Natural Pain Relief

Pain is the body's way of alerting the conscious mind to a problem. Eliminating the cause is the best way to relieve pain. If the cause can't be eliminated, natural treatments can be very safe and effective.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
-- Thomas Jefferson

Food Supplements & Herbal Medicines

• Calcium reduces sensitivity to pain; calms nerves
• Magnesium muscle relaxant; helps stop spasm
• Quercetin an anti-inflammatory and antihistamine
• EFAs block the inflammatory response system
• DLPA helps body release its own natural pain relief
• Bromelain powerful anti-inflammatory; digestive aid
• Capsicum aids circulation; pain relieving properties
• Devil's Claw anti-inflammatory; great for joint pain
• Jamaican Dogwood spasms or cramping; pain relief
• Meadowsweet anti-inflammatory; reduces fever, pain
• Willow Bark herbal aspirin; anti-inflammatory; pain

Homeopathy

• Arnica montana for an injury resulting in bruising, sprained/strained tissue
• Belladonna for pain that comes on suddenly
• Bryonia for relief of pain that gets worse with movement
• Ruta graveolens for deep pain, injury that doesn't seem to heal

Therapies

• Acupuncture stimulates the production of pain relieving endorphins
• Exercise strengthening muscles and clearing waste reduces pain
• Massage therapeutic touch is often healing, cleansing, soothing
• Nutrition food affects inflammation; e.g., food allergies, saturated fats

Outliving Diabetes

On first reaction, the diagnosis of diabetes may hit like a death sentence. It doesn't have to be one.

A book, Know Your Numbers, Outlive Your Diabetes: 5 Essential Health Factors You Can Master to Enjoy a Long and Healthy Life (Avalon Publishing Group, 2007), by Richard Jackson, MD, and Amy Tenderich, advocates a do-it-yourself approach. The book offers easy-to-understand information, tables, anecdotes and action plans aimed mainly at people with Type 2 diabetes.

"Think of yourself and your diabetes as a small business," advises Tenderich, a journalist who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2003. "You manage it; your health care providers are your consultants."

Tenderich and Jackson, director of outreach at the Joslin Diabetes Center and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, encourage diabetics to know the key numbers from various simple blood tests and other noninvasive tests to monitor their health. The five essential health factors are:

A1C. This reflects average blood glucose values over three months. It should be checked every three months.

Blood pressure. This helps to assess a potential threat to cardiovascular health and should be checked at least every six months.

Lipids. LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides are different kinds of fats that circulate in blood. Tests can detect increased risk of heart disease and strokes. Annual testing is recommended.

Microalbumin. The test detects small amounts of the protein albumin, which leaks into urine when the kidneys are being damaged. Annual testing is recommended.

Eye exam. Diabetes, if not managed properly, can lead to eye damage or blindness. Having eye health assessed by an ophthalmologist can catch potential problems in time to correct them. Annual testing is recommended.

And, of course, there are the blood glucose monitors that diabetics are advised to keep with them at all times.

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment. Tenderich explains, "The numbers on the tests will indicate where you need to readjust your diet or lifestyle."

She stresses, "There is no need to fear diabetes. If caught early, the damage the disease can cause may be reversed or avoided completely."

Some Good Food Sources of Vitamins

Vitamin A: Fish liver oil, eggs, butter, red peppers, dandelion greens, carrots, apricots, collard, kale, sweet potatoes, broccoli, spinach, mustard greens, swiss chard

B Vitamins: Brewer's yeast, whole grains, legumes, organ meats, raw nuts and seeds, mushrooms, deep sea fish, eggs, meat, dark green vegetables, bee pollen

Choline: Lecithin, egg yolk, liver, wheat germ, soybeans, legumes, brewer's yeast, fish

Inositol: Lecithin, wheat germ, whole rice, barley, oatmeal, liver, oranges, legumes

Vitamin C: Acerola, papaya, peppers, kale, parsley, collard, broccoli, brussels sprouts, kiwi, bee pollen, citrus fruits, cabbage, cantaloupe, cauliflower, berries, spinach

Vitamin D: Sardines, salmon, tuna, herring, sunflower seeds, butter, fish liver oil, eggs

Vitamin E: Wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds, almonds, brazil nuts, olive oil, peanuts, butter, chard, collard, oatmeal, asparagus, kale, brown rice, whole grains, eggs, liver

Vitamin F (EFAs): Flax oil, hemp oil, natural organic soy, borage oil, evening primrose oil, herring, sardines, salmon, trout, mackerel, raw nuts, dark green leafy vegetables

Natural Healing -- To Encourage the Doctor Within

Health is about balance ...

Your body wants to be well, and it knows how to heal itself. Natural healing is about using remedies and therapies that assist the body's innate ability to correct an imbalance which is causing a dis-ease.

Optimum health reflects all areas of well-being -- mind, body, and spirit. Is your life in balance?

Mental:

• open mind
• positive attitude
• stimulation
• self-development

Family:

• devotion
• family activities
• belonging
• values / morals

Financial:

• debt-free
• investments
• salary
• security

Physical:

• diet / nutrition
• activity / exercise
• sleep patterns
• weight management

Social:

• clubs / associations
• friendship
• reputation
• social skills

Spiritual:

• connection
• prayer / meditation
• gratitude
• volunteerism

Career:

• camaradierie
• potential growth
• satisfaction
• vacations

Lifestyle:

• laughing / singing
• peaceful / joyful
• playing / dancing
• healthy / stress free

The 15 Healthiest Foods To Eat

Instead of thinking about all the foods you shouldn't eat, focus on the ones you should! Here's a list of the 15 healthiest foods you should be working into your weekly meal plan:

Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are great for your heart. Fish oil can also help aching and arthritic joints.

Oatmeal is a great source of soluble fiber, which can help control blood sugar and lower cholesterol.

Nuts are full of antioxidants, fiber, magnesium, vitamin E, potassium, and zinc, and are a good source of healthy fat and a filling, but healthy, snack. They can help lower your risk of cancer and heart disease and protect against type 2 diabetes.

Pinto beans have 14 grams of protein and fiber per cup, and are also rich in folic acid, which is great for your heart.

Cauliflower has vitamin C and B, folic acid, fiber, potassium, manganese, and magnesium, and can decrease the risk of cancer.

Spinach helps keep your body strong and is rich in nutrients. Not too keen on the taste? Try it with olive oil and garlic.

Red grapes are rich in flavonoids, which are antioxidants and fight inflammation, heart disease, and cancer.

Sweet potatoes are packed with beta-carotene, an antioxidant that helps boost your immune system. Vitamin A can also help with eye and skin health.

Blueberries have tons of antioxidants that can help ward off many chronic illnesses, help with infection, and protect against brain damage after a stroke.

Strawberries discourage the development of growth in cancer cells and might even help with their self-destruction. They also lower your risk of getting blood clots.

Soy is a great cancer-fighter and can lower bad cholesterol levels.

Tomatoes have lots of lycopene, an antioxidant that protects against heart disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, and many types of cancers.

Garlic can reduce cholesterol levels and may lower blood pressure and help inhibit dangerous clotting.

Flax is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. You can purchase them as seeds or flour and incorporate them into many foods like smoothies, yogurt, and cereal.

Sesame seeds have copper, magnesium, zinc, fiber, and protein in them. Eating just a tablespoon a day can lower your cholesterol!

Cinnamon to Thwart Diabetes & Heart Disease

Once traded like gold, cinnamon is proving its worth all over again in the world of medicine and prevention. A new study has linked the spice to health benefits for people with type 2 diabetes and anyone vulnerable to heart disease.

Researchers at the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center in Maryland found that when people with type 2 diabetes consumed between 1/2 teaspoon and 3 teaspoons of cinnamon a day, they experienced significant improvements in blood glucose (sugar), triglycerides (fats) and cholesterol after only 40 days.

"When you get diabetes, your risk of cardiovascular disease goes up two- to fivefold," says Richard Anderson, lead scientist at the Center. Blood glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol, risk factors for heart disease, are all controlled by insulin, the hormone that is jeopardized by diabetes. "Because cinnamon can improve the functioning of insulin, it works to improve these three risk factors," Anderson concludes.

"We think it is the polyphenols in the cinnamon that are at work. Polyphenols are natural products in plants that are used for protection," Anderson says. In humans they also act as protective agents.

Even people without diabetes can benefit from the spice. "Typically, the older we get, the worse our blood glucose profile becomes -- but it doesn't have to," says Anderson. "If you fortify your body's ability to produce and regulate insulin, you decrease your risk of long-term chronic disease like diabetes and cardiovascular disease."

Anderson himself shakes cinnamon on his morning orange juice every day. "A lot of people like to brew it with their coffee. And you can shake it on salads or meats, or on oatmeal, which is already good for you.

"But you have to think of your whole diet," Anderson warns. "Some people hear this news and think, 'Great! I can eat more apple pie because of the cinnamon in it.' But apple pie has a lot of other ingredients that can be detrimental to your health."

10 Tips for Energy

Tip #1: Eat at least 5 small meals & snacks throughout the day, including breakfast. (Eating every 4 hours)

Tip #2: Consume at least 2,000 calories daily of fresh fruits & veggies, whole grains, low-fat milk products, & other nutrition packed food. (Too few calories equal too little fuel, which equals low energy.)

Tip #3: Avoid overating in the evening.

Tip #4: Limit caffeinated beverages to three 5-ounce servings or less each day.

Tip #5: Limit sugar intake & eat small amounts of sugary foods with your meals.

Tip #6: Drink at least 6 glasses of water each day. (Low fluid intake can result in mild dehydration and fatigue.)

Tip #7: Avoid quick weight-loss diets and yo-yo diets. (Not eating enough can result in fatigue.)

Tip #8: Take time each day to relax & enjoy life.

Tip #9: Include moderate exercise in your daily routine.

Tip #10: Get enough restful sleep each night.

High Fructose Corn Syrup Pops Up in the Strangest Places

I'm eating the same as always but gaining weight. Why?

Overeat by as few as 50 calories a day and you'll put on pounds. "Most premenopausal women can afford 100 to 200 empty calories each day," says Elisa Zied, RD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. "After menopause, women need more nutrients, but 100 to 200 fewer calories. A painless fix: Check labels for high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), often found in high-calorie, low-nutrient processed foods. Preliminary evidence suggests that the ubiquitous sweetener may increase appetite and body-fat accumulation by altering hormones. To keep weight steady, limit foods that list HFCS in the top six ingredients. Watch for it everywhere, not just in sugary-tasting foods: It's found in frozen pizza, whole wheat bread, hamburger buns, as well as in many condiments such as ketchup and salad dressing.

The Best Fruits and Veggies

Want to know what are
the best fruits and veggies to eat
for maximum nutritional benefits?
Here's a list, and why they're good for you!

• Tomatoes are packed with lycopene, that can help ward off lung, skin, bladder, and cervical cancer. You can also get lycopene in watermelon, pink grapefruit, baked beans, and red peppers.
• Avocados are chock full of Vitamin E, an antioxidant that can protect you from heart disease and Alzheimer's. Avocados are also an excellent source of healthy fat and fiber.
• Soy can help reduce your staurated fat intake because it is full of vegetable protein, which is much healthier than protein you get from eating meat. Soy can also help reduce your risk of heeart attack or stroke.
• Beans have soluble fiber, which, when eaten regularly, reduce your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. It can also help lowe ryour cholesterol!
• Broccoli can protect against many forms of cancer, particularly lung and colon. It also helps your liver detoxify carcinogens and can help prevent and heal ulcers!