Wednesday, 11 May 2011

Cleansing yourself through detoxification


The quality of food is an important factor when it comes to meeting consumer satisfaction. Aside from appearance, size, flavour and colour, it also includes meeting federal standards.

Food quality also has to meet sanitation requirements to ensure products are packaged and processed in a clean and safe environment. There are many instances, however, where people have been caught adulterating food for profit.

For instance, in March 2011, a grocer in India’s capital, New Delhi, was caught selling adulterated dal (pulses) by mixing a banned colouring agent known for its brain damaging properties.

Aside from food, products like milk and water too can be tampered with. Milk producers may at times add water to milk to cut costs and increase quantity. Meanwhile, a form of water adulteration can be by using the brand name of a prominent mineral water company on ordinary bottled water.

Constant exposure to processed foodstuffs, poor food quality, and addictions can stack up toxins in your body. It is important, therefore, that you undergo regular detoxification to rid your body of unwanted material which builds up over time. The process can range from a week to about a month.

A holistic approach is the best way to detox yourself. Fasting, fresh fruit diet, water and juice therapy, yoga and meditation can be followed if you’re looking to cleanse yourself. There are also commercial cleansing programmes with specially designed protein powders, vitamins and nutrients.

Of course, it is advisable to consult a specialist if you’re suffering from any illness before you proceed. It is also important to note that during this period of detoxification, you may experience several discomforts including skin eruptions, emotional irritability, temporary constipation or diarrhoea, headaches and some fever. This is just your body releasing toxins and adjusting to the sudden change.

To combat the ‘side effects’, you can try breathing exercises and simple meditation techniques.

Some of the more common parts of the body which benefit are the gastrointestinal tract (GI Tract), skin, liver, gallbladder, lymphatic system, lungs, kidneys and bladder.

Detoxification is effective, simple and cheap. After subjecting our bodies to months of abuse, it is the least we can do. And as it is tried, tested and true, there is all the more reason to go ahead and treat your body to some much needed respite.

Tuesday, 10 May 2011

Say No to Digestive problems by maintaining healthy colon


Digestive problem has become quite common and many of us have learnt to cope up with that, rather than find a permanent solution. Due to change in our lifestyle, most of us find it quite easy to grab a pack of fries and soft drinks, rather than spend time to elaborately plan and cook healthy food at home. This kind of routine certainly affects our digestive system and takes a toll on our overall health.

Almost all digestive problem starts in colon, which is responsible for storing the body wastes. Bowel problems are quite common now a days and cleansing the colon quite frequently is an efficient way to keep our overall health in good condition. Colon starts to work sluggishly with the in-take of foods that are laced with additives, artificial flavors and ingredients. The initial symptoms of digestive problems vary from person to person. Some of the common indications include: formation of gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, belching and flatulation. These symptoms appear even in apparently healthy people.

A simple digestive problems can in turn lead to plethora of other diseases and has the potential to bring us down quite quickly. The root cause for most of the diseases in our body is the malfunctioning of colon. As colon stores waste products, it should function actively and effectively by preventing further accumulation of waste products. If colon is not cleansed properly, then harmful toxins start to build up there and eventually get released in the blood stream, which in turn causes nausea, headache, lethargy, dizziness, sleepiness and bad breath. So cleansing the colon is the single most important step in avoiding digestive problems.

In order to avoid bowel problems, it is essential to keep a check on what we take in, and not how much we take in. The major factors of digestive system are: how much of food it can digest fully, absorb the nutrients and metabolize properly. These factors differ from person to person. Some may be able to digest high protein and high fat food quite quickly while others may even be struggling with a simple low-fat food to get digested properly. Even though it is better to rely on natural digestion, some people rely on digestive enzymes to improve their digestive process.

Here are some cures for common bowel problems

  • Intake of fresh ginger paste mixed with hot water helps to cure digestive problems as well as bring the sluggish colon back to work.
  • Regular intake of fruit juice in empty stomach helps to cleanse the colon quite effectively.
  • Keeping ourselves physically active also helps to invigorate the colon and keep digestive problems at bay.

Common Digestive Problems and treatment


Herbal medicine says digestive system is the most important part of our body which draws energy from the food that we take. Nowadays digestive problems are common in many countries. Wrong eating habit is the basic reason. Low fiber food and processed meals, animal fats, and increased level of stress are other common reasons for digestive problems or bowel problems. It can also appear in healthy looking peoples and goes undiagnosed as we think that it is not serious. Many digestive diseases or bowel problems which goes undiagnosed affects our immune system and spreads certain kinds of toxins to our body. All this happens only because we are ignoring the basic needs of our body. Nowadays people of every age group consume a lot of junk and packaged food which contains a lot of flour which is very harmful for our body. Packaged food also contains vinegar which causes acidity and ulcers in the stomach.
There are many common digestive and bowel problems. Some of them are as follows:

Reflux-Most common digestive problems. Heartburn is the main symptom including sour taste or fluid in your mouth. It can even harm esophagus and can lead to esophageal cancer. Treatment includes drugs like Aciphex, Prevacid, and Protonix.

Constipation- Another common disorder that makes the bowel movement difficult. Tool becomes very hard, difficult to pass. You can suffer from constipation if you are not drinking enough water or not eating enough fiber. So, drink enough fluids which will move your tools by making it softer. Eat green leafy vegetables and fibrous fruits to prevent constipation. If you experience constipation more than 3-4 weeks, abdominal pain or blood in your tool than consult your doctor.

Abdominal Adhesion-Symptoms are chronic abdominal and pelvic pain, intestinal obstruction, and female infertility. Causes are abdominal surgery, radiation treatment, and abdominal infections.

Irritable Bowel syndrome-Also called spastic colon, mucous colitis, and intestinal neurosis. Symptoms are bloating, diarrhea, gas, and nausea. Whenever you eat, pain starts. Stress and low fiber intake are the common reasons. So, avoid animal fat, carbonated drinks, chocolates, fried foods, and alcohol. Eat high fiber diet supplementing with plenty of water.

Peptic Ulcer- Regular occurrence of stomach pain is the main symptom. Other causes are alcohol and smoking.

To prevent the digestive problems and bowel problems follow the following steps:


  • Add fibers and garlic to your food.
  • Have barley grass and wheat grass juice.
  • Add fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables to your diet.

Friday, 29 April 2011

Healthy Intestine - A Healthy You




Intestine or bowel (comprising the small and the large intestine) serves as a major role in the human body wherein the digested food passes by and the place where exactly the nutrients get absorbed in the body. As such any malfunctioning or disorder of the intestine may lead to massive problems with the human body.'

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) refers to one such disorder which is primarily due to changes in the bowel movements. This involves abdominal pain and cramping. Some problem with the muscles in the intestine, or the intestine being more sensitive to the movement can be some reasons leading to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. But in most of the cases, it occurs after an intestinal infection along with other triggers.

Most often, occurring in the adolescent age or early adulthood, IBS is more common in women. Also the most common intestinal complaint for which patients are referred to a gastroenterologist.

While abdominal pain, gas, and loss of appetite are some of the common symptoms of IBS, the treatment requires lifestyle and dietary changes for the patient. However, in general, no specific diet can be prescribed, changes such as avoiding large meals, chocolates, milk products, alcohol, tea, colas and increased intake of dietary fiber turn out to be beneficial in the treatment.

Another intestinal disorder commonly encountered is 'Gluten intolerance'. This generally happens with a person becoming more sensitive to the Gluten ( a rubbery protein mostly found in cereals that gives dough its ability to be stretched). A reaction in the lining of small intestine happens when a person with Gluten intolerance happens to consume Gluten. This results in tissue destruction and the intestine’s ability to absorb nutrients gets decreased. A variety of nutritional defects, diarrhea, and anemia are quite common among patients suffering from Gluten Intolerance. As far as treatment is concerned, there is no specific treatment for gluten intolerance. The best thing to do is to avoid Gluten rich foods in your diet.

Last but not the least; a physician is the best person to contact for any intestine related problems.

Wednesday, 27 April 2011

Natural remedies for battling candidiasis

 
Candidiasis can attack the mouth (gums), armpits and private parts of both men and women. It thrives in moist areas. Different specialists propagate different ways of treating this disease but the best way to combat this disease is by going to the roots, i.e. by strengthening our immune system. A person who is low on certain vitamins or minerals is more prone to attack by the bacteria Candida Albicans – the bacteria which cause Candidiasis than a person who is healthy. Here are some natural candidiasis remedies that you can try at home if you are diagnosed with Candidiasis.

Water: One of the candidiasis natural remedies which is most easily accessible and probably the best solution is water. Water cleanses our system and flush out the toxins from the body. The more you drink, the more toxins and impurities from the body is eliminated. Also it is vital to wash the infected area with plain water as often as you can. Do not use harsh soap or bathing solution, instead try to use soap made only of natural ingredients such as aloe-vera, neem or oregano

Yoghurt: Another effective way to combat candidiasis is to follow the candida diet. Basically the ‘good bacteria’ from yoghurt fights the ‘bad bacteria’ affecting our system. Eat plain yoghurt before or after meal. Yoghurt can be eaten with a bit of sugar as a dessert or eaten with plain rice or mixed with salad. Try rubbing the infected area with yoghurt. Just leave it on for about five minutes and wash it off as leaving it on for prolonged periods may have the adverse effect.

Acupuncture: Some experts recommend acupuncture to treat candidiasis. What it does is that it strengthens the immune system, thus enabling the body to fight the bacteria more effectively. Acupuncture coupled with a specific diet will give better results.

Exercise: Exercising is beneficial for the body as a whole. Besides strengthening the immune system, sweating is a natural way of the body eliminating toxins and wastes from the body. If you living a sedentary lifestyle you’ll find that even the simplest exercise will have a profound impact if you are suffering from a bout of candidiasis. In order for the exercise to prove most beneficial, it is important you supplement it with candida diet.

Natural clothing: Do not use man-made fabric, especially nylon underwear if your privates are infected with candidiasis. Use only natural fabrics like cotton or linen which allow the body to breathe.

Before resorting to prescribed medicines, especially antibiotics, I strongly recommend that you try these natural candidiasis remedies. And if at all you absolutely need medication, go for the ones which contain natural ingredients.

Choose the right food to get rid of Candida and Gluten Intolerance



Majority of people suffer from Candida. It is a microorganism that aids us in our digestion process. Candida is present in our gut. Sometimes individuals suffer from excess growth of Candida. Research has pointed out that excess Candida in our body is lifestyle related. Candida kills the useful bacteria in our system and hampers the proper functioning of our intestines.

It is important that we take the help of a good probiotic supplement when our doctor prescribes us candida for common cold or a sore throat. Antibiotic that are used the animals sometimes pass on to our system through animal meat or milk.

Take the help of candida diet foods that will hamper the growth of Candida. Candida diet also helps to boost our immune system and helps the growth of useful bacteria. Green leafy vegetables, raw garlic and protein foods such as beef, chicken, eggs fish are an ideal candida diet. Incorporate lots of nuts and seeds and grains such as millet, rice, rice bran, and oat bran into your candida diet .

Candida grows rapidly in contact with sugary foods so any kind of sweetened or refined food will enable the candida to grow. It is imperative that we stay away from consuming such food that accelerate the growth of candida. If the immune system is strong enough it can combat the harmful effects of Candida. Condiments, packaged food tea, coffee and beverages should be avoided in excess. Candida can also be found in contraceptive devices such as copper IUD.

Many are suffering from gluten intolerance these days. A blood test will help you to determine whether you have the gluten intolerance or wheat allergy symptoms. Joint pain, anemia, infertility or osteoporosis could be one of the many symptoms for gluten intolerance. In some cases gluten intolerance is also marked by symptoms such as gas, bloating and flatulence.

However it is quite possible in some cases that the person has been tested negative for celiac disease. These cases are termed as Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitive, or NCGS.

The most effective way to combat this disease is to go on a strict gluten free diet . Maintain a record of the symptoms that you encounter when you are on gluten free diet. Gluten is present in all cereals baring rice and corn. Gluten is also present in all wheat based items. It is also present in flours, ice-cream and processed meats too. So it is the best to avoid foods that has any traces of gluten. Prepare foods at home with a cereal that does not contain gluten. Avoid outside food as it might have hidden cereals in them which might contain gluten.

Tuesday, 26 April 2011

How to prevent Irritable Bowel Syndrome by controlling Candida Overgrowth ?




Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a bowel disorder that interferes with normal functioning of colon. It is often characterized by abdominal pain, constipation, bloating and chronic fatigue. Even though it does not lead to chronic illness, it causes much discomfort and pain. The symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome vary from person to person and diagnosis often involves eliminating various other reasonable possibilities. Diarrhea and Celiac disease are often misdiagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

People with Irritable Bowel Syndrome have a sensitive colon which is over reactive to certain types of food. Studies have concluded that Irritable Bowel Syndrome affects the normal movement of colon and may also stop its working temporarily. If the muscles of the colon do not contract in the right way, the contents inside it do not move resulting in constipation, cramps and pain.

Even though the exact cause of irritable Bowel Syndrome is not known, some people claim that Irritable Bowel Syndrome is triggered by over growth of Candida. Candida is yeast like fungal parasite inhabiting the digestive tracts. They are the cause for variety of disorders ranging from bad breath to neurological disorders. Candidiasis is a medical diagnosis to find out over growth of Candida.

Candida is normally present in human body and its growth is limited by human immune system and other healthy bacteria present in the colon. Antibiotics and anti-ulcer medication reduces healthy colon bacteria and make room for Candida to flourish by shifting to fungal form with roots, and then it continues to grow vigorously on the intestinal wall. This acts as a passage for undigested food particles and toxins to enter into the blood stream and thus results in adverse condition.

Diet high in sugar and low in fiber promotes growth of Candida. Candida can also interact with mercury used for dental fillings and this in turn can lead to their proliferation. In adverse condition, Candida also starts to produce toxins as their growth increases. Immuno-compromised persons are more vulnerable to Candida attack than people who have strong immune system.

Candidiasis is a diagnosis to find the Candida over growth. As the presence of Candida is ubiquitous, mere blood test is not sufficient to come to a conclusion. Some of the symptoms of Candida over growth include: depression, lethargy, anxiety, and decreased mental energy. Candidiasis treatment includes intake of anti-fungal drugs, consumption of garlic, psyllium husk, olive oil, and walnuts. You can also follow candida diet to get cure of candidasis

The major categories of food which worsen colon’s function include - fatty foods, Milk products, Caffeinated Drinks, Carbonated Drinks and deep fries like French Fries. It is better to often indulge in fruit juice diet, mainly consisting of citrus fruit, which helps to keep colon clean and healthy.