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The Use of Eggs

Eggs have been criticized in the last few decades by health experts because they were said to be contributing to the cholesterol that people were being diagnosed from. Today, I am going to set the record straight about the good and the ugly about eggs. If you are like me, you love eating your eggs at least 3x a week, and you are hoping that there is better about eggs than all the bad stuff.

It turns out that eggs are a good source of high quality proteins, vitamins and minerals. This is very good news for vegetarians because they benefit from the vitamin b12 found in eggs as they don’t consume meat, so they lose out on the vitamin b12 from meat. Vitamin b12 is vital for the functioning of all cells, especially the bone marrow, nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract.

It is a known fact that egg yolk contains lecithin. Lecithin is basically a type of fat that provides the body with choline. Choline is an important component for all membranes in the body.

So what is the link with eggs and weight loss? Contrary to what we all thought about eggs and the fat contained in them, people who eat eggs are more likely to lose weight than those who do not eat them. Study shows that people who have egg as part of their breakfast feel fuller for longer, and as a result they will eat less for the rest of their day. Continue reading ›

2010 04 10 admin Nutrition Comments (0) Permalink

What Kind of Water is the Best?

Are you hypnotized by the T.V. and magazine ads showing clear blue water cascading down a waterfall? Does it make you want to reach for the nearest container of bottled water? If you said yes, then the advertising companies have done their job. In fact, they’ve succeeded so well at their job that nearly everyone in the country has had at least one drink from bottled water during their life.

Quite a few consumers purchase bottled water due to its taste. Maybe the water from their tap has an after taste. Or maybe it has an unpleasant odor.

After taste from tap water may be due to the various disinfectants typically used to rid the water of microbes, bacteria, and pollutants. Disinfectants such as chlorine, particularly if used in excessive amounts, can impart chlorine like taste to the water which makes many people nauseous. There are various ways to disinfect water. Municipalities usually use chlorine because it is cheap. Most bottling companies, on the other hand, use other methods that don’t leave the chlorine like after taste.

In very old buildings, the bad taste from tap water may be due to the deteriorating condition of the water pipes inside the building. As the pipes slowly rot, they release contaminants into the water giving it a bad taste. Whatever the reason for the bad taste, many people find that bottled water just tastes better. Continue reading ›

2010 04 12 admin Nutrition Comments (0) Permalink

Spruce Bud for Getting Better

I seldom had colds, or head and stomach aches as a child. It was an act of self-defence, because my father had a home remedy for any ailment. One of the most unpleasant and, consequently, effective, was his one-two-three punch for coughs, congestion or sniffles.

His first line of attack was Seneca root, chewed. I could have been the poster-boy for Buckleys cough syrup. It tasted awful, but it worked! For a deep-rooted cough, Doctor Dad prescribed a mustard poultice, mixed with dried plantain leaves applied to the chest. The mustard was the real thing, not some wimpy domestic mustard, with the seeds ground fine and boiled to a paste. It stung, and left a lasting red welt where the poultice was applied. But, it, too, seemed to work its magic in a day or so. His third offensive thrust against colds – more preventive than curative – was spruce bud tea.

The phrase, “spruce buds” sounds almost delicate and inviting. But how many of us have seen spruce flowers, so, in fact, spruce “buds” clearly is a misnomer. The spruce buds are those tips of the spruce branches that emerge in spring, a slightly bluish colour compared to the medium green of the older needles. In theory, those buds are at their most tender. Good thing, because in a matter of weeks after the last of the snow, the tough adult needles are sufficiently solid to stitch up a deep cut! Continue reading ›

2010 04 13 admin Nutrition Comments (0) Permalink

An Apple a Day Keeps a Doctor Away

Fact or fiction; nursery rhyme or just the plain truth;

Let’s look at some more scientific research that will continue to help us understand this subject better.

Five Apples A Week For Better Functioning Lungs

One British study of men showed that individuals who ate at least five apples per week felt a much better functioning of their lungs.

Nottingham University researchers have also done studies that reported a lower risk in respiratory disease in those who ate five apples per week.

Apples have also been singled out as the best fruit that can cut in half a smoker’s risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The antioxidants found in apples may ward off disease by counter active measures of the oxygens damaging effects on the body so researchers believe. Continue reading ›

2010 04 14 admin Nutrition Comments (0) Permalink

Application of Magnetic Therapy in Depression Treatment

To put the principle of using magnetic theory for depression in a lay man’s language, every cell in the human body is surrounded by an electromagnetic field. Now due to certain factors, this field becomes misaligned and gives rise to various problems such as the symptoms of depression. So what magnetic therapy does is that it helps in realigning this field thus, reducing or probably curing the condition.

One method known as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is one form of magnetic healing therapy that is recommended for some patients, where other depression treatments have not responded. This technique makes use of a hand-held device. The doctor holds this device close to the head of the patient. So what this device does is, it starts stimulating those areas of the brain which are known to trigger depression.

A variant of this method is the transcranial magnetic stimulation. Here, an electromagnet coil is used to carry on the treatment. The coil is placed against the scalp near the forehead. The electric currents that are produced by this method are painless and they help in stimulating certain regions of the brain. These regions are associated with depression and mood control of the person. As effective these methods may seem, they are still under study so that experts can determine their efficacy.

There are certain side effects pertained to magnetic therapy. These side effects are, however, short-lived and mild in nature: feeling lightheaded, slight discomfort at the scalp area, during the treatment, tingling sensations in the facial area, spasm of facial muscles, symptoms such as seizures, mania or hearing loss may also show up. However, these are rare.

It is important that patients must convey all information regarding their health, to their doctor so as to prevent any complications. This information could be about pregnancy, metal or implanted medical devices in their body, and history of any conditions like seizures, mania, etc.

2011 09 12 admin Alternative Medicine Comments (0) Permalink

Reflexology as a Part of Alternative Medicine

The first references of reflexology were found in the ancient cultures of Egypt and China. Reflexology is called a natural healing art and is very popular today. This is looked upon as an alternative form of medicine. At times, reflexology has also drawn criticism from people all over. Reflexology uses the principles of applying pressure on one’s feet and hand. While practicing reflexology, parts of the feet, hands and even the ears are pressed gently or even massaged. Reflexology helps to stimulate the nerves in the body. This in turn helps the blood flow to the various parts of the body. Reflexology is also known as a kind of holistic healing.

The principles of reflexology have helped to cure many health related problems. Here are a few of them. Reflexology is known to cure headaches. This helps one to avoid popping pills every time one has a headache. This healing process has also been used to cure premenstrual symptoms in women. The regular use of this method has considerably reduced such pains and aches for many women.

Reflexology is also known to have cured people who suffer from stress and insomnia. Reflexology helps in blood circulation throughout the body. This has also been used to cure digestive problems. People who suffer from back pain and shoulder ache due to prolonged working hours before the computer have also benefited from reflexology. Reflexology also helps one to relax and de-stress oneself. This is because of the pressure that is applied to the various points helps one to feel better and refreshed during the reflexology session.

Reflexology can be done anytime and at any place. It is advisable that you consult a professional to fully enjoy the benefits of reflexology. Generally it is practiced 6 days a week. After two weeks, one needs to assess the results of reflexology. There is no particular diet plan while you practice reflexology. This does not mean you can go in for fast foods. Most dieticians would obviously advice you to have healthy food and therefore it is better you stick to a natural and healthy diet that gives you all the sources you need. Have loads of water and exercise regularly.

If you wish to practice reflexology on yourself then it would better you train yourself in the presence of a professional. It is said that this is definitely an easy therapy to learn. Ensure you know about all the pros and cons before you begin any sessions of reflexology.

2011 08 11 admin Alternative Medicine Comments (0) Permalink

The Essence of Chiropractic and Duties of a Chiropractor

Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) health degree emphasizes on the study of spine. A person undergoing this degree studies about diagnoses, treatment and prevention of spine related diseases. The main hypothesis that chiropractors believe in is that disorders which affect the general health of a person enter via the nervous system.

For becoming a chiropractor, you need to have a college degree from science courses like chemistry, physics, biology, etc. To become a chiropractor and for complete knowledge related to it, it is necessary to undergo the four year degree. For a proper and full fledged course, you will have to do schooling for four extra years. Apply to a chiropractor college which is approved and accredited by the government. Some of the universities and institutes will require you to take some additional exams. A few art colleges allow the students to give the students national board exams for licensure a year early.
Chiropractors treat a variety of conditions and diseases. But they mainly specialize in treating disorders which are caused by misalignment of various parts of the muscle skeletal system. For becoming a licensed chiropractor, you are required to do four years of education after high school studies which are followed by passing national board exams and state licensing exams. A successful chiropractor has to have a strong educational background, he has to have good business and communication skills and he should also be good in manual co-ordination.

Many of the times, chiropractors set up their own business or work in private business hence, they should have a strong accounting and marketing skills for making the business successful. In order to understand their patient’s problem, they have to be good listeners. They should be well versed in explaining the patients the treatment in a simple and thorough manner. Along with this, they also have to be good observers so that they can easily identify the patients’ physical abnormality like misalignment.

Manual skills and co-ordination with the hands is essential as a chiropractor has to work mostly with his hands. In order to understand this field deeply, you can communicate with some successful chiropractors and you can implement the ideas given by them while setting up your own business. These are some of the basic requirements for becoming a chiropractor. You can also do volunteering and job shadowing in chiropractic hospitals if you are comfortable.

2011 07 28 admin Alternative Medicine Comments (0) Permalink

Alternative Ways of Treating Cancer

The moment a person allows the sly, abominable thought that it is not he himself but the medicines and the doctors that are fighting his condition slink inside his subconscious, the mind gets conditioned to being dependent upon the extremely harsh chemicals and the exhausting routines that are part of the regular cancer treatment procedure. Since the mind plays a significant role in deciding how the body copes with the condition and responds to treatment, such conditioning often turns detrimental to the treatment of serious and terminal illnesses. Besides following the routine fare, you can follow a parallel healing course which is both natural and holistic. Anti cancer herbs and cancer preventing herbal remedies are not a recent development in the treatment of malignant tissue growths.

Many ancient and alternative medicine systems had recognized the anti-carcinogenic properties of certain spices and herbs that fight cancer and prevent the growth of cancerous cells ages ago. Chinese medicine is one such system which recognizes the cancer fighting properties of various herbs and similar natural resources which is now being recognized by the West as having the claimed potential. These anti-cancer herbs work in several ways, right from preventing the possibility of cancerous growths to killing off cancer cells. Most of these herbs work as immune system boosters to enable the body to combat the enemy from within. Let’s see what these anti cancer herbs are.

A lot of entrants in the following list of cancer fighting herbs prevent cancer by acting as anti oxidants to prevent the production of radicals due to cellular oxidation, which ultimately result in the formation of cancerous growths due to oxidative stress on the cells. Others have a curative mechanism by killing off the malignant cells and making the biological environment surrounding the growth unsuitable for cancer cell survival and propagation.

Grape seed is also helpful in fighting cancer. Most of these spices and herbs for cancer have an immune-system boosting action. They refresh the immune system and wake it up so that the body itself fights off and kills the malignant cells and prevent their growth. This is the best thing about these alternative cancer treatment options as one of the biggest reasons behind cancer is a weakened or compromised immune system and by fortifying and stimulating it, these herbs play the role of a catalyst rather than a protagonist in the entire cancer cure process. Many spices mentioned in the above list such as turmeric, ginger, garlic, etc., have strong anti inflammatory properties which have been found effective against cancer.

2011 07 22 admin Alternative Medicine Comments (0) Permalink

Hypnotherapy Application in Treatment of Various Diseases

Hypnotherapy is being used today widely to treat a number of patients, both psychologically and medically. The therapy has proved itself to be most effective and long lasting to cure patients. Still there isn’t any scientific reasoning to explain the phenomenon. Let’s try to get some insight into it and try to find an answer to the mysterious question ‘does hypnotherapy work?’

Hypnosis is a state in which the patient is in a trance-like state. It is a state of enhanced awareness and the patient concentrates entirely on the voice of the hypnotist. Since the body is not in the control of the conscious mind, the patient’s metabolism rate falls, breathing becomes slower and deeper, and the pulse rate drops. Also, the person becomes less sensitive towards external pain and unpleasant symptoms.

Hypnotherapy helps in the positive development of an individual. It helps to improve the pattern of the behavior by planting it into the minds of the patient. It helps them to overcome negative thoughts, phobias, irrational fears, suppressed emotions, et al. It is a general disbelief that in a hypnotherapy session, the patient can be made to do anything. If this could have been possible, hypnotherapists would have been the richest of all by asking their patients to rob banks for them! Nothing of this sort actually happens. It in fact, helps a person to overcome the negatives of any sorts.

The answer to the question ‘how does hypnosis work?’ is not certain. The phenomenon of hypnotherapy cannot be explained fully. It is believed that in a hypnotherapy session, there is alteration in the state of consciousness. In this state, the conscious mind is overpowered by the subconscious mind. Here, the therapist suggests ideas and concepts to the patient, and also may try to find out the reason for a particular ailment because of which the patient is undergoing the treatment. The subconscious mind is deeper and is instinctively forceful than the conscious mind. This is why hypnotherapy is said to work with great results as it is the subconscious mind which one needs to alter positively.

To give an example of it, if a person has a phobia for flying, it is obvious that he would want to get rid of it but somehow the person seems not to overcome it. I think it happens with most of us and we want to overcome a certain fear or phobia but we just don’t seem to be able to do that. The reason why we are not able to do it is because of our subconscious mind, which has planted the fear deep within itself. Hence, if the fear is removed from the subconscious itself, the person would gather all the courage to overcome it as there wouldn’t be anything backing it.

2011 07 12 admin Therapy Comments (0) Permalink