babyboomers healthproducts blog

Natural Remedies for Depression

Do you find ever find yourself feeling depressed?  If so, you may be looking for relief.  Depression is a medical condition that can be mentally and emotionally draining.  Those who have depression with dangerous and deadly thoughts, such as suicide, are urged to speak with a medical professional immediately.  However, if you only find yourself feeling down or depressed on occasion, you may want to examine natural remedies, also commonly referred to as home remedies.

As with many other medical issues and complications, a healthy diet is a great way to manage or treat depression.  A well balanced diet is the key to staying happy and healthy, especially where depression is concerned.  All individuals are encouraged to drink water and consume a good number of fruits and vegetables each and every day.  In fact, there are a number of natural remedies and home remedies for depression that are based on healthy foods.

Using asparagus to treat or manage depression is another method that comes highly rated and recommend.  The root of an asparagus is the area that you will want to target.  Take a piece of asparagus and squeeze or crush the bottom root.  If properly done, a powder will appear.  This powder should be consumed daily with amounts of one or two grams each day.  . 

Apples are another food item that can be used to help provide relief to those suffering from depression.  Apples are known for their vitamin B and potassium, which has a number of benefits where depression is concerned.  Although eating an apple each day is enough for many individuals, there are others who suffer from depression who recommend eating an apple with milk and honey daily.

Receiving the proper amount of vitamin B can also help those suffering from depression.  As previously stated, apples are known for their vitamin B benefits.  Apples are not the only foods with a strong presence of vitamin B.  Other foods that are recommended include eggs, green vegetables, whole grain foods, and fish.  As ideal as it is to naturally receive vitamin B from foods, you may also want to examine natural vitamin B supplements, as they are a quick and effective way to help with depression.

Rose petals can also be used to help an individual, such as yourself, manage or treat depression.  When using this natural remedy for depression, take a small number of rose petals and mix them in boiling water.  Once cooled, drink the mixture.  Another optional step involves mixing in a small amount of sugar.  This can help with those who have taste preferences.  Natural, herbal teas are another great alterative.

Another natural, yet alternative way to treat or manage depression is to use mediation.  Meditation and relaxation are two proven successful ways to cope with depression.  For many individuals, sitting in a quiet room with their legs crossed, simply inhaling and exhaling is enough.  For others, they choose to first learn the proper ways to relax and meditate.  This is easy to do online or with an instructional video.  Most instructional meditation videos and books are available for sale both on and offline.

In keeping with relaxation, a relaxing bath is another way to help manage depression.  Although a bath may not provide permanent relief, it is a step that should still be taken.  When using a bath to manage depression, many recommend a warm water bath, as well as the addition of natural immersion.  For the best chance of relaxation, baths should be taken in a quite room that is not fully lit, as excessive lighting and noise can hinder one’s ability to relax.

The above mentioned natural remedies and home remedies are just a few of the many that you may want to try if you find yourself depressed.  These home remedies can also be recommended to any close friends or family members that you know.  With that in mind, as previously stated, it is important to remember that depression can also be chronic.  This is when professional assistance should be sought.

Source: Webmaster: www.babyboomershealthproducts.com

Q. In addition to taking medication for gout, I also avoid foods high in purine – such as animal organs, herring, mushrooms, sardines, and spinach. I’ve been told my list of purine-containing foods is incomplete. What others should I avoid?

A. Many other foods contain purines, notably anchovies, goose, mussels, scallops, yeast, and meat derivatives such as soup stock and gravy. But avoiding purine-containg foods may not be as necessary as it was once thought to be.

Gout is a heritable disease marked by an excess of uric acid in the blood. Severe dietary restriction for people with gout can indeed decrease blood levels of uric acid somewhat. However, today’s medications, especially allopurinol can do the job much better. So moderation in diet rather than avoidance of certain foods is sufficient for most people with gout.

Alcohol, however, is one dietary item that should be restricted, since it may trigger an acute attack of gout.

Source: The best of health – Consumer reports

webmaster: www.babyboomershealthproducts.com

Q. As I’ve grown older, I’ve started getting muscle cramps. What can I do about them?

A. For most cramps, stretch. If a spasm strikes the calf (by far the most common cramp site) pull the front of the foot up toward the knee. Since cramps usually result from muscle fatique, you may be able to prevent such spasms by gently stretching before you exercise your calves. Stand a few feet from a wall, brace yourself against the wall with your hands, and lean forward, keeping your heels on the ground until you feel a pull in your calves. This maneuver before bedtime can also help prevent unexplained nighttime spasms.

If the cause isn’t muscule fatique, your doctor may find other, possibly treatable causes. These can include circulatory problems, hyperventilation, an underactive thyroid, and low blood levels of calcium or magnesium.

Source: The best of health – Consumer reports

webmaster: www.babyboomershealthproducts.com

Natural Remedies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

According to WebMD, a trusted medical website, there are around 58 million people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, also commonly known as IBS.  If you are one of those individuals or if you suspect that you may be, you may be plagued with cramping, bloating, constipation, and belly pain.  If you suspect that you are suffering from IBS, a visit to your healthcare provider is advised.  This is important as the symptoms of IBS can sometimes be caused by another complicated medical problem.  With that said, even if you are diagnosed with having IBS, there is a good chance that your doctor will recommend a number of natural remedies for treatment.

As previously stated, many healthcare professionals recommend natural remedies for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).  Many are surprised by this fact.  Of course, medications, such as antidepressants and antidiarrheals may be prescribed, but most find the greatest relief with natural remedies, as well as lifestyle changes.  This is a fact that many professional healthcare providers are well aware of. 

Modifying your diet is an easy and natural way to manage irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).  Healthy foods are a must, but so are foods that are high in fiber.  Fiber helps to regulate the digestive system, thus resulting in effective and regular bowel moments.  This provides much needed relief to many suffering from IBS.  If you must, fiber supplements can be taken; however, fiber is naturally found in a large number of foods.  These foods include fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grain foods, such as whole grain bread or cereal.

In keeping with food, many individuals are urged to stay away from certain foods.  These are individuals whose symptoms are trigged by certain foods.  If you are noticing a pattern in your pain and discomfort, it may be due to the foods or drinks that you are consuming.  These items should either be completely eliminated from your diet or at least limited.  Despite the possibility of a variance, caffeine, alcohol, and beans are common trigger factors for many suffering from irritable bowel syndrome.  A regular consumption of water, around eight glasses, a day is also advised.

As for the pain and discomfort that is often associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), there are a number of natural remedies that can result in pain relief.  One of those remedies is exercise.  In addition to walking, running, or aerobics, stretching often provides many individuals suffering from IBS with relief. 

As previously stated, consuming foods that are high in fiber is a great way to naturally relive the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).  One approach that you will not want to take is with the use of laxatives.  Many individuals confuse laxatives with fiber supplements, but they are not the same.  Laxatives are actually considered over-the-counter medications, as they are not natural.  Laxatives may temporarily relieve the feeling of constipation, but they are not a permanent fix.  In fact, too many laxatives can have a negative impact on the body, which could lead to additional health complications.

As a reminder, if you believe that you are suffering from IBS, such as if you constantly feel bloated, have stomach cramps, or constipation, it is important that you first seek medical attention.  This will help to ensure that you are dealing with irritable bowel syndrome and not a more serious medical illness.  Once you have been diagnosed as having IBS you can seek relief by using a few of the above mentioned natural remedies.

Webmaster: www.babyboomershealthproducts.com

Q. Is it true that toxins in potatoes and other plants of nightshade family – including tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant – can exacerbate or even cause arthritis in some people?

A. There’s no scientific evidence to support that old folk legend. If it were true, populations that eat lots of potatoes would presumably have a higher incidence of arthritis. Epidemiological studies have shown that they don’t.

Source: The best of health – Consumer reports

Webmaster: www.babyboomershealthproducts.com

Natural Remedies for Hangovers

So, you had a fun night out on the town last night with your romantic partner or a few close friends.  Although you may have had a great time the night before, you may be feeling a little bit “weird,” the next day, especially if you consumed alcohol.  If alcohol was consumed, you may be experiencing the ever so dreaded hangover.

Anyone who has every experienced a hangover before knows the feeling of just wanting it all to go away.  Unfortunately, many individuals believe that there is no “cure,” for a hangover.  Although cure may not be the best word used to describe seeking treatment, there are a number of natural remedies which many claim do provide hangover relief.  You are looking to relieve yourself from a hangover, please continue reading on as a few of these natural remedies, as well as tips for your next alcohol drinking outing are highlighted below.

Water is a natural remedy for hangovers.  Before heading to sleep, after a night of drinking, drinking a lot of water can assist with your hangover the next morning.  Alcohol, especially when consumed in large amounts, can impact a body’s hydration, which can result in unpleasant feelings the next morning.  That is why a glass or two of water before bed is a great idea.  The next morning, as soon as you wake, start drinking even more water.  In addition to helping to treat a hangover, drinking water before you starting consuming alcohol also has a number of benefits.

Eating can also help with a hangover from too much alcohol consumption.  Eating should be done before, during, and after alcohol consumption.  Most importantly, it is important not to consume large amounts of alcohol on an empty stomach.  This increase a drinker’s likelihood of becoming intoxicated or drunk, and it also increases the chances of a hangover the next morning.  Eating before, during, or after alcohol consumption can slow down the rate in which alcohol is absorbed into the body and bloodstream.

As for vitamins, which many individuals turn to when looking for a natural remedy, vitamin C and B is recommended for hangover relief.  It has been claimed that vitamin B helps to shorten the length of a hangover.  As for vitamin C, it can help to breakdown the alcohol in your body, also assisting with a hangover, namely by preventing one, shortening its length, or reducing symptoms.

When it comes to a headache associated with a hangover, there are many individuals who take pain relievers.  Of course, this approach will work for many, but it is not natural.  If you are concerned with that you are putting in your body, you may be looking for a more natural way to relieve the headaches often associated with hangovers.  A natural way to relieve a headache associated with a hangover is to place a cold pack on the head; however, a ziplock bag filled with ice will also do.  Depending on the activities that you have planned for the day, consider getting extra rest, preferably with an ice pack on your head or neck.

An extra tip to help reduce the likelihood of a hangover involves limiting alcohol consumption.  Many professionals recommend pacing yourself with one alcoholic drink an hour, as anything else increases the chances of a hangover.  As previously stated, eating before, during, and after alcohol consumption can help with hangovers, as you aren’t drinking on an empty stomach.  Eating, even just snacking, while drinking will reduce the amount of alcohol consumed, as you are doing something other than just drinking.  Also, some mixed drinks, especially those that are tasty, fruity, or sugary, should be avoided, as it is hard for some drinkers to gauge the amount of alcohol they are actually consuming.

The above mentioned natural remedies are just a few of the many that you can use to relieve the symptoms of a hangover.  Also, the tips mentioned above can also reduce your chances of having a hangover following the consumption of alcohol.

Source: Webmaster: www.babyboomershealthproducts.com

Rheumatoid Arthritis, or RA, is a chronic disease that causes inflamation, pai, stiffness, redness, swelling and warmth around affected joints. Roughly 1.3 million Americans – 70% of them women – have RA. What causes it? We don’t know yet, but we do know that although it can be treated, this chronic disease can’t be cured.

Still, there are new ways to help people with RA. One study of 40 people withsevere RA who also had gum disease showed that when dental problems were treated, RA problems also improved, resulting in less arthritic pain, fewer swollen joints and reduced morning stiffness.

There’s also new hope for the estimated 27 million Americans who have osteoarthritis, or OA, a painful and debilitating condition that causes loss of cartilage in weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips and spine. People who lost as little as 5% of their body weight reduced their risk of developing OA in the kness, a six-year study of 1,480 men and women age 45 and older found. For a 200-pound person, 5% is only 10 pounds; for a 150 pound person, it’s just 7.5 pounds.

Source: USA weekend

Webmaster: www.babyboomershealthproducts.com

Experts estimate that 35.6 million people live with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia today, and that the number is predicted to double every 20 years. Research shows lifestyle changes can help. Alzheimer’s risk is lower in people who coupled physical activity with a Mediterranean- type diet high in fruits, vegetables and fish, and low in red meat and poultry, People who reported “some physical activity” dropped their dementia risk by a range of 29% to 41%; those reporting “much physical activity” had 37% to 50% lower risk.

Exercise for the brain helps too. A study showed that doing at least one “cognitive activity” every day – reading, writing, working crossword puzzles, playing board or card games, or participating in group discussions – helped delay dementia and memory loss in 101 seniors in their 70s and 80s. Each additional daily cognitive activity delayed dementia by more than two months.

Study links risk of death to number of hours viewing TV.

Researchers found that each hour watching TV was linked with an 18% greater risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, an 11% greater risk of all causes of death, and a 9% increased risk of death from cancer.

The study released by The Journal of the American Heart Association, looked at health data among 8800 men and women ages 25 years or older who were part of the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study.

Participants recorded their television viewing hours for a week, and researchers separated the results by the amount of viewing: those who watched less than two hours a day, those who watched two to four hours a day, and those who watched more than four hours a day.

In more than six years of follow up, 87 people died of cardiovascular disease and 125 of cancer.

Researchers found a strong connection between tV hours and death from cardiovascular disease. The link was found not just among the overweight and obese, but also among people who had a healthy weight and exercised.

People who watched more than four hours a day showed an 80% greater risk of death from cardiovascular disease and a 46% higher risk of all causes of death compared to those who watched less than two hours a day, suggesting that being sedentary could have general deleterious effects.

The numbers were the same after researchers controlled for smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, an unhealthy diet and leisure-time exercise.

Source: Jeannine Stein, l.a. Times

Bill Hertz: Founder www.babyboomershealthproducts.com

Risk of age-related degeneration reduced, study says.

Taking B vitamins can prevent a common type of vision loss in older women, according to the first rigorous study of its kind.

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in people age 65 and older, with nearly 2 million Americans in the advanced stage of the condition. It cause a layer of the eye to deteriorate, blurring the center of the field of vision and making it difficult to regognize faces, read and drive. Theres no cure, but treatment, including laser therapy in some cases, can slow it down.

Preventing it has been more elusive. “Other than avoiding cigarette smoking, this is the first suggestion from a randomized trial of a possible way to reduce early stage AMD,” said William Christen of the Harvard University-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, who led the research, funded by the National Institutes of Health. He said findings should apply to men as well.

The women in the study who took a combination of B vitamins – B6, Folic acid and B12 – reduced their risk of mascular degeneration by more than one-third after seven years compared with women taking dummy pills.

The study involving more than 5,000 women ages 40 and older at risk for cardiovascular disease, appears in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

What should you do?   It’s too early to recommend B vitamins to people who want to prevent age-related vision loss, researchers say.

But people who already have the disease should talk to their doctors about over the counter eye-protecting supplements, including vitamins C and E and Zinc, which prior studies have shown slow the disease.

Source: Associated Press

Bill Hertz – Founder www.babyboomershealthproducts.com