can hit you at any time without warning. While the leading cause of panic attacks has not been determined, there may be specific triggers that could make them happen, such as being in the middle of a crowd and feeling trapped. Genetics or a significant kind of stress can also be contributing factors. You could also experience a panic attack if you begin to misinterpret specific anxiety symptoms. When you start to palpitate, you imagine that you are about to have a heart attack, or too many thoughts going on in your head can make you believe that you are going crazy. When that happens, you start to panic. Studies have also shown that too much exposure to electromagnetic fields or EMFs can cause stress and anxiety, leading to a panic attack. Finding out more about  EMF protection can help you in this respect.

If you are experiencing panic attacks, it is essential to be able to know how you can keep it under control and eventually learn how you can relieve yourself from the experience. Here are some techniques to deal with it.

Practise deep breathing

Everyone knows that hyperventilating signifies the onset of a panic attack. However, practising deep breathing exercises when the attack is ongoing reduces its symptoms and lessens the degree of panic. This is why relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation are beneficial in dealing with anxiety and stress. The focus is on breathing and achieving the calm state that keeps you from panicking.

Think happy thoughts

Happy thoughts allow you to focus on good things rather than concentrate on what is making you panic. Think of happy memories that gave you positive and warm feelings. Imagine yourself in your favourite place. Think of people who make you laugh and feel good. Try to recall a significant accomplishment that left you satisfied. Whatever thoughts you can pull out of your memories to divert your attention can help you ignore the panic you feel.

Get into a physical activity

Exercise has always been known to improve your mood. When you do a workout, you feel good right after the routine. You need not do anything heavy, especially if you feel breathless from the attack. Instead, get into some light physical activity like walking around or swimming. This is enough to make you feel better and get over your attack quicker.

Talk to someone you feel comfortable with

Talking to a person you trust can help alleviate the panic you are feeling. You can discuss your fears, and they can provide you with the reassurance you need that everything will be fine. Talking allows you to release those anxieties and reduces the symptoms of your attack.

Recognize your panic attack for what it is, knowing that you are okay and will get over it soon enough. Learn how to relax and stay positive. If panic attacks start affecting your lifestyle, talk to a professional who can give you the best advice on managing it efficiently.

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8 Natural Remedies to Lower High Blood Pressure in No Time

Anyone with high blood pressure, of course, should consult with a physician before starting to use alternative remedies. Happily, though, most people with readings from 130/85 (high normal blood pressure) to 159/99 (the upper range of mild high blood pressure) can safely be treated with alternative methods, says Chris Meletis, dean of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. (Although they, too, should periodically check in with a doctor.)

For people whose numbers fall within this range, a 12-point drop in systolic pressure (the first number in a reading, measuring how strongly blood is pumped from the heart as it contracts) is typically what drugs can achieve. But many non-drug therapies, whether taken singly or in combination, work just as well or even better—without the troublesome side effects. Here’s a look at the best of what the alternative world has to offer.

Try a vessel-relaxing herb

In a recent study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research, 36 people with mild high blood pressure took either 500 milligrams (mg) of an extract of the herb hawthorn, 600 mg of magnesium (a mineral that relaxes arteries), a combination of the two, or a dummy pill. The hawthorn group showed the biggest decrease in blood pressure. “Hawthorn is rich in flavonoids, biochemicals that relax the musculature of the vessels, decreasing blood pressure,” says Ann Walker, lead author of the study and a senior lecturer in human nutrition at the University of Reading in England. She recommends the same daily dose as that used in the study: 500 mg of hawthorn extract, standardized for the flavonoid vitexin. “Watch out for powdered hawthorn tablets,” she adds. “They’re too weak to be useful.”

Eat a low-fat diet (and hold the salt)

You’ve doubtless heard this advice before, but it bears repeating, because the evidence for it is so impressive. In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, volunteers followed the DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Control Hypertension, an eating plan low in cholesterol and saturated fats, and rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products) and reduced their salt intake. (Salt increases the volume of blood, requiring higher pressure to pump it through the arteries.) After just 30 days, their systolic pressure dropped by 11.5 points. For long-lasting results, the researchers say, you need to stick with the diet.

Get friendly with garlic

This remedy hasn’t been proven beyond a doubt, but the circumstantial evidence for it is strong. “Garlic has a wide range of positive effects on circulation, thinning blood and dissolving blood fats,” says Farhang Khosh, a naturopathic physician and co-director of the Natural Medical Care Clinic in Lawrence, Kansas. “It may have a direct effect on blood pressure by affecting mineral metabolism in arterial muscles, relaxing them.” Indeed, studies have shown that people who eat lots of garlic-rich meals have lower blood pressure than those who don’t. As for garlic supplements, an article reviewing the results of eight small studies showed that they, too, can bring pressure down.

Give needles a try

Proponents of Chinese medicine have long believed that acupuncture can ease high blood pressure. Now scientists at Harvard Medical School are putting this notion to the test.

Physican Randall Zusman and his colleagues are studying a group of 192 patients who have been divided into three groups. One group received 12 weeks of acupuncture sessions with the needles moved from point to point according to the diagnostic criteria of traditional Chinese medicine; one got a protocol considered less effective, with the needles kept in a consistent position; and one got “sham” acupuncture, where the needles were placed in areas not involved in high blood pressure treatment.

Although final results aren’t in, Zusman says preliminary indications are positive. “We’ve had people drop 20, 30, and 40 systolic points,” he says. “We’ve had people with 170/100 blood pressure normalize. We’ve had people come off their medications. So we are enthusiastic about the possibility that acupuncture may be effective.”

Supplement yourself

Several supplements are particularly effective in reducing hypertension, says Khosh. Omega-3 fatty acids, for starters. These thin the blood, easing its passage through the arteries. In a study published in Thrombosis Research, people with mild high blood pressure were given either the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (epa) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or a placebo. After four months, those on the omega-3 fatty acid regimen had an average decrease in systolic pressure six points below that of the placebo group. Khosh recommends 1.8 grams per day.

Khosh is also bullish on the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, and the mineral selenium. Researchers at St. James University Hospital in Leeds, England, gave volunteers with high blood pressure an antioxidant supplement for eight weeks and then a placebo for eight weeks. Their average blood pressure fell when they took the antioxidant, but not when they took the dummy pill.

How might these nutrients help? Antioxidants increase the flexibility of blood vessels, which allows blood to move through them more easily, says Khosh. He recommends a daily supplement with a minimum of 1,500 mg of vitamin C, along with 200 to 400 international units of vitamin E, 15,000 to 25,000 units of vitamin A, and 50 to 250 micrograms of selenium.

Move along (but not too fast)

Here’s good news for people who like their exercise on the easy side. When researchers at the University of Western Ontario in Canada reviewed 39 studies on the impact of physical activity on high blood pressure, they found that moderate levels of activity were actually best at lowering blood pressure. Ten weeks of low-intensity walking or jogging (three times a week, for no more than 50 minutes a session) reduced systolic pressure by an average of 13 points; any exercise beyond that point brought no added benefit.

Soothe your stress. (And talk about it, too.)

It’s no secret that stress reduction techniques, like yoga, deep breathing, progressive relaxation, and meditation can lower blood pressure. What’s less well-known is that these methods are likely to yield even better results if you also talk to a counselor about what’s bothering you.

A review of stress-busting techniques in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that the average drop in pressure they brought was three to four systolic points. But when counseling was added, the change was even greater—ten points, on average.

“Meeting with a therapist and talking to him or her about the things in your life that are stressful—in addition to using methods such as relaxation tapes, yoga, or biofeedback—is probably the most effective way to reduce blood pressure through stress control,” says J. David Spence, a neurologist who is lead author of the report and director of the Stroke Prevention and Atherosclerosis Research Centre in London, Canada.

Consider water fasting

It sounds drastic—and it is—but the results have been striking. A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics in June 2001 looked at 174 people with high blood pressure who had been through a program of medically supervised water fasting at TrueNorth Health in Penngrove, California. TrueNorth is a residential treatment facility, certified by the International Association of Hygienic Physicians.

The program consists of a few days of pre-fasting, in which patients eat fresh raw fruits and vegetables and steamed vegetables; water-only fasting for 4 to 28 days; and a post-fasting “refeeding” period, starting with juices, then raw fruits and vegetables, then adding cooked vegetables, whole grains and legumes, and a few raw unsalted nuts and seeds.

“Our study shows the largest decrease in blood pressure levels ever reported in the scientific literature,” says Alan Goldhamer, a chiropractor and lead investigator of the study, which was coauthored by T. Colin Campbell of the department of nutrition at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. All of those starting the program had high blood pressure, with an average reading of 159/89, and many were on medication. At the end of the program, the average numbers had dropped to 122/76, and just one patient was still taking drugs. A second study conducted by Goldhamer, on water fasting and borderline high blood pressure, appeared in the October 2002 issue of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine with similar, positive results.

Why is fasting so effective? It improves many of the factors that contribute to hypertension, says Goldhamer. It unclogs arteries, peels off extra pounds, and drains the body of excess sodium. Goldhamer doesn’t recommend that anyone try water fasting at home, but he says that under medical supervision, the therapy is safe. “None of the patients suffered any ill effects at all,” he says.

What’s more, the results last. A year after the study, the average blood pressure of the patients was still well within the normal range.

In fact, Fred Wilson the construction worker is one of those people who used fasting to solve his blood pressure problems—as well as the troubling complications of taking the medications. How did it work?

“I saw him six months after his fast, after his pressure had been normalized, and he was completely off medications,” says Goldhamer. “I asked him how he was feeling. He looked at me with a big grin, and he said, ‘I’m doing really good, doc. All of me is doing really good.’”

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8 Reasons We Fart

Passing gas, flatulate, or just plain farting; for most of us it is uncomfortable and embarrassing, but hey we all fart! If you suddenly see an increase in the amount you are farting, or notice your farts have become a little more stinky, you may want to check out your diet. Many foods we eat contain toxins that can increase the amount we fart and the potency of the gas we emit.

How we eat

The biggest contributor to gas is how we eat. Slow down, chew your food and avoid sipping hot beverages or using a straw. All three of these are factors in building up gas.

How much soda do you drink?

Farts are caused by trapped air, which can come from many sources. When you sip carbonated beverages using a straw it can cause air to become trapped in the colon, where it causes up to 50 percent of excessive farts. If you burp you can reduce the blowout. But not burping will cause the gas to come out the bottom end.

Too much sugar!

Americans eat 165 pounds of sugar each year, much of it as added sugars to our foods. Our bodies cannot digest many of these artificial sweeteners, so they stay in our gut and ferment. If you chew sugar free gum it may contain xylitol, other sweeteners like those used in diet soda can also cause gas.  Avoiding foods with these fake additives will help ease your gas

Eating Greens.

Although they are super-healthy, cruciferous veggies like kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli contain a carbohydrate that make them difficult to digest. As they sit in your gut waiting for your stomach acids to digest them, they produce gas. Taking digestive enzymes can increase the digestive process and reduce gas.

Cutting back on dairy

One of the symptoms of having lactose intolerance can be mild to severe gas. Depending on how much lactase your body makes, gas will usually begin 30 minutes to 2 hours after you eat or drink milk products. Try eliminating dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream) and see if you have less gas.

Stress

Recent research has pegged our digestive tract our “second brain”. Stress can have a big impact on our gut. If you feel stressed try meditation, it can soothe your mind and your gut. Overworking our brain cause less blood flow to the gut, slowing the digestive process resulting in undigested food remaining in our gut for a longer period.

You are constipated

When you get backed up your poop just sits around in your intestines. This will cause gas. Try adding fiber to your diet which can help push the toxins from processed foods through the colon and get your body back on track. It is normal to poop one or two times per day, doing so will reduce the amount of gas build up.

Medications

Many medications can cause you to fart. These include over the counter products like aspirin or antacids and prescription medications like narcotic pain medications. If you have been prescribed a medication and notice an increase in gas, discuss the situation with your health care provider.

How to reduce gas

One of the key ways to reduce gas (for most people farting 10-15 times per day is normal) is by modifying our diet. Some common foods that because gas include beans, brans and whole grains, eggs, dairy, prunes and fried foods. If you have a large amount of gas, try modifying your diet and see if you can reduce the number of times you fart each day.

So, if you are embarrassed to fart you don’t really have a choice. Even if you clenched your butt and held them in all day, the gas will escape once you relax. What’s more relaxing than sleep?

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How to Stay Healthy and Productive While Tackling a Nursing Degree

To say that nursing is a demanding job is, to put it mildly. Nurses are the backbone of care, but they are also the face that patients and their families see. They are the ones who deal with the human element of healthcare more than anyone else in the entire industry. They are there to comfort, to reassure, to console. They are there through the worst experiences people go through in their lives, regardless of whether they make a full recovery or not.

People don’t like being in hospitals, but a good nurse can change everything. A good nurse isn’t just good for patient satisfaction. More RNs on staff contributes to a 10% increase in patient outcome and saves lives.

RNs are not just caretakers. They are healthcare professionals. Higher-level nurses even take over many of the tasks of certified doctors.

Nursing Educators

You can become an RN in most states without a BSN, but you cannot go further. Unfortunately for those who don’t push forward through their BSN and MSN, they will never be eligible for higher levels of pay, nor be able to work in the more rewarding and interesting roles of nursing, like educating.

Nurse educators need to go beyond a BSN. They need to go further than their MSN. And yet only 1% of nurses hold a doctorate degree. This lack of nurses with a doctorate means that the job demand for nurse educators is massive. If you want to take a step back later in your career and enjoy a role with a great work/life balance, then it is certainly a great job to consider.

This same job demand, however, means that as much as 75,000 qualified applicants are turned away from their degree every year. Don’t be discouraged. You can do so much while you are waiting to enroll that will help you stay healthy and productive during your degree:

Staying Healthy While Tackling a Nursing Degree

Improving your health and routines before your degree can help you tackle both studying and a career without burning yourself out.

Improving Your Diet to Increase Natural Energy Levels

Your diet is a great place to start. The body contains complex systems, and each one of those systems requires various nutrients and vitamins to thrive. We all know this, but getting the vitamins and nutrients necessary – especially on a busy schedule – can feel impossible.

Thankfully a few easy switches, and a commitment to prepping meals in advance, are the only things you need to do to see a huge difference in your natural energy levels.

Improve Your Food

To start, you will want to focus on foods that offer high levels of:

• Carbohydrates
• Potassium
• Vitamin B6
• Omega 3
• Vitamin B12
• Fiber
• Manganese
• Protein
• And more

Bananas, eggs, fish, apples, sweet potatoes, and brown rice are just a few of the foods that will make you feel more energized throughout the day. Your goal isn’t just to enjoy a short burst of energy that ends in a crash, which is what sugars and caffeine give you. Your goal is to fundamentally change your energy levels so that you can do more in your day.

Prep Your Food

When we don’t have energy or time, the fastest and easiest thing is the only thing that we want. Unfortunately, this quick and easy dinner is often lacking in nutrients and high in calories. Both combined make one feel lethargic and dead on their feet.

By prepping healthy meals or at least things like sauces, you can make your cooking so much better without overloading yourself on days you work.

Getting a Better Night’s Sleep Even on a Shift Schedule

Shift schedules can ruin a good night’s sleep. The body’s internal routines and cycles don’t have the chance to sync up and get in a consistent rhythm. Without this rhythm, your brain physically cannot get a good night’s rest.

There are a few tricks you can have up your sleeve. If you cannot use the time to set your cycle, use routine. Do the same actions, listen to the same music, and enjoy the same scents before bed and when you wake up every single time.

Regularly Learning Opportunities, You Can Start Now

The last part of your at-home routine that you are going to want to develop while waiting for your degree to begin is learning. Learning is incredibly good for your mind and wellbeing, and you don’t necessarily have to make it entirely about your career. For now, just getting in the right habits is the only thing you need to worry about.

1.    Medical News and Journals

If you do want to do more for your career, than by all means, start to get into the habit of reading medical news and journals on your commute or before bed. They can help you stay on top of your career and can even help you get ahead with your degree in the future.

Otherwise, just read! Getting into the habit of reading will do wonders towards helping you study later on.

2.    Online Short Courses

Another way to either further your career or just get you into the hang of studying on a regular schedule is through online courses. Some are even entirely free to take, others are very affordable and offer certifications when you are done. Though you won’t be able to take anything in these short courses that will help you qualify for an RN or APRN, you can take courses that help you round out your education and help in the more holistic areas of your job.

3.    Podcasts and Talks

Another way to learn on the go, and even delve deeper into healthcare as a whole, is through podcasts and online talks. Many are free and can be listened to while you are working in non-patient-facing roles or even on your commute.

4.    Shadow Others at Work

Other ways you can learn before your degree is to ask to shadow others at work. Different roles and more importantly, various departments can shed light into the areas of medicine that you are most interested in. Dependent on the size of the hospital you work for, this can even help you network and later move on to open positions where you want.

Translating These Routines to Your Degree

Getting into the habit of learning on your own time and the job will make it so much easier to start working on your degree. Routines do wonders towards normalizing our energy levels, meaning you can tackle it all without burning yourself out.

Staying Productive While Tackling a Nursing Degree

When you do finally begin your next nursing degree, there are a few additional tips that will help you succeed even further:

Study on a Schedule

Try to make your study schedule and when you work on your online degree as consistent as possible. Suppose you can see if your employer would be happy to make your schedule more consistent than it was before so that you can obtain your degree faster. Employers need more RNs with BSN or higher, and so they should be more accommodating to help you achieve your higher certifications.

Break Regularly to Improve Productivity

Push yourself too hard, and you will burn out. The brain cannot do too much without just snapping. When you reach this point, it might be harder and harder to recover. By taking regular breaks while studying, which includes a mixture of shorter breaks and larger ones for food and drinks, you can stay on task and be able to work much more consistently on your own.

Host a Study Group

You don’t, however, have to do it all alone. You can host or join a study group either within your workplace or online with your fellow students. Create notes for different topics and share the important information that you need so you can study better and work out concepts you don’t understand.

Work Towards the Future You Want

These tips will help you through all of your degrees and any further certifications you will want to take to specialize yourself into your dream position. All you need is to have that goal and to find out what it takes to get there. In healthcare, every role has very clear-cut requirements, making it easy to build up your resume and see your dreams come true.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Most online degrees today can be taken on a part-time basis. This means it takes you longer overall, but if the alternative is to push yourself too far and burn yourself out, then there is no contest. You need to put your health and wellbeing first. Only when you take care of yourself can you succeed both at your degree and work. You can do both, while still maintaining a social life and giving yourself time to relax; it’s what you’ll need to power through your BSN, MSN, and even doctorate degrees.

 

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5 Science-Backed Reasons To Kiss More

Kissing is one of the simplest forms of expressing affection and love to those around us. Depending on where you’re from, you might have actually kissed new people on the cheek in greeting. We want to kiss babies, our children, friends and of course our partners. When in a romantic embrace, your heart starts pounding, you feel the thrill of the moment and you even get butterflies in your stomach — if you’re into it, that is. Obviously, there are many pleasures in kissing, but researchers have found that there are also major health benefits to the activity. Here are five of them:

1. Kissing boosts the immune system

Romantic kissing, even when it’s between people on a first date, can be beneficial to your immune system. According to a 2005 study in Neuroendocrinology Letters, lust — and the kissing that goes along with it — affects the body by reducing stress levels that help promote a healthy state. Another study, published in the journal Microbiome found that couples who kiss at least nine times per day share the same microbiota in their saliva. That means that together, partners can enjoy an improved immune system and less need for sick days.

2. Kissing might help reduce sadness or depression

Kissing releases feel-good neurotransmitters including the love hormone, oxytocin, and vasopressin, the hormone that bonds partners with one another, and mothers with their babies. Studies also show that dopamine, which affects the brain’s reward and pleasure centers, is released when we kiss our loved one.

3. Kissing can reduce blood pressure

According to Andréa Demirjian, author of Kissing: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about One of Life’s Sweetest Pleasures, when we kiss someone passionately, our heart rate increases in a healthy way — much like during healthy exercise — and can help lower blood pressure. “It dilates your blood vessels — blood is flowing in a good, solid fashion and getting to all your vital organs.”

4. Kissing can help reduce your stress levels

Kissing in partnered relationships can have a positive effect on stress levels. Citing Affection Exchange Theory, a 2009 study published in theWestern Journal of Communication found that physical affection, including kissing, helps build resilience against stress. It also lowers cortisol levels in the body and may help reduce inflammation and illness as a side effect.

9 Reasons to Use Coconut Oil 

5. Kissing is good for your teeth

While this isn’t the sexiest benefit to kissing, the extra saliva in your mouth during a smooch session helps wash bacteria off your teeth. Although as Dr. Mathew Messina, a dentist and consumer advisor for the American Dental Association, says, “Still, I would not go around advocating kissing after meals instead of brushing.” But, for those of us in a great romantic relationship, it can’t hurt.

Not only is kissing beneficial to your health, but studies show being in a partnered relationship can help keep you healthy.

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How to To Deal With Your Bff Dating Your Ex

You just broke up with your boyfriend and things have pretty much moved on. And just like every heartbroken girl, we are assuming you shared all your pain and anger with your best friend. Isn’t that how women deal with heartbreak? Talking to your BFF about a broken relationship gives you immense satisfaction. When everything seems okay, you suddenly are told that your BFF is dating your ex. What do you do in a situation like this? Hold a grudge against your friend or create a scene? This situation can seem worse than your breakup and it is only normal. However, you need to deal with this in a much mature way. We will tell you 5 ways to deal with the fact that your BFF is now dating your ex.

Maintain distance

If you want to feel better the best thing to do is maintain distance. Make sure whenever you meet your friend, she does not get him along. You can also take a temporary break from this friendship and stay away from this whole thing. This will give you time to asses and also heal maybe.

Do not stop yourself from being upset

If the news of your friend dating your ex upsets you, just cry it out. Do not hold back your feelings. You need to vent it out and ensure that it is off your chest. You can cry in front of other friends if you wish. You will be okay with time and that can happen more effectively if you allow yourself to grieve.

Hang out with people who you like

This can be a tough time so you might want to stop hanging out with this friend for some time. Instead hang out with other friends who make you feel good, make you laugh and are supportive. You totally deserve a good time.

Have a heart to heart conversation with your friend

Talk it out and tell your friend whatever you think or feel about this whole thing. You need to know their side as well, because you never know maybe she does not mean to hurt you. So before you decide to maintain distance, have a heartfelt conversation with her.

Respect your friend

However upset or hurt you are, never tell her call her that she is wrong or selfish. Remember, this friend matters to you a lot more than your silly ex. So respect her for her choice and ask for the same understanding and respect from her.

This is how you handle a situation like this. It can be tricky, but if you follow these steps, you will overcome all your negative feelings soon.

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Do You Know the Signs of Leaky Gut?

As more Americans are affected by poor diet choices, chronic stress, toxic overload and bacterial imbalance it appears that the prevalence of leaky gut has reached epidemic proportions. Unfortunately, many in conventional medicine do not accept the condition. However, it is said to be the linked to serious illnesses such as arthritis, Coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease. According to the NHS, it is also suggested to be the cause of long-term conditions including chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple sclerosis.

Leaky gut syndrome describes conditions that are related to increased permeability of the intestines. This occurs when the cells lining the intestines are damaged and separate, creating gaps through which toxic substances can pass, from the intestine into the bloodstream, triggering inflammation. This is seen in illnesses such as coeliac disease and Crohn’s disease.

It is thought that leaky gut syndrome is due to undigested food particles, bacterial toxins and germs passing through the “leaky” gut wall and into the bloodstream. This triggers the immune system and causes persistent inflammation throughout the body – this is said to be behind the following five health conditions.

Food allergies related to leaky gut

This is where the body’s immune system reacts unusually to specific foods, according to the NHS.

Migraines

A moderate to severe headache felt as a throbbing pain on one side of the head. It can also trigger symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and increased sensitivity to light or sound.

Tiredness and chronic fatigue

Extreme tiredness could be associated with leaky gut syndrome.

Asthma

The common lung condition causes occasional breathing difficulties.

Skin conditions

Eczema and scleroderma – a condition causing hard, thickened areas of skin – could be linked to gut health issues.

Dietary changes can help your leaky gut. Gluten is a hard-to-digest protein that should be avoided by leaky gut sufferers. It is known to induce the release of a protein called zonulin, which directly contributes to intestinal permeability.

Refined sugar should also be avoided, since it feeds the growth of bad bacteria that prevent healing of the damaged gut.

If you suffer from leaky gut you should consider adding fermented and easily digestible foods to your diet, as well as taking probiotics. Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kefir, natural yoghurt and kimchee are rich in beneficial bacteria. These are essential in helping to fix a leaky gut through a variety of means. And help balance the pH of the stomach and intestines, thus limiting growth of bad bacteria.

Other useful foods include easily digestible foods such as non-starchy vegetables, as well as healthy fats like avocados, which help with gut healing.

Probiotic supplementation may also be beneficial. Probiotics prevent bad bacteria from taking hold in the gut, reduce the level of toxins, help break down food and assist with maintaining an intact intestinal barrier.

Because most of the medical community denies its very existence, it’s critical that you understand what leaky gut is and what to look out for in case you or a loved-one is affected by it. This way, even though your doctor may not pick up on the clues, you’ll be armed with the knowledge that you need to make the necessary lifestyle and dietary changes.

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Beating Bad Breath From Coffee!

Many of us like to indulge in a piping hot cup of coffee before starting their day. It is the fuel most people have early morning to kick start the proceedings. Although you enjoy the aroma and taste of this beverage, the smell of your breath afterwards is a downer. The bad breath associated with Coffee breath is caused by bacteria and when caffeine dries out your mouth and slows down the production of saliva, resulting in the bad odor. Many people avoid drinking coffee when socializing due to this reason. But the good news is that you can now enjoy your cup of coffee and avoid the dreaded coffee breath! Here are some tips to avoid coffee breath.

Chew Gum

The first thing that you can reach out for is chewing gum. It is one of the best and affordable solutions and it’s easily available. Chew your favorite mint flavored chewing gum. After your cup of coffee, toss a chewing gum in your mouth, it will prevent the acids in coffee from lingering on your teeth, fight the bacteria as well as whiten your teeth.

Gulp down water

Always drink lots of water before and after drinking coffee, this will help you a great deal to keep away the bad breath. The water that you gulp down will clean the bacteria that causes odor in your mouth. If you wish to try flavor infused water, squeeze some fresh lemon juice into the water or drink fresh fruit infused water instead of plain water.

Cut down sugar and milk

It is believed that sugar and milk results in the odor-causing bacteria. So you can cut down on sugar and milk in your coffee. And you can always replace sugar with a healthy substitute like honey. Try to avoid milk in you coffee, but if you wish to add milk, only add a little.

Eat an odor-neutralizing snack

You can avoid the bad breath by eating an odor-neutralizing snack like an apple or some parsley. Apple is said to eliminate the odor caused by the bacteria by producing more saliva. So when you eat an apple or a some fresh parsley leaves after coffee it will neutralize the odor of your breath.

Have some yogurt

Yogurt also has the odor-neutralizing power, so it helps to eliminate the odor causing smelly bacteria from your mouth after you drink your coffee and replaces it with good bacteria.

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5 Tips to Get Rid of Leg Cramps

A muscle cramp is an involuntary contraction of any muscle. You feel pain and lump at the site where the muscle has contracted. And most of the time it hits your hamstring and calves, especially after a workout session or at night. Although leg cramps are common, it can happen to any of your muscles and sometimes it happens when you least expect it. You may experience cramps in your abs, arms and quads. Muscle cramps happen because your body lacks sufficient amount electrolyte or you are dehydrated. You may experience muscle cramps when your body doesn’t get enough magnesium and potassium, which are important for smooth functioning of the muscles. When your body is dehydrated, these minerals are not processed properly. It can also happen due to poor circulation of blood in the body or if you have not done the stretching exercises before your workout. Here are some tips to stop muscle cramps.

Drink water

You need to drink water to keep your body hydrated and stop muscle contraction. It will help the muscles to function normally. Often our brains confuse thirst with hunger when we are not properly hydrated.

Stretch your cramped muscles

Perform stretching exercise to relax your muscles and stop the cramp. Stretch your muscles and hold the stretch for sometime before you relax. You can also try massaging the cramped muscles.

Eat a banana

You can eat a banana to replenish the electrolyte in your body. Your body looses water and electrolyte when you sweat, so it is essential to put back the electrolyte as they play an important part in the normal functioning of the muscles. If you experience side stitch, which is also a muscle cramp, eat a banana or drink some water. Banana is a good source of potassium.

Soak in hot water
You can apply hot pads or a wet cloth on the cramped muscles to get relief from the cramp. You can also take a hot shower. According to many professional, adding some Epsom salt to the hot water will give you relief from the cramp.

Try dietary supplements
According to studies, consuming vitamin D, vitamin B, vitamin E, zinc and magnesium can lower the risk of cramps. Taking each of these alone can be difficult, but a good multivitamin should provide your daily requirements for each of these important vitamins.

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