Therapeutic use of essential oils is beginning to be recognized in the United States as a valid modality for treating illness. There is still significant resistance to the science of Aromatherapy, but such is the resistance from the institutional-medicine/pharmaceutical-industrial complex to most ‘natural’ health treatments. ‘Big Pharma’ is THE industry with the highest average profit margins on earth — and is dedicated to producing, patenting, marketing selling new, unnatural (and therefore ‘patent-able’) chemical compounds that are supposed to answer every need of health and wellness. While some formulations do much good for the world (modern medicine has nearly eradicated several life-threatening illnesses from the planet), other medicines simply mask symptoms for a time, and others are downright dangerous.

Alternative therapies make up nearly ALL of the medicine ever used on Earth, and in many respects, we’re doing very well as a species — we must have been doing something right all that time. Many folks consider our connection to nature critical to our continued success on the planet, and that natural medicine must play a leading role. Essential oils turn out to be some of nature’s greatest gifts; they are potent chemicals created naturally by plants and are easily accessible to us. They’re also easy to use, relatively safe, and just happen to smell wonderful. What really is the science of Aromatherapy, and how might you learn to employ it in your wellness program? Let’s have a look…

There is an amazing disregard for natural healing in the mainstream media – despite the fact that so many of today’s ‘modern medicines’ are derived directly from plant compounds. There are HUNDREDS of plants that are known to contain anti-cancer compounds, for example. Many of these without the side-effects of chemotherapy (it takes a skilled, knowledgeable Naturopathic doctor to develop an effective personal protocol for this type of work, but success is certainly possible). This brings us to the amazing derision placed upon the science of Aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is purely the science of therapeutic use, for physiological as well as psychological imbalances and disorders, of naturally-produced volatile aromatic plant chemicals. It may be that the term ‘Aromatherapy’ lends itself to being pigeon-holed into mystical ‘new age’ hocus-pocus, but in reality, it is simply the practice of using a particular class of natural compounds to improve one’s health, wellness and well-being.

The dichotomy of deriding aromatherapy for it’s unfounded healing potentials and extolling its virtues as effective medicine is curious. Take the recent ‘proof’ of enteric-coated capsules of Peppermint essential oil being extremely effective in treating the sometimes debilitating symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS. IBS is a result of unchecked growth of ‘unfriendly’ bacterial in a weakened digestive system. Western medicine has been hard-pressed to find a safe and effective long-term treatment. Enter the steam distilled essential oil of whole peppermint herb – taken in capsules as to be well tolerated by those with sensitive stomachs, and to be released in the region of most effect – the intestines. The treatment has been widely accepted mostly due to it’s ‘proven’ efficacy in controlled studies. Peppermint has the wonderful result of eliminating the disease-causing microorganisms, while leaving the natural and healthy ‘bugs’ in the digestive system to do their job.

Another widely-published effect of a particular essential oil is that of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) for the treatment of oral and genital herpes. The herpes simplex virus, or HSV, is one that a patient is thought to have to live with for the rest of their lives once contracted. The virus remains dormant in the nervous system until times of stress reduce immune system function enough to allow recurrence of painful sores and legions. It’s not fun, nor is it considered ‘curable’ by the American medical establishment. However, in many university studies performed in Germany, Lemon Balm (as well as other combinations of essential oils containing the same ant-viral compounds) has been shown very effective at reducing the pain, duration, and frequency of outbreaks through topical application. One professor has even proclaimed that repeated use before and during outbreaks can lead to complete remission of the disease. Again, Aromatherapy to the rescue!

On the ’soft side’ of essential oil use, that of inhalation or massage-based ‘aroma’ therapy, it is important first to note that MANY health professionals consider stress to be the number one cause of all disease. The body, lead by the mind, becomes overburdened in a variety of ways which lead to breakdown of particular systems (immune, circulatory, etc). Time and time again, Lavender and other essential oils have been reported by patients, even in controlled studies, to reduce stress levels. As the understanding of the mind-body connection to health and well-being grows, the importance of stress reduction techniques in natural health programs is coming to the forefront. Inhalation of essential oils is but one possible technique, but a powerful one at that. Upon comparison to Valium – the most ubiquitous of anti-stress agents in the Western world, a headline in the Journal of Essential Oil Research proclaimed “Lavender beats benzodiazepines” for stress reduction. This is one commonly-used anti-stress oil; there are many, many others – some people don’t like Lavender, but the may like Neroli, Bergamot, Sweet Orange, or one of hundreds of other oils that may reduce stress and have ‘downstream’ effects of improved health and wellbeing.

Aromatherapy certainly deserves it’s place in the realm of medical treatments available today – some consider essential oils the absolute best route of treatment for certain infectious illnesses (essential oils have a wide range of antimicrobial and anti-viral effects). Oils are not a cure all, nor are they wonder drugs. They are effective plant medicines which should be used in appropriate situations with the respect they deserve. There are many well-written, interesting guides to medicinal use of essential oils; noted authors are Kurt Schnaubelt, Robert Tisserand, and Jane Buckley, among others. Find one or more of these texts and educate yourself! You’ll find a whole new world opening up in your natural health and wellness choices.

The author is proponent of the varied and potent healing actions of aromatherapy essential oils. For more, see http://www.anandaapothecary.com.

My new Acid Reflux program has given me amazing results!

Apart from having good response to the program, I have also got first hand report from you guy’s that my acid reflux program has really helped.

With any chronic condition such as acid reflux can be, one tends to notice themes when reading through client correspondence. One in particular is the accompanying depression symptoms that accompany chronic acid reflux.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux, is a health condition in which liquid or food comes up from the stomach into the esophagus, causing pain and/or heartburn.

The lower esophageal sphincter (LED) muscles are responsible for closing and opening the esophagus. These muscles act as a valve and when working properly, prevent food and liquids from the stomach from coming back up into the esophagus.

Chest pain, bad throat, dry cough, bad breath and difficulty swallowing are reported by them. Some people experience long term acid reflux disease but they don’t experience heartburn.

People who suffer at least two per week are considered that they suffer from chronic acid reflux. It does not only bring pain, in long term it can lead to erosion of tooth enamel, cancer, throat damage and respiratory damage.

As with other chronic conditions, chronic GERD sufferers experience over a thirty percent chance of developing symptoms of depression, compared to roughly ten percent of otherwise healthy people.

It seems that each condition feeds the other. Because of fear of symptoms of acid reflux, people tend not to go out to eat, or socialize as much with friends which can lead to a “shut in” feeling.

Moreover, people do not to many things they would otherwise love to do. They just spend most of their time thinking about different ways to manage the problem.

As ironic as it seems, some people’s unhealthy lifestyles can lead to depression on their own or be exacerbated by GERD. Take alcohol consumption for example. This is a depressive drug to begin with and can trigger acid reflux.

Even if you do not experience depression from your acid reflux condition I would recommend you to try the natural acid reflux programs. They come with proven results and with no side effects.

EL331014

Christian Goodman is a most known natural health researcher and the writer of many revolutionary natural health alternative methods. One of his team’s recent breakthroughs is the Acid Reflux Relief Program. You can know more about Christian on his Natural Health alternativesBlog.

Everyone gets the occasional headache, but some headaches get so bad they won’t go away. While drugs treat the symptoms, they often ignore the underlying cause of the problem.

Many of the more severe headache symptoms are slow to respond to chemical treatment, which when made more intense to address the headache, can have long lasting and often negative effects to the body when used over time. This is why many people with chronic head pain look to the more natural (and very often the more effective alternative) solution of chiropractic care.

Some Types of Headaches

In order to better treat any type of condition, it is first important to try to understand what is causing the problem. Since there are many different types of headaches, some can be treated better by chiropractic than some of the others. Headaches can be caused by

-changes in vascular constriction

-muscle tension

-congestion of the sinuses

These headaches can refer or radiate pain all over your head and they can feel like they’re centered in many different locations, but it is most important to realize that chiropractic seems to work best in the types of headaches that are based around muscle tension and changes to vascular flow. Sinus headaches have also had success, but they are likely to have a more complicated cause.

The three main types of headaches most often found in chiropractic offices are:

-migraine headaches

-tension headaches

-Cervicogenic headaches (headaches from the neck)

The last kind of headache mentioned can sound a bit scary, but cervicogenic means a headache that is being caused by the bones, muscles, or nerves of neck.

Tension Headaches

If we become stressed, scared, or angry, your body will respond with increased muscle tension in the head, neck, and shoulders. This reaction is called the fight or flight response, and it is the normal response to stress. If we are stressed often (as most of us are) and we can neither run or fight, the muscle tension becomes a habit.

This can lead to some imbalances in the way we hold our body, which in turn leads to more muscle tension and pain. Chiropractic treatment can relax these muscles and realign the spine’s structure to put and end to the vicious cycle of pain. Those seeking chiropractic care for tension headaches can often see a marked improvement in just a few treatments as the nerves become less irritated and the muscles begin to relax.

Migraine Headaches

Migraines are brought about by changes in vascular flow, triggered by a variety of factors such as different smells, foods, weather, hormonal changes, and stress. These often very painful headaches do not always start off as pain. They can begin with nausea or the person may experience a halo effect called a visual aura.

Recent studies have shown chiropractic treatment may play a significant role in reducing the number of migraines a person has. By careful manipulation of the neck and spine, chiropractic adjustments may be able to reduce nerve irritation in the spine, thus preventing radiating or referred pain, and improve vascular flow.

Treatment

Chiropractic care centers around manipulation of the spine and neck to improve blood flow and posture. To reduce the headaches, the chiropractor will perform spinal adjustments using his hands, but may also include massage, trigger point therapy, or other types of complementary treatments to address the problem. The doctor of chiropractic will probably also include some home care recommendations such as stretching exercises and posture education to help keep things balanced between visits.

Philip Vincent is a health care educator. Need a Chiropractor in Houston? Consider this Houston Chiropractor.

categories: chiropractic,chiropractor,headache,headaches,alternative medicine,natural health,pain relief,neck pain,wellness,health,health and fitness,conditions,conditions and diseases,exercise

It’s early in the morning, and you head for the bathroom to throw a little cold water on your face to get yourself going. “Ouch!” you say as the water stings. You certainly know what that means. Those cracks at the sides of your mouth feel like paper cuts, and you know you’re in for another miserable bout. “Here we go again!” you groan.

After trying everything, here they are again. Do you choose to just suffer through it, with all the sideways glances in public? Or will it be another expensive trip to the doctor, for yet another expensive prescription for medication you’ve already tried anyway? Maybe a specialist this time is the answer.

Despite making every reasonable effort, you’re still left with the question unanswered: What is the BEST angular cheilitis cure? Is there a treatment that actually works? Is a lasting cure for the painful, ugly sores embarrassing you from the corners of your mouth actually possible? You need to know that there are a whole group of people who say that, yes, there is an angular cheilitis cure with lasting results, a way to get rid of this chronic skin condition permanently.

What you must do first is make sure you’ve done all you can to cover the basic steps in your treatment. You need to understand what can cause cheilitis and what conditions allow it to develop initially. This allows you to get to the root of the problem and can help you to the fastest and most effective complete treatment.

Angular cheilitis has a few common factors that can contribute to it in the first place. Nutritional deficiencies, especially of B vitamins, zinc, and iron, constantly biting on pens and pencils or the habit of licking the lips, and dentures that aren’t properly fitted are among those seen most often. Consider these carefully, and remedy any that apply in your case.

If you’ve already made all of these needed adjustments but you continue to suffer from recurrent outbreaks of cheilitis, you may do well to look into the answer that has helped end many former sufferers’ misery for good. This is the solution one mom found while searching desperately for a real cure, and she has been providing this information to others since discovering it.

Want to find out more about the best angular cheilitis treatment, then visit Keree Jenkin’s site on how to choose the best cure for angular cheilitis for you.

categories: angular cheilitis,skin disorders,oral health,immune health,health,natural health,family,elderly

Millions of people complain of constipation. If you are one of the millions that have problems with constipation don’t ignore the problem. People that opt to do nothing about their irregular bowel habits will end up having serious health problems. Curing your constipation issues is simple if you use a natural colon cleanser.

What causes constipation? The most obvious answer would be not getting enough fiber in your diet. However, this is just one cause of constipation. There are many others that you may not be aware of. You need to be aware of all the causes of constipation so that you can keep if from happening.

One of the causes of constipation is not heeding the call to go to the bathroom. How many times have you been at work or out in public and held it in because you didn’t want to take the time to go to the bathroom? Holding in it will damage the nerves that line the bowel. When these nerves become damaged the colon will not be able to work as it should.

If you are prescribed antibiotics for an illness you need to be aware that these antibiotics can cause constipation. As these drugs kill off the bacteria that are making you sick they also upset the delicate balance of good and bad bacteria that is found in your bowel. The good bacteria are there to help digest foods and keep the bad bacteria under control. Any time this balance is upset constipation can be the result. A natural colon cleanser that contains probiotics can remedy this problem.

Constipation can be caused by other things besides what is written here. If you start to notice that your bowels are not moving as often as they should, or you are feeling bloated then you need to find a good natural colon cleanser. By keeping constipation under control you protect yourself from chronic health problems.

To find out which colon cleanser can improve your health visit natural colon cleanser to read reviews and testimonials of the very best Colon Cleansers on the market that come with a complete satisfaction money back guarantee. Click Natural Colon Cleanser today for essential colon health.

Most practitioners of aroma-therapeutics hold this opinion: THE most effective use of essential oils for health is for the prevention and treatment of infectious illness. Aromatherapy in the USA is still mostly relegated to New Age “hocus pocus”, and some pretty-smelling little bottles of liquid. However, in recent years scientific researchers have compiled HUGE amounts of data regarding the effectiveness of essential oils in combating bacterial and viral infections. The oils protect us from infection in a number of ways, and it’s very simple to use essential oils at home for their protective effects. Lets look at how to use essential oils for this purpose, and which oils to choose for best results.

Why Are Essential Oils Such Effective Antimicrobial Medicines?

An essential oil is simply a form of herbal medicine, like a tincture, extract or encapsulated herd concentrate. The incredible medicine found in essential oils stems from them being the primary immune defense for plants. Just like humans and other animals, plants also must defend themselves against bacteria and viruses. And it happens that essential oils are perfectly compatible with human physiology — they are easily and quickly absorbed, and destroy microbes in our bodies just as they would in plants. Further, they even enhance our cells in such a way as to make them more resistant to infection, and even make our immune cells more effective at removing foreign invaders — all from these great smelling natural plant extracts.

Scientific Support: Antibacterial, Antiviral and Immune-Supportive Effects

For the treatment and prevention of infectious illness, essential oils are used for two purposes: the general strengthening of the immune system and the direct eradication of viruses. A great many peer-reviewed research papers have been produced showing the efficacy of essential oils for both purposes. Using the database of the National Institute of Health (www.pubmed.gov) one can review the data by searching for terms such as ‘essential oil virus’ (currently producing 93 results) or ‘essential oil immune’ (producing 143 results) and the like. Essential oils have been shown to actually increase the power of lymphocytes and increase the speed at which the immune system produces antibodies to eliminate an infection. And of course many essential oils are highly-regarded antibacterial agents (we all know about Tea Tree and Oregano), and a few of them have been shown to destroy viruses directly (Laurus Nobilis was shown to eradicate the virus causing SARS, and very recently Tea Tree was shown to be effective against the Swine Flu virus).

The Practices for Cold and Flu Prevention

So how can you employ essential oils for the health of your family and children? Or for those in clinical settings, how can oils be used to prevent the spread of infection? There are two primary features to the oils that you’ll want to utilize: their direct eradication of microbes in the air, and their ability to support our immune systems to prevent infection within our bodies. There are two methods of using essential oils for these purposes: Diffusion and topical application. Both these methods are also useful if one has already caught a cold or flu, particularly in the early stages.

Easy, Profound Benefits Through Diffusion

Diffusing essential oils is one of three primary modalities of aromatherapy (the other two being aroma-massage and ingestion). Evaporating the oils in your environment offers several important benefits: the air is disinfected, the scent of the oils is apparent — offering mood lifting effects, and secondary immune-enhancing effects for some people, and the oils are inhaled and absorbed by the body. This is an exceptionally useful means of using the oils for immune support in crowded environments, having the potential effect of reducing the spread of contagions. Perhaps the most important effect is the direct contact of the essential oils with our respiratory system — the sinuses and the lungs — where having cells be more resistant to infection can have the most beneficial result.

The Right Diffuser For The Job

For disinfecting the air in any enclosed space, you’ll want to use a “nebulizing” diffuser — one that makes a fine mist of essential oils that easily evaporates. There are two styles of nebulizing diffuser: “cold air” and “ultrasonic”. The cold air units make a mist of pure essential oil, while the ultrasonic units mix oils with water. The cold air units will output the highest concentration of oils of any diffuser type; though the ultrasonic units are nice for very try conditions. Be sure to set up your diffuser with a timer system, so the diffuser only cycles on for a few minutes every hour — there’s no need to over-saturate the air. Most therapeutic protocols recommend diffusing the oils for about 7 minutes for every hour; this can be done continually throughout the day and night. Remember that for children, you’ll want to keep the oil concentration to a minimum — perhaps just enough oil in the air so the scent can just be detected.

Topical Application: Massages and Baths

Because essential oils pass readily through human tissue, topical application is also particularly effective. For this purpose, the essential oils are diluted in another oil like Sweet Almond, Jojoba, or Coconut (virgin Coconut oil is fast becoming popular for this particular therapeutic purpose, as it is considered to have antimicrobial actions even by itself — just warm until liquid to mix with essential oils). A 5% dilution of essential oils in the “carrier oil” is common for adults (this is 40 drops total essential oils per fluid ounce of carrier — we’ll look at some recipes in a moment). Use up to a 10% dilution if applying to the feet. For children, use only a 1-3% dilution (the lower dilutions for the younger ones). Do not use essential oils with infants unless you’re guided by a professional. A simple aroma-therapy bath can be had just by adding a tablespoon of your formula to a bath once its already drawn, swirling the oils into the water. A deep soak while the pores and sinuses are open is a time-honored treatment method.

Therapeutic Immune-Stimulating Massage

Simple massage can be performed one or two times daily to the most receptive areas of the body. The feet are reputed to be highly receptive for all aroma-therapeutic treatments, including immune-support. Simply massage both feet thoroughly with the mixture; if you have access to a reflexology chart, you can focus extra attention to the respiratory and lymph systems. Of course, these are the important areas of the body to massage directly as well: the chest, the neck, the armpits, and being careful about sensitivity (dilute further if necessary) the sinuses and temples, and the groin area.

Choosing The Essential Oils

The list of antimicrobial and immune-supportive oils is lengthy; here we’ll narrow it down as much as possible to those that are also highly regarded as specifically antiviral as well. Melissa — also called “lemon balm” may be the most versatile, all-around immune-supportive essential oil. It is well-known to make cells resistant to viral infection, and its aroma is one that has statistically significant antidepressant properties. It is thought to potentate the effects of other oils, and because of its very high potency, can be used in very small percentages in relation to other oils. Tea Tree is the most widely studied of the antibacterial and antiviral oils, and the only essential oil thus far shown to specifically eradicate H1N1 influenza. Bay Laurel — or “laurus nobilis” has been shown to have direct action against against a highly infectious virus causing severe respiratory ailments. Narrow-leaf Eucalyptus has both antiviral and proven immune-modulating actions. There are several other important oils worth mentioning: Lavender (great for children), Hyssop, Thyme, and Rosemary Verbenone.

Taking into account both the scientific research AND the safety of oils for use with all-ages, Bay Laurel, Eucalyptus Radiata, Tea Tree and Lavender may be the most effective, safe, and affordable oils available. These oils generally have pleasant aromas and are readily available. (Note: Tea Tree MUST be from a fresh, high quality source for a pleasing scent — otherwise its aroma can be so medicinal that you, and particularly your children, will avoid using it. If the aroma is not to your liking, try Rosalina, another highly-regarded antimicrobial Australian oil with a more pleasant scent). For diffuser use, try equal parts of these oils. For topical application, use 10 drops of each oil in Coconut oil (you can double the concentration for application to the feet) — this same mixture can be added to the bath. Again, for children, reduce the concentration appropriately for their age, and for diffuser use, there should only be enough aroma in the air so the scent can JUST be detected and no more.

Essential Oils: A Simple Means to Vibrant Health

Regular use throughout the Fall and Winter months is an excellent way of supporting immune function and providing antimicrobial protection for your whole family, co-workers or clients and customers. The oils work in so many ways: through disinfection, immune system stimulation, and supporting overall well-being which then strengthens our immunity to infectious illness. They’re easy to use, have scientific backing for their efficacy, and even provide a doorway to tapping into the vast medicinal potential of aroma-medicine. These wonderful features really make them worth a try!

You may even try using Flower Essences like Rescue Remedy, along with calming essential oils during the holiday season. For more, visit www.anandaapothecary.com

categories: aromatherapy,essential oils,illness,disease,alternative medicine,alternative health,natural health,natural wellness,massage,travel,family,children,women,health

As long as health products have been marketed and sold, there have always been sects of the population that have wanted to go the natural route and try to remedy their ills at home. There is a lot of money to be made by companies selling their products in stores for large sums of money, so it makes sense that there are those who would try and save money by using low-cost home remedies.

Yet what was less predictable is that companies would start to make and sell natural health remedies. The fact of the matter is that in this society, where there is demand there will inevitably be supply. Companies and small businesses alike have stepped up to the plate to give people what they want — natural health products.

Natural health products are now readily available for just about any ill out there. It is hard to find a health problem that does not have an offered natural remedy available.

Natural health products range from mere home remedy type plans to follow using useful household ingredients, to complicated supplements formulated from super foods and containing natural vitamins and minerals.

Do these new age treatments and remedies for age old conditions really work? Results seem all over the place, and depend largely on the condition at hand.

Don’t make the mistake of believing that natural health products are the answer to everything. There are many conditions which are mechanical in nature and thus cannot be influenced by mere dietary changes or by taking supplements. However, natural health products can prove effective in dealing with conditions that are related to the overall health of a person.

You may be wondering why natural remedies are more popular these days. A major reason for this is that they are sort of the “in thing” right now, along with other trends such as “going green” and the rebirth of earth-loving philosophies of decades past.

Much of this popularity is warranted, however. Natural health products certainly tend to be kinder to the body than harsh and abrasive chemicals, and they can also be much less expensive. Many natural health remedies even call for the use of very cheap and common household ingredients.

Considering how quickly expenses can add up in our crazy world, it’s no marvel that natural health products are becoming more and more common. They may not always work, but even the most skeptical cynic has to admit that there is a real appeal to curing a condition from the comfort of their own home.

If you want to see some examples of natural health products, take a look at these reviews: Heartburn No More Reviews Pregnancy Miracle Review

categories: natural health,alternative health,alternative medicine,remedy,cure,treatment,natural,green,health,fitness

Many people struggle to lose weight. If you are one of those people who just can’t seem to drop the pounds, stop and think about what is going on inside your body. Think about all of those years of filling your body with junk food. The preservatives and chemicals in these foods have filled your system with toxins. These toxins decrease your metabolism and make it really difficult to burn calories. It is a good idea to start with a colon cleanse weight loss program if you are serious about getting the pounds off.

The first step in starting a weight loss program through colon cleansing is to find a good herbal colon cleanser. Herbal supplements are much more effective then enemas because they are ingested in either a pill or a drink. This cleanses not only your large intestine but your small intestine also.

When you are doing a colon cleanse weight loss program it is critical that you change the way you eat. You should do away with the high calorie junk foods and start eating a diet that is rich in vegetables and whole grains. Do not eat fried foods and fatty meats. Stay away from sugar because it encourages bacteria growth. Of course you should drink plenty of water when colon cleansing to help flush your system of toxins.

After you start your colon cleanse program you will be astounded at the amount of weight you will start to lose. You will have more energy than you have had in years, and you will get a more restful night’s sleep. As the toxins leave your body you will start to feel great all over. But don’t depend on the colon cleanse and diet change alone. Start a good exercise program to reach your weight loss goals much faster.

A colon cleanse weight loss program could be the answer to your weight loss problems. As you start to lose the weight you will also start to notice that you have a lot more energy. These herbal supplements are gentle on your body and can give you the jump start you need to start getting your life back.

To find out which colon cleanser can improve your health visit colon cleanse weight loss to read reviews and testimonials of the very best Colon Cleansers on the market that come with a complete satisfaction money back guarantee. Click Colon Cleanse Weight Loss today for essential colon health.

I recall that I couldn’t wait to grow up. Neither could my friends. Now we sit around laughing about wishing our youth away, sore backs and the things we totally took for granted when we were able to do them. Instead, if we had our druthers, we would find a way to if not turn back the clock, keep it from moving any farther forward. Not surprisingly, everyone seems to be more interested now in natural health and the ways that we can support our anti aging desires.

Two that have caught my attention lately – and are of great interest are connected with things I support anyway. One deals with Free Radicals and the role of antioxidants to slow down the damage they cause, which tends to contribute to many of the conditions we associate with aging. Another one deals with the amount and the type of water that is in our bodies.

I have not devoted my life to the study of human health, medicine, chemistry or physics and I don’t claim to completely understand all the underlying mechanisms of metabolism. But, it seems like no stretch at all to accept the possibility that free radicals- which are essentially unstable molecules – missing an electron and often at least derived from oxygen- can set off an electron-thieving chain reaction with the ability to damage the structure of a cell. That might not sound like much, except that it’s happening to millions of cells. As the damage accumulates, our internal systems degenerate and no longer do their jobs so well and we start to age.

Antioxidants are molecules with the ability to stop the electron thieving chain reaction because they can freely give up an electron without having the need (or maybe the strength) to steal them from the neighbors. Some well known antioxidants like Vitamins C and E are easily replaced through our diets, but others like CoEnzymeQ10 which is closely associated with anti-aging and Glutathione are manufactured internally.

Another interesting and plausible look at aging is associated with water. It correlates something called cell water turnover with our metabolic rate and points out that both have been linked with health and aging. Consider a baby which has not only the fastest level of cell water turnover of anyone, but also the highest metabolism. Infants are about 80% water but the elderly can be as little as 50% water. Like a buildup of damage caused by free radicals, a reduction of water within the body (and the cells) slows down the metabolism and impedes the effective functioning of our bodies. In short it ages us.

Apparently, water molecules also have a shape, as do groupings of water molecules which either form pentagonal or hexagonal groupings. Dr Mu Shik Jhon wrote a book that explains his research into the importance and movement of hexagonal water in and out of our cells. Aging, he writes, in “”The Water Puzzle and the Hexagonal Key”, is not just about the movement of water through our cells, is about the decreased movement of hexagonal water.

I tried drinking hexagonal water and it was given to me by a person I trust who “spun” it himself. Doing the before and after test personal, I can tell you that there is something that is texturally different about it. Even though I don’t believe (and no one is claiming by the way) that either antioxidants or hexagonal water will stop the aging process, we need water and we need antioxidants. So I’ll make sure that I get lots of both, because they’re already an important part of my life.

Anna Ruth consults with Whole Earth Health which markets a number of ourstanding natural health products, including MAXGXL, an L-glutathione precursor. Through the increased production of glutathione – a master antioxidant and anti inflammatory, this products has helped to provide natural pain relief to many people suffering from a variety of conditions.

categories: Natural Health,Health products,Aging,Hexagonal water,antioxidants

When considering going to a chiropractor about your neck pain, it is first important to keep a few things in mind. The chiropractic practice began with the intent of only working with spine and back related problems, and while many instances of neck pain may be related to back misalignment, many others are not.

A chiropractic adjustment to neck or to the cervical vertebrae may carry with it some risks, even though the chance is very low. Your chiropractor should perform a thorough examination, as an improperly done neck manipulation may cause some problems ranging from stroke to severing major blood vessels.

Most, it not all, chiropractors understand the risks involved in spinal manipulation and only perform this procedure when it’s the right treatment for the patient. A case history as well as a physical and neurological examination is done first. I would be unwise for a doctor of chiropractic to perform any treatment without doing these things first. In many cases, the dangerous manipulations are being performed by non-chiropractors and this is what puts the unsuspecting “patient” at risk.

Many conditions, including headaches, neck pain, and numbness and tingling in the arms, can be related back to the neck. The benefits of a specific cervical adjustment can mean the end to a lifetime of chronic problems, so people readily seek out chiropractic treatment only after they’ve exhausted more traditional methods of relief including medications and injections.

Chiropractic treatment can be very helpful in dealing with neck pain, even if it’s chronic. Many times this chronic neck pain may be caused by muscle tension or posture issues which can be fixed in just a couple of visits with a skilled doctor, even if the problem has been around for years. Because chiropractic is so effective in dealing with the spine, this can also affect how the person deals with muscle tension or how they carry their muscles and whether that translates itself into back or neck pain.

When deciding whether chiropractic is the right answer for your neck pain, the best thing to do is to check in with your general practitioner first if you have any specific concerns about your past history. He or she can help figure out if chiropractic is appropriate to your specific situation or if it would be unsafe. If you do decide to go with the chiropractic option, look for someone who specializes in skeletal, muscular and spinal problems.

The chiropractic doctor may determine that a radiographic examination (x-ray) of the neck and maybe the entire spine after performing an examination. The chiropractor may then recommend treatment that includes massage, heat, cold therapy, ultrasound, and electric stimulation in addition to the spinal adjustments. The additional therapies complement the main treatment; the spinal adjustment.

Philip Vincent is a health educator. Need a Rochester Chiropractor? Consider a visit to this Rochester Chiropractor.

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