Just a Few Servings of These Foods can Cut Men’s ED Risk

Men may be able to avoid embarrassing sexual problems by making sure they get plenty of flavonoids – important antioxidants – in their diet. Flavonoids provide anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic benefits. They’re found in fruits, vegetables, some teas and red wine.

Researchers following 25,000 middle-aged healthy men for 2 decades found the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) dropped when men ate more fruit overall, according to a report published recently in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The men were asked about their ability to get and maintain an erection sufficient for intercourse. Although one-third of the participants reported new-onset ED, those who consumed flavonoid-rich foods were less likely to report having the condition.

“We already knew that intake of certain foods high in flavonoids may reduce the risk of conditions including diabetes and cardiovascular disease,” lead study author Aedin Cassidy, a nutrition professor at the University of East Angelia (UEA) said. “This is the first study to look at the association between flavonoids and erectile dysfunction, which affects up to half of all middle-aged and older men.”

The men still had a lower risk of ED, even after scientists from UEA and Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health adjusted for factors like smoking habits, caffeine consumption, weight and physical activity.

Three specific flavonoids appeared to lower the risk of ED, anthocyanins, flavnones and flavones.

Anthocyanins are abundant in blueberries, cherries, blackberries, radishes and black currant. Flavanones and flavones are found in citrus fruits.

Eating a flavonoid-rich diet was found to be as beneficial to reducing ED risk as walking briskly for up to 5 hours a week.

“Men who regularly consumed foods high in these flavonoids were 10 percent less likely to suffer erectile dysfunction. In terms of quantities, we’re talking just a few portions a week,” Cassidy said in the release.

Erectile dysfunction is believed to be a warning sign of poor vascular function, and may signal future cardiovascular disease. Antioxidants slow and prevent the oxidative effects of free radicals, which can lead to cell dysfunction and the onset of heart disease and other health issues.

One flavonoid, quercetin found in apples, onions and tea helps the body prevent the chronic inflammation that can lead to hardening of the arteries and blood clots.

Senior author Dr. Eric Rimm, an epidemiology and nutrition professor at Harvard, said in the release:

“As well as improving sexual health for middle-aged men, there is another important benefit linked to heart health. Erectile dysfunction is often an early barometer of poor vascular function and offers a critical opportunity to intervene and prevent cardiovascular disease, heart attack and even death.

Men with erectile dysfunction are likely to be highly motivated to make healthier lifestyle choices, such as exercising more and eating the right foods— which would greatly benefit their long-term cardiovascular health as well.”

Just a few servings of flavonoid-rich foods were found to cut the risk of ED, and presumably cardiovascular disease.

Article published on http://naturalsociety.com/

Adrenal Fatigue Treatment – 15 Essential Rescue & Recovery Tips For Optimal Health

Adrenal fatigue is a commonly experienced syndrome in today’s world of stress and high energy. Adrenal fatigue symptoms are often confused for other health issues, and are largely ignored by mainstream medicine. Just as with thyroid conditions, those who are easily fatigued, full of anxiety, or exhausted constantly can face a battle that not many others understand. If you suspect you might have adrenal fatigue (and so many of us do), it is time to uncover adrenal fatigue treatment and solutions that could really work.

There are ways you can support this important part of your endocrine system, to heal, and feel whole again.

The adrenals are small, but are responsible for so much. They are two little glands that sit just on top of the kidneys. They keep cortisol and adrenaline in check (two major stress hormones but essential components to our metabolism) as well as regulate inflammation in the body. They also produce aldosterone, which helps to control blood pressure.

When the adrenals are constantly firing due to the perception of stress, they become over-taxed and begin excreting so many stress hormones that the body begins to shut down – this is why you may feel exhausted if you are always dealing with high amounts of stress and never really get an opportunity to unplug from the demands of life. This then creates a feedback loop in the body associated with the fight or flight response.

Specifically, the adrenals modulate a process initiated by the sympathetic nervous system when our body encounters a threatening (stressful) situation. The hormones of the adrenal medulla contribute to this response.

Hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla are:

• Epinephrine: This hormone is also known more commonly as adrenaline. Adrenaline (made by the adrenals) rapidly responds to stress by increasing your heart rate and rushing blood to the muscles and brain. It also spikes your blood sugar level by helping convert glycogen to glucose in the liver. (Glycogen is the liver’s storage form of glucose.)

• Norepinephrine: Also known as noradrenaline, this hormone works with epinephrine in responding to stress. However, it can cause vasoconstriction (the narrowing of blood vessels). This results in high blood pressure.

When the adrenals do not make the right amount of hormones and release too much cortisol and adrenalin into the body, the following things start to happen:

• First Stage ‘Fried’ Adrenals – You are wired and tired. Though the adrenals fire more in the morning as part of a healthy system, when the adrenals are fatigued, they will instead fire at night, leading to insomnia, even when you already feel very tired.

• Second Stage Adrenal Exhaustion – Your body is full of cortisol more often, and though you may get a little boost of energy at night, you feel sluggish and foggy-brained during the day and have a hard time going back to sleep if you wake up at night. Dr. Kalish explains:
  

  “If you stay in this high-cortisol state for long enough – at stage one – you eventually go to stage two. Stage two means that the cortisol levels are now starting to fail. This is when people start to gain weight. This is when people start to not be able to sleep. This is when your sex drive starts to go away. This is when people just know that there’s some health problem.”

• Full Adrenal Burnout – As Wellness Mama puts it:
  

  “This stage resembles how a person feels in early pregnancy or with a new baby at home- exhausted all the time no matter how much he/she has slept and completely burned out. Cortisol patterns in stage 3 are completely disrupted or even completely flat and this is especially risky because this stage is associated with higher risk of thyroid disease and autoimmune disease, as well as gut problems.”

More Adrenal Fatigue Symptoms

Here are more adrenal fatigue symptoms, each indicating a varying level of adrenaline exhaustion:

• Body aches
• Depression
• Irritability
• The need for stimulants like caffeine to get going in the morning
• Tiredness when you wake up, no matter how much sleep you got
• Difficulty falling asleep or waking up
• Inability to face stressful situations
• Decreased sex drive
• Blood sugar or digestive problems
• Reduced memory or ability to concentrate
• Dizziness when standing up too quickly
• Thyroid problems or low thyroid hormone production
• Food cravings- especially salt and sugar
• Impaired immune function- getting sick more often
• High stress levels or always feeling like there is too much to do

Unfortunately, most of us living in the modern world are exposed to several factors which can make adrenal fatigue worse. One of these factors include being exposed to artificial light at night, since it impairs the natural melatonin and serotonin release associated with our circadian rhythms. Poor sleep patterns and poor nutrition also contribute to adrenal fatigue, as well as exposure to environmental pollutants.

It is estimated that 80% of Americans have some level of adrenal fatigue, and there isn’t a quick fix to make it all better. But adrenal fatigue treatment is attainable, as there are very easy, and effective ways to restore adrenal function. You should just expect it to take at least 6 months to a full year for a full recovery from adrenal fatigue.

Adrenal Fatigue Treatment

Without further ado, here are the ‘cures’ for adrenal exhaustion:

• 1. Rid the diet of excess sugar and processed grains. These are very hard on the adrenal glands. Eating excess sugar/starches will cause blood sugar to spike and insulin to come to the rescue due to excess glucose in the bloodstream. Blood sugar then drops or plummets, causing the adrenals to work to bring levels back up. When you are suffering from fatigued adrenal glands, cortisol levels drop and make it difficult to maintain normal blood sugar levels. People with adrenal fatigue tend to have low blood sugar. Low blood sugar is another stressful situation that can further tax your adrenal glands.

• 2. Add Healthy fats – Coconut oil, ghee, olives, organic olive oil, and clarified butter all greatly support adrenal health. Some of these oils will also lower belly fat, which screams ‘adrenal fatigue.’

• 3. Get More Sleep – Even if you don’t feel tired, try turning off all electronics (cell phones, computers, tablets, etc.) and close your eyes in a completely dark room before 10 pm at night. Even if you don’t fall asleep and stay asleep, you are lowering your stress levels and retraining your body to sleep when it should be sleeping.

• 4. Breathe Right – Deep, controlled breathing has astoundingly positive effects on adrenal health and your overall stress. There’s one way to do it while possibly doubling your life span at the same time.

• 5. Eat Your Greens and Brightly Colored Vegetables. There is sound evidence that eating the proper nutrition consistently can help the adrenals in a profound way – a key adrenal fatigue treatment.

• 6. Sip on Green Tea. Organic green tea has high levels of nutritive phytochemicals which support the adrenal glands. Matcha green tea is the best.

• 7. Do Your Best to Eliminate Stress – I know, easier said than done, but adding just one session of yoga, meditation, or tai chi a week can help greatly with overly-stressed adrenal glands.

• 8. Practice Dr. Kalish’s Method of healing adrenals by eating at least 40 grams of protein in the morning.

• 9. Consume Natural Salt like Himalayan Sea Salt. Natural salts contain many trace minerals, which help to support the adrenals. Adrenal fatigue reduces the production of the hormone aldosterone, which helps regulate salt in the body. Many people feel better when consuming adequate levels of real salt.

• 10. Connect with the Mother – Connect with Earth. Be sure to practice grounding by placing as much of your bare body (just your feet is sufficient) on the ground as possible.

• 11. Limit the use of stimulants like coffee when you are suffering from adrenal fatigue.

• 12. Don’t Over-Train at the Gym – Excessive Cardio or endurance training is really hard on the adrenals. When you are suffering from many of the symptoms listed in this article, it might be better to practice a more relaxing form of exercise.

• 13. Optimize DHEA Levels – When your adrenal glands are out of whack, your DHEA production will suffer greatly, and your stress hormone cortisol can roam freely inside of your body, destroying all the hard work you are doing to get your endocrine system back in shape. One of the best ways to support DHEA in the body is through magnesium supplementation.

• 14. Eat Your Medicinal Mushrooms – These include Reishi, Chaga, Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, etc. They all have stress-relieving properties and boost overall levels of health.

• 15. Add Adaptogenic Herbs – Ashwagandha, panax ginseng, and astragalus are great examples of herbs that support the body in stress relief and overall adrenal health. Add adaptogens as you can.

By practicing one or all of these natural adrenal-rescuing habits you should start feeling more rested, healthy, and energetic over time. Adrenal fatigue treatment is available; you just need to see what works for you.

Article published on http://naturalsociety.com/

Exposure to Certain Foods in Infancy May Prevent Future Allergies

Trials show this works with peanuts and eggs

For decades parents have been told to delay feeding their children certain foods they could be allergic to, including peanuts, eggs, wheat, and milk. But recent studies suggest exposing at-risk children to potential allergens as infants might actually prevent them from developing an allergy.

One such study is a follow-up to groundbreaking research published last year, which suggested feeding peanut-containing foods to babies protects them from developing an allergy through at least age 5, and that protection remained with the youngsters even when they stopped eating peanut-containing foods for a year.

According to the study authors, 4 years of exposure to peanut-containing foods is sufficient to prevent an allergy in high-risk children.

A second new study suggests this early prevention strategy might also work with eggs. These researchers found allergies to peanuts and eggs were less common in young children who started eating those foods at 3 months of age than in children who received only breast milk during infancy.

Statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show food allergies are increasing among children. In fact they increased 50% between 1997 and 2011. Scientists aren’t sure why this is the case, but there are numerous possible culprits.

Scientists believe the Western Diet has made people more susceptible to developing allergies and other illnesses. Researchers base this theory on studies showing a substantial difference in the gut bacteria of children from various parts of the world.

One such study compared the gut bacteria from 15 children in Florence Italy to gut bacteria in 14 children living in a rural African village in Burkina Faso. The Italian children ate a diet high in sugar, animal-fat, and calorie-dense foods, whereas the African children were mainly vegetarians, as their community produces its own food.

Researchers found the gut microbes of the European children showed far less biodiversity than the gut microbes of the African children.

Another theory says children in developed countries simply aren’t exposed to enough bacteria. In the West, children are exposed to controlled infectious diseases, thanks to proper sanitation and clean water. This is a good thing, but not all bacteria are evil organisms to be feared. Children in poor countries regularly die from illnesses that can be easily cured in the West, but they don’t have obesity, food allergies, asthma, gastrointestinal diseases, or autoimmune diseases.

It could be that parents merely wait too long to expose their children to certain foods. In an effort to prevent their child having a severe allergic reaction, they inadvertently set him or her up for allergies in the future.

The results from last year’s study led to new draft guidance issued recently by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The institute now recommends giving at-risk children peanut-containing foods as young as 4-6 months of age. Infants at risk are those with severe skin rashes or egg allergies. Allergy tests are recommended beforehand.

The institute will issue final guidelines following a 45-day comment period.

Dr. Gary Wong, a Hong Kong pediatrician who wrote an editorial in the online edition of the New England Journal of Medicine that accompanied the new studies, said:

“Evidence is really building up. It appears early introduction would be better off than avoidance.”

Article published on http://naturalsociety.com/

Your Heart is Probably Safe from Cholesterol and Eggs

Eat up, people. Another new analysis shows that diet high in cholesterol probably won’t give you a heart attack. Neither will a diet rich in eggs. Researchers from the University of Eastern Finland found eating a boatload of eggs and globs of cholesterol don’t raise risk of heart disease, even in individuals genetically predisposed.

Eggs are high in cholesterol, so people swore off them for years. A single medium-sized egg contains about 186 mg of cholesterol, which is about 62% of the recommended daily intake. A large egg contains around 213 mg of cholesterol.

For the study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Jyrki Virtanen and colleagues looked at the dietary habits of more than 1,000 men. At the time of the study, none of the participants had been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. Over the course of the 21-year study, 230 of them had a heart attack.

The scientists examined what the men ate and found no link between high consumption of dietary cholesterol and an increased risk of coronary heart disease.

Additionally, the study showed eating eggs was not linked to a higher incidence of coronary heart disease, nor with the thickening of carotid artery walls. The men in the highest control group consumed an average of 520 mg of cholesterol and ate about 1 egg a day.

Even among participants who were carriers of the ApoE4 phenotype, which affects cholesterol metabolism, no increased risk of heart disease was observed. People with the ApoE4 phenotype are more prone to high cholesterol and Alzheimer’s disease. Of the participants, 32.5% were carriers.

These findings support the American Heart Association’s revised dietary recommendations, released in 2000, suggesting that eating an egg a day is perfectly safe.

There have been very few studies linking the intake of dietary cholesterol to an increased risk of heart disease. In fact most nutritionists no longer recommend limiting the amount of dietary cholesterol people should ingest. The cholesterol myth has been busted.

Heart disease and most heart attacks are caused not by cholesterol, but by the buildup of atherosclerotic plaque resulting from inflammation and calcium deposits which can build up and rupture or clog arteries. Sometimes cholesterol is found in this plaque, but cholesterol is waxy and pliable and may actually be there to provide healing.

Despite the many low-fat products on the market, heart disease has continued to rise, and many people with low cholesterol have died from heart attacks and cardiovascular disease.

Article published on http://naturalsociety.com/

Slashing Sugar Makes Kids Healthier in Just 10 Days

They don't even have to quit junk foods or fatty foods

Although it may sound like a bad infomercial, a study financed by the National Institutes of Health has shown that cutting added sugar in children’s diets can improve their overall health incredibly quickly.

The study observed 43 obese children and found that eliminating or reducing added sugar, even while keeping the same number of calories and savory junk foods in their diets, led to improving many obesity-related health issues in just ten days. The children who were selected were not only obese, but also suffered from a chronic metabolic disorder, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Despite no change in caloric intake and other fatty foods, the children lowered their blood pressure and cholesterol, and several even lost some weight. During the experiment, the children replaced sugary cereals and pastries with bagels, and sugary dishes like chicken teriyaki with hamburgers or turkey hot dogs.

They were still allowed as much fatty food as they desired during the experiment. Several of the children also had improved function in their liver and kidneys and several reported feeling “too full” during the experiment. Yet, 42 out of 43 of the participants said they found the new diet to be appetizing.

Dr. Robert Lustig, a pediatric endocrinologist at Benioff’s Children’s Hospital at the University of California San Francisco said of the study:

“This paper says we can turn a child’s metabolic health around in 10 days without changing calories and without changing weight – just by taking the added sugars out of their diet. From a clinical standpoint, from a health care standpoint, that’s very important.”

While this study indicates a major step forward in learning about nutrition, it should also be noted that many scientists and nutritionists remain skeptical.

Barry Popkin, nutrition professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, advocates for a tax on sugary drinks, but remains a little wary of the results of the new study.

“While this work is suggestive of a dramatic beneficial health effect, there are too many careful, well-controlled studies on this topic that do not find such unique, dramatic results.”

Scientists and nutritionists hope to expand on this study to see if the findings can be replicated.

Article published on http://naturalsociety.com/

16 Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms – Signs of Low Magnesium Levels

You may know what magnesium is, but do you know how important the mineral can be for your health? Magnesium is involved with over 300 metabolic processes in our bodies, leading to the mineral being called the ‘master mineral’.  So what exactly does it mean to have a magnesium deficiency, and what are some magnesium deficiency symptoms?

Why Supplementing with Magnesium is a Good Idea

Firstly, magnesium is necessary for the proper transportation of calcium across cell membranes. Why? Calcium needs other nutrients that help get calcium into bone matter. Those other nutrients are silica, vitamin D, vitamin K, and, you guessed it – magnesium. Excessive calcium intake has been linked to heart health issues by staying in the blood long enough to calcify into arterial plaque.

Minerals are more important than vitamins, which struggle actually struggle without minerals. Thanks to modern monoculture farming methods that rely heavily on using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides that are absorbed into the soil, out topsoil has been heavily depleted of its mineral content.

The master mineral magnesium is missing from most of our topsoil, leaving the vast majority, perhaps 80%, with a failure to meet even the USDA’s recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of 240 to 420 millgrams (based on age). It’s important to note that government RDAs are known to be well below optimum levels. Many experts think our magnesium levelsshould be twice the amount.

While observing bodily signs can help, you may want to have some tests administered in the end to test whether or not you’re deficient in magnesium. Serum or blood level measurements are usually inadequate because magnesium operates on a cellular level and accumulates in organ and nerve tissue. So even good results with blood testing are very often deceptive, leaving one with a magnesium deficiency. One effective test developed for use by health professionals is the Exa Test™.

If testing is unavailable, put your symptom watch hat on. There are many symptoms of magnesium deficiency that relate to cardiovascular, heart, neurological, and muscular dysfunction and disease.

These various magnesium deficiency symptoms are numerous because of the mineral’s diverse role in so many different cellular metabolic functions.

16 Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms

As mentioned, magnesium is a mineral responsible for numerous bodily processes. An anti-inflammatory mineral offering protection against illnesses like arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease, magnesium has been used to remedy problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, respiratory issues, and much more. But as you may suspect, just as upping magnesium intake can solve problems, a magnesium deficiency could lead to many of those same issues and much more.

Here are 16 signs of a magnesium deficiency.

• Calcium deficiency
• Poor heart health
• Weakness
• Muscle cramps
• Tremors
• Nausea
• Anxiety
• High blood pressure
• Type II diabetes
• Respiratory issues
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Potassium deficiency
• Difficulty swallowing
• Poor memory
• Confusion

It’s important to note that while these are symptoms of a magnesium deficiency, it doesn’t necessarily mean you are definitely deficient in magnesium if you experience the above issues.

How to Safely Supplement Magnesium

It’s almost impossible to overdose magnesium by supplementing, but consuming too much magnesium is still not a great idea. Too much of the mineral could lead to some side effects like irregular heartbeat or slowed breathing. Similar to oral ascorbic acid C, there is a bowel tolerance threshold that brings on diarrhea if exceeded. Not all magnesium supplements are easily absorbed, either.

You can find inexpensive products that feature magnesium citrate, which is among the most readily absorbed forms of magnesium supplements.

You can also apply transdermal magnesium chloride topically to be absorbed internally through the skin. Magnesium chloride is also known as magnesium oil, though not really an oil. It’s a briny solution from ancient sea beds. It is available through various online sources. Google magnesium oil products.

If you don’t want to supplement and simply want to acquire magnesium through food sources, here are a few foods that can relieve you of any magnesium deficiency symptoms:

• Pumpkin seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Soybeans
• Black beans
• Cashews
• Spinach
• Squash
• Sesame seeds
• Almonds
• Okra

Article published on http://naturalsociety.com/

Home Remedies for Hemorrhoids – 6 Natural Treatments

Did you know that an estimated 50% of the United States population will experience hemorrhoids by age 50? Characterized by swollen, inflamed veins within the rectum, hemorrhoids were actually one of the top health trends in 2012, leading to massive advertising for creams and other treatments. But you’ll be happy to know that there are many effectivehome remedies for hemorrhoids and numerous prevention tips. So why not go natural when searching for hemorrhoid treatment?

A Little About Hemorrhoids

Affecting both men and women, hemorrhoids are the result of inflamed, swollen veins in your rectum and anus, that can form either internally or externally. More often than not, this unpleasant issue is a result of straining to have a bowel movement, and is especially experienced by those suffering from constipation, the elderly, and pregnant women. Luckily for everyone, hemorrhoids aren’t particularly harmful and are more of a nuisance than anything, so don’t worry! But the issue should still be resolved one way or another, as they can cause more problems than you want to deal with in the long run.

Symptoms of Hemorrhoids

The most common symptom for hemorrhoids is the presence of blood. If the hemorrhoid is internal, then the blood will be bright red and will be most noticeable on toilet paper. If external, you could experience a blood clot around your anus or swelling. Overall, common symptoms include:

• Bleeding

• Swelling

• Itching

• Irritation

• Blood clots or lumps around the anus

• Anal pain

Note that if you incorporate some natural hemorrhoid treatments and follow the prevention tips below, your symptoms may very well disappear as the issue reverses.

6 Home Remedies for Hemorrhoids

• Apple Cider Vinegar – Using apple cider vinegar is one of the most popular natural treatments for hemorrhoids. Simply soak a cotton ball or some toilet paper with ACV and apply it to the hemorrhoid area. Repeat this process until the inflammation disappears and symptoms resolve. You should see improvement instantly. Alternatively, add some ACV (half a cup) to a sitz bath.

• Rutin – A health-promoting compound found in numerous plants such as buckwheat, oranges, grapefruit, lemon, cranberries, and asparagus (to name a few), rutin is another home remedy often used for hemorrhoids. Buying it in supplement form may be the best option. One individual on Earthclinic says: “I have had a hemmroid for almost a year now. Just last week I started taking Rutin 500mg twice a day, in the morning and one before going to bed. … taking Rutin for only a week the inflammation has gone down and my hemmroid thankfully is almost gone, it’s less than a size of a pea today.”

• Coconut Oil – Apply coconut oil directly to hemorrhoids, rinse and repeat. In addition to symptoms subsiding, the hemorrhoids should disappear over the course of just a few days.

• Witch Hazel – An astringent and healing tree, witch hazel is one of the oldest known natural remedies for hemorrhoids. Just soak a pad or cotton ball with witch hazel and apply it to the area.

• Aloe Vera – As with the above treatments, simply apply aloe vera to the affected area to relieve symptoms.

• Squat, Don’t Sit – This is actually heavily important and very overlooked. Conventional toilets are highly unnatural, and may be one reason hemorrhoids are rarely seen in less developed countries, where where squatting is done when going to the bathroom. Sitting down to pass a bowel movement puts tremendous strain on the rectum while squatting straightens the rectum and relaxes the puborectalis muscle. This is tip should be done along with any home remedies for hemorrhoids you may use.

Causes and Necessary Prevention Tips – The Best “Treatment”

The most common causes of hemorrhoids are straining during bowel movements and obesity. If you’re straining during bowel movements, there is no doubt that you are suffering from constipation, and obesity only heightens your chance of experiencing these digestive issues. The best solution for hemorrhoids is – you guessed it – to not have them at all!

Follow these essential hemorrhoid prevention tips and you may not even have to delve into any hemorrhoid treatments.

• Exercise and Lose Weight – Being overweight or obese, along with being highly inactive, is the perfect path for a complete decline in health. If you aren’t a healthy weight and aren’t moving, your organs and internal system as a whole becomes sluggish and works at low levels. Start exercising and losing weight to fix the problem and keep your digestive tract working.

• Up Fiber Intake: Eat Plenty of Vegetables, Fruit  – Seeing as hemorrhoids result from constipation and straining, it should be no surprise that upping fiber intake can help mend the issue. Fiber helps soften stools and is essential for colon health and digestive health as a whole. This nutrient helps to clean out the gastrointestinal system, preventing constipation and allowing the colon to work at greater levels of efficiency. Sources of fiber include: vegetables of all kinds, flax seeds, almonds, pecans, pistachios, prunes, pears, and beans. Include these foods in your diet while trying the other home remedies for hemorrhoids.

• Take Probiotics and Consume Probiotic-Rich Foods – Probiotics are essential for balancing the bacteria in your gut, which can prevent constipation and absolutely promotes overall health. Either take a high-quality probiotic supplement, or consume more probiotic-rich foods such as fermented foods like fermented cheese, yogurt, sauerkraut, Korean kimchi, and numerous fermented drinks like kombucha tea.

• Hydrate – Staying hydrated with water seems to be the number one recommendation for almost any health ailment. Water helps cleanse your internal system and hydrates your entire body. Along with fiber, drinking more water will help to soften stools and hopefully reduce the need for straining during a bowel movement.

Other Considerations for Hemorrhoid Treatment

• Soaking the area in warm water a few times a day for 10-15 minute periods can reduce inflammation and help relieve symptoms. You may also take a sitz bath and add a half cup of apple cider vinegar.

• Keep the area clean, bathing daily. Don’t use soap on the area as it will likely just cause irritation. Use moist toilet paper to dab the area after a bowel movement to lessen friction from wiping.

• Apply ice packs or cold compresses to relieve swelling.

As always, be sure to share any home remedies for hemorrhoids that work for you, as well as what hasn’t worked for you. It’s important to help natural treatments live on.

Article published on http://naturalsociety.com/

Ancient Medicine: Black Seed Oil’s 21 Powerful Health Benefits

Also known as cumin or caraway seed, black seed (Nigella sativa) has been used for over 2000 years and is viewed as a healing wonder, with research suggesting that it could be helpful in fighting illnesses of all kinds. Over 600 peer-reviewed studies prove that this amazing little seed has more than 20 ‘pharmacological actions‘ on the body when taken in food or as a supplement. Yes, black seed oil benefits are plentiful, and you will learn about them here.

The earliest medicinal application of black seed is traced back to ancient Egypt. The Assyrians there called black seed “tin tir” and ingested it to cure stomach problems. Externally, they used it to treat the eyes, nose, and mouth, and for skin inflammations such as rashes, bites, and sores. The Egyptians called it a panacea, and a bottle of it was even found in Tutankhamen’s tomb.

Nigella Sativa has (Minimally) These Pharmacological Actions on the Body

• 1. Analgesic (pain-killing)
• 2. Anti-bacterial
• 3. Anti-ulcer
• 4. Anti-inflammatory
• 5. Antihistamine
• 6. Anti-cancer
• 7. Anti-cholinergic
• 8. Anti-fungal
• 9. Anti-hypertensive
• 10. Antioxidant
• 11. Antispasmodic
• 12. Antiviral
• 13. Bronchodilator
• 14. Gluconeogenesis inhibitor (anti-diabetic)
• 15. Hepatoprotective (liver protecting)
• 16.Hypotensive
• 17. Insulin sensitizing
• 18. Interferon inducer
• 19. Leukotriene antagonist
• 20. Renoprotective (kidney protecting)
• 21. Tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitor

Many Black Seed Oil Benefits Abound

Just a few highlights of the many black seed oil benefits on health include:

• There are three natural phytochemical compounds in black seed oil that produce a tremendous benefit that researchers were very surprised to discover. The three compounds are thymoquinone (TQ), thymohydroquinone (THQ), and thymol. Scientists learned that all three compounds show 100% inhibition for 30 different pathogens that were evaluated; TQ was the best anti-fungal compound against dermatophytes and yeasts, and thymol was the best anti-fungal against mold.

• Phytochemicals in black seed help protect against cancer. Croatian scientists evaluated the antitumor activity of thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone in mice and discovered that the two phytochemicals in black seed oil resulted in a 52% decrease in tumor cells! Being rich in these important phytonutrients, black seed works to fend off cancer through a variety of mechanisms:

• Anti-proliferation
• Apoptosis induction
• Cell cycle arrest
• Reactive oxygen species generation
• Anti-metastasis
• Anti-angiogenesis

• Chronic administration of Nigella sativa changes pro and anti-inflammatory proteins. The seed may act as a balancing factor on lymphocytes.

• Black seed supports liver health. Almost all toxins that affect our bodies, at some point, must go through the liver. The bile from the liver digests fats, and many toxins are stored in fat. Anyone who has taken lots of antibiotics or other medications will also suffer from decreased liver functioning, as the liver becomes over-taxed trying to rid the body of chemical residues. In recent studies, scientists have found that black seed oil prevents damage by providing protection against toxins.

• Black seed oil causes “gradual partial regeneration of pancreatic beta-cells, increases the lowered serum insulin concentrations, and decreases the elevated serum glucose,” according to an article in the Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. The research (on mice) suggests that diabetics could experience support, whether they have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. In another study, two grams of black seed a day results in “reduced fasting glucose, decreased insulin resistance, increased beta-cell function, and reduced glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in human subjects.”

• Black seed oil may aid in weight loss. Among black seed oil benefits is the substance’s ability to aid in weight loss. The phytochemicals contain anti-obesity properties. Although Nigella sativa is not traditionally believed to treat obesity, it is a wonderful anti-inflammatory agent that helps people lose weight in the same way that it helps diabetics. Specifically, it may decrease weight-gain triggers by controlling appetite, balancing blood glucose levels, helping rid the body of toxins by supporting the liver, and balancing triglycerides. One study says that, in addition to other herbs, Nigella sativa seemed to ‘have satisfactory anti-obesity effects.’

• Black seed oil can combat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). While also effective against other infections, black seed oil is especially effective at killing MRSA. As more people experience infections that are resistant to antibiotics, black seed oil just might be the answer to faster, more thorough healing. More research is needed, though.

• Nigella sativa helps to lower blood pressure. The use of 100 and 200 mg of black seed extract twice daily for 2 months was found to have a blood pressure-lowering effect in patients with mild hypertension. In just eight weeks, people who used black seed oil experienced profound results.

• Post-surgical scar prevention – Tested on areas of post-operative trauma, Nigella sativa was found to protect peritoneal surfaces from scarring or adhesion formation.

• Thymoquinone, an extract from black seed oil, was shown to protect neurons against synapse damage, according to a study published in Neuroscience Letters. Thus, Nigella sativa could be therapeutic for people with Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

• Black seed guards against respiratory ailments. A randomized, placebo-controlled study of chemical war victims was conducted by researchers from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. The results showed that boiled water extracts of black seed improved pulmonary function test values, reduced respiratory symptoms and chest wheezing, and reduced the need for drug treatment.

• Black seed helps people recover from drug addiction. A study of 35 opiate addicts found black seed was an effective therapy in long-term treatment of opioid dependence.

This amazing seed is…well…kind of amazing! Want to read further on black seed health benefits? You can! And if you have any black seed oil benefits to share below, be sure to write a comment – we could have missed something!

Article published on http://naturalsociety.com/