Healthy adrenal glands…something we rarely think about, but our fast-paced lifestyles push these little organs to the limit. Overtaxed by stress, stimulants, sugar and a variety of habits, our body’s energy control centers are easily maxed-out, resulting in fatigue, depression and even weight gain. In a holistic health, wellness and fitness program, awareness one’s lifestyle and its effect on these important hormone regulators is worthy of attention.
The adrenal glands are each no bigger than a walnut and weigh less than a grape. They sit like a tiny pyramid on top of each kidney, their name ‘ad’ + ‘renal’ means ‘over’ or ‘above’ the ‘kidney’. The glands are important control centers for regulation of many of the body’s hormones, either secreting directly or controlling the release of cortisol and adrenaline, DHEA, estrogen, and testosterone, which are essential to ones health, vitality, and overall well-being. The adrenal hormones support and affect every tissue, organ, and gland in your body. Their primary purpose is to enable the body and mind to deal with various forms of stress including injury, disease, and other pressures. The adrenals largely determine the energy response of your body to every change in one’s internal and external environment, in fact, every cell in your body responds to signals from the adrenals.
An estimated 75-80% of Westerners suffer from ‘Adrenal fatigue’ at some point in their lives. Adrenal fatigue is a described as a collection of signs and symptoms classically known as a “syndrome” that results when the adrenal glands function below the necessary level. Signs and symptoms may include severe fatigue, lightheadedness upon standing, depression and irritability, lack of sex drive, exhaustion and general malaise, loss of appetite, food cravings, and dark circles around the eyes. Most commonly associated with intense or prolonged stress, various other situations contribute to adrenal fatigue including life crisis, trauma, lifestyle, and chronic illness. Other factors that contribute to the depletion of adrenal health include certain lifestyle choices such as improper diet, substance abuse, too little or irregular sleep or rest and increased or other on-going life-style pressures.
One of the essential functions of your adrenal glands is to draw all your body’s resources into “fight or flight” mode by increasing the production of adrenaline and various other hormones. When the adrenals are healthy one’s ability to respond to situations appropriately is enhanced. This renewed freedom allows for a whole host of possibilities given a stressful situation. When healthy, your adrenals can instantly increase your heart rate and blood pressure, release energy stores for immediate use, sharpen your senses, slow digestion and various other secondary functions. This function is extremely important in emergency situations – poorly functioning, overtaxed adrenal glands can lessen your ability to deal effectively with crisis situations. Another aspect of healthy adrenals is the ability to endure long periods of physical exertion such as seen in marathon running, swimming, long distance cycling, and similarly, the day to day responsibilities of parenting. When supported by healthy adrenals, one’s natural energy supply is balanced. It is your adrenal glands job to react to stress in a balanced manner so that one’s response is appropriate to the situation and not injurious.
The hormones produced by the adrenal glands closely affect the utilization of carbohydrates and fats, the conversion of fats and proteins into energy, as well as the distribution of stored adipose (fatty tissue) on the body (especially around the waist), blood sugar regulation, and healthy cardiovascular and gastrointestinal (digestive and absorptive) function. Interestingly, at mid-life (menopause in women), the adrenal glands become the primary source for sex hormones circulating throughout the body in both genders. So in essence, overworked adrenal glands pretty much put a damper on your sex life – quashing your interest and putting a spare tire around your belly. Maybe their health is worth looking into!
The following are some natural suggestions for nourishing and rejuvenating adrenal health: We’ll start with an easy one; an adequate intake of water. This is a must in all natural health, wellness and fitness programs as it helps keep the kidney flushed and cleanses the body so it has less toxins to deal with, hence less stress. I use the formula .6 x body weight = ounces of water per day for my clients. This is a number that should be moved towards over time. For example if weigh 150 pounds your daily water intake would be 90 ounces. .6 x 150 = 90 ounces. If you are currently drinking 40 ounces of water per day and your (ideal) daily ounce intake is 90 ounces, increase gently to your ideal ounces of water over the next month or two.
Next is peace and quite. Take 10 minutes of time to sit in silence at both the beginning and the end of each day. Find a quiet place in your home or outside near a tree or natural source of water. Sit in a comfortable position and gently follow the rhythm of your breath. Allow yourself this sacred quiet time each day as an opportunity to nourish and assimilate, ground and rejuvenate your energy. Adequate fresh air, deep breaths, and movement. Spend time in nature-walking along the ocean, at a park, on a well traveled trail. Take full deep breaths and inhale in the healing power of the natural world. Take time to look at the trees and flower as well as the sky and various birds and so on. Enjoy this time outside as healing and nourishing. All this will give your adrenal glands a break and let them build reserves for future needs.
As for dietary recommendations, decrease (or preferably eliminate) intake of processed sugars and increase intake of natural earth sugars from root vegetables such as yams, carrots, turnips, and beets. Processed sugars truly poison the body every time they are eaten and causing stress to the system. Sweets are a hard habit to break, but you’ll notice a significant increase in balanced energy when you’re able to reduce their intake. Next, ingest adequate amounts of essential fatty acids. Various sources include fish oils, evening primrose oil, borage oil, hemp oil, coconut oil, and flax oils. Research which sources are best for your needs. Essential fats are precursors to many hormones in the body and will support your overall well-being. Finally, do your best to cut out caffeine from all sources. Even green tea, which is wonderful for you in moderation, can upset sleep patterns and add pressure to an already stressful lifestyle. Coffee is high in other stimulant compounds which seem to truly aggravate those already in tense situations, and cola and so-called ‘energy’ drinks may be the worst contributors to adrenal fatigue of all with their combination of processed sugars and refined caffeine.
As for some soothing treatments, taking time for baths using Epsom salts or apple cider vinegar (a tablespoon of either is sufficient) will help to pull out fatigue and ‘acidity’ from the your mind and body. Light a candle and read a book or simply soak in the warm water imaging your worries and stress washing away as you renew, strengthen, and ‘purify’ your energy. Consider adding a few drops of pure Lavender essential oil to your bath and allow the relaxing aroma to help you relax and refresh. A favorite essential oil bath blend: 4 drops Lavender essential oil, 1 drop Rose essential oil. Rose oil is often used for the decreasing stress and depression, while Lavender has a calming and mood lifting effect.
The following essential oil blend used directly over the adrenals first thing in the morning and then again in the (early) evening can help to nourish, strengthen, and rejuvenate the adrenals. This is described in Advanced Aromatherapy, by Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt, one of America’s leading medical aromatherapists. In a 30 ml (one ounce blue cobalt or amber glass bot
tle) add Black Spruce 2 ml, Pine essential oil 1 ml, Cedarwood essential oil 1 ml, and fill the remainder of the bottle with Hazelnut carrier oil (unless allergic to nuts-then choose another appropriate carrier oil). Use about 1 ml (20-30 drops) at a time and rub into the adrenal area at the bottom of your ribs on your back.
Finally, get some real deep sleep. The two hours before midnight is consider essential time for sleep for rejuvenating sleep. Start consciously moving your bedtime towards the bewitching hour of 10 pm and notice the shift in health. A couple of drops of Lavender essential oil on your pillow can help with sleep, as been show in many studies. If you need, try an herbal formula to help you rest, or a small dose of melatonin. Try finishing your last meal as early as possible, too, as going to bed on a full stomach lessens the quality of rest.
Your adrenal glands are a crucial part of your health and a positive outlook and approach to your life. By considering these few lifestyle factors and natural remedies, you can significantly improve your adrenal gland health, and perhaps remove yourself from the majority of the Adrenal Fatigue statistic!
Physical therapy, just on a very surface level could be considered an alternative type or natural treatment for certain conditions like back pain. Unlike aromatherapy, herbal remedies etc, physical therapy has been recognized as a legitimate treatment for many physical or bodily problems resulting from disease, accidents and other things that can affect our life.
It is different from Occupational therapy. Occupational therapists treat people who are considered to have much more permanent physical or developmental problems. The physical therapist however may be considered a shorter term solution for people in need of temporary assistance and treatments.
Much of the established medical community recognizes the benefits of physical therapy. Physical therapy is essentially the use of exercises and activities to help condition parts of the body. Through specialized activities, the part of the body being worked with gains, strength, coordination, conditioning, and movement.
Physical therapy is now considered an important part of most treatments for injuries or physical disorders. Exercises are designed to help patients gain the as much of the full range of motion as possible. This means that physical therapy is usually a lot of exhaustive work for the patients.
The appointments with the physical therapist is only part of the work that needs done however. The therapist will typically offer a daily exercise regimen and suggest other ways to help with your rehabilitation. They will often spend the time necessary through demonstration and teaching patients how to get the maximum benefit from those exercises. By following their direction, patients can expect over time to improve their health and gain additional functionality of the problem area.
Many doctors who treat pain will also actively use physical therapists to assist with relieving a painful condition depending on the reason for the problem. Therapists are not just physical education instructors but are skilled in helping patients recover the greatest amount of functionality possible.
Physical therapy plays a critical role in helping in the development of children with physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy and many other conditions. This work may include years of effort to gain just a few precious benefits for the child but it’s one of the benefits of becoming a physical therapist.
Therapists work to help maintain or improve the use of bones, muscles and joints through their specialized treatments and efforts. They are licensed professional who have done wonders with children and adults of all ages. As our society ages, physical therapy as a career will become increasingly more important.
The National Headache Foundation says that more than 29.5 million Americans have migraine, and although some rely on prescription medications, a growing number prefer natural remedies for migraine headaches.
A natural remedy for migraine headaches might be anything from herbs to supplements, acupuncture to aromatherapy.
Choosing a Natural Remedy for Migraine
If you choose a natural remedy for migraine treatment, you might try something from one or more of these categories.
Seven Nutrients
These nutrients are listed alphabetically to avoid indicating a preference.
1. 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan)
5-HTP is a compound the body produces from tryptophan, an amino acid. The body uses it to make serotonin. Since supplements that affect serotonin levels are used for migraines, 5-HTP has been put forward as an effective natural remedy for migraine treatment.
2. Butterbur
An extract of butterbur root has been found to be an effective natural remedy for migraine in children and adolescents. A clinical trial of this herb was reported in an early 2005 issue of the journal “Headache”. Butterbur appears to relieve pain and spasms.
3. Fatty Acids
Research done in the U.S. suggests that fish oil combined with magnesium taurate may be a great natural remedy for migraine. Both reduce blood vessel spasms, which appear to be the main cause of migraines.
4. Feverfew
This herb has long been considered a natural remedy for migraine and other headaches. Feverfew relieves pain and has an anti-inflammatory effect. It treats migraine by inhibiting the platelets’ release of blood vessel-dilating substances. It also inhibits the production of inflammatory substances.
5. Magnesium
This mineral is one of the most promising natural remedies for migraine headaches. Contained in fish, nuts, seeds, soybeans, whole grains, and vegetables, magnesium is needed for healthy muscle, nerve and blood vessel tone. As a natural remedy for migraine, it is thought to help prevent blood vessel spasms.
6. Petasite (Petasites hybridus)
It was in Germany that Petasite was found to be an effective natural remedy for migraine. German researchers showed that people taking Petasite had fewer migraine attacks, and their attacks were shorter. They also had less pain than those taking a placebo.
7. Vitamin B2
Belgian researchers in a 1998 double-blind study learned that vitamin B2 (riboflavin) gave more effective migraine relief than a placebo. This natural remedy reduced both the severity and frequency of migraine headaches.
Manual Therapy
Since no one treatment will work for everyone, you may want a natural remedy for migraine that involves manual therapy. Two possibilities are acupuncture and shiatsu.
1. Acupuncture
The Chinese art of acupuncture triggers relief by inserting delicate needles at specific points in the neck and head. Many people, including German researchers, have found it an effective natural remedy for migraine. Acupuncture is commonly used for migraines in Germany.
The researchers gave almost 900 patients one of three treatments: standard migraine drugs, traditional Chinese acupuncture, or “fake” acupuncture. Those who received “fake” acupuncture treatments had needles inserted in areas of the skin not used in traditional practice. In each group, virtually the same percentage of people cut in half the number of days affected by migraine each year.
2. Shiatsu
Shiatsu is a form of acupressure rather than acupuncture. As a natural remedy for migraine, shiatsu massage helps relieve tension and reduce stress. Whereas migraine tends to block blood flow or cause “overflow” to the lower head, shiatsu massage releases the blood flow and energy, restoring natural flow.
You can learn to do shiatsu for your own migraines, and get almost instant relief. Or have a family member give you shiatsu. The technique is simple, and regular massages are both preventative and remedial.
In a future article, we will consider the value of additional natural remedies for migraine headaches. If you are pregnant, be sure you ask your health care professional before using this advice. All migraine sufferers should seek professional counsel on using a natural remedy for migraine.
Arthritis is an extremely painful disease, that makes it hard to accomplish even the simplest tasks, as every move the sick person does involves a lot of pain. There are a great deal of prescription drugs that can be supplied by pharmacies to relieve the pain. So, many arthritis patients consult their doctor and get one of these medications. However, many of them have side effects, and not all of us like using them.
Another alternative is to use a natural remedy as an alternative to medications. These alternatives can provide some relief while avoiding the side effects.
The natural treatments to arthritis that have been found useful are:
1. Aromatherapy – This treatment method uses smells as a way to treat people for a verity of conditions. It may seem odd, but this treatment method has quite effective in treating all kinds of conditions, as well as arthritis.
2. Fruit and vegetables juices – With so many vitamins and minerals inside them, fruit and vegetables juices are a great way to elevate the body’s ability to fight the arthritis symptoms, and strengthen the body to withhold the disease. Many arthritis patients who get on a fruit and vegetables juices daily regime, report improvement in their condition after a few weeks.
3. Green Lipped Mussel Extract – This natural medication have been shown to not only ease the pain of arthritis but to also reduce the swelling in the tissues that the disease causes. The Green Lipped Mussel is a shell fish from New-Zealand. The extract that is made from it has proven to provide a great treatment for arthritis without the associated side effects that conventional medications have.
4. Using herbs – herbs like devil’s claw, ginger, white willow bark, and cayenne can be used too. Just consult a professional in the natural health field as to what herbs you should use.
5. Hypnotherapy – been used lately as a way to reduce and control the pain and swellings of arthritis. If you are willing to try, a professional hypnotist may just help you control and tolerate the pain.
It’s recommended you consult a doctor before stopping using any medication, as well as combining medication with any natural treatment.
For many people, nothing is more annoying and painful than hemorrhoids. The burning and itching can be unbearable, and sometimes, over-the-counter treatments aren’t the answer; whether they don’t work, aren’t available, or you just don’t want to take them. There is another option; a lot of them actually. There are tons of natural cures that you can use at home (and not be embarrassed by having to buy something at the store). Here are some of the best options for you to try.
Some natural cures are effectively cure-alls because they can help cure so many different ailments. One of these natural cure-alls is apple cider vinegar. To treat hemorrhoids, just put some straight apple cider vinegar onto a cotton ball and swab onto the affected area as needed until the swelling and pain is gone. This may burn, but the pain should go away quickly. If the pain is too much for you, try diluting the vinegar with water before you apply it. It’s also a good idea to mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a glass of water and drink daily. This will help with many conditions and keep you in good health.
Another great natural cure-all that is effective for hemorrhoids is mangosteen juice. You can put the mangosteen juice on a cotton ball and apply directly to the area for relief. Just like apple cider vinegar, this juice is a great product to drink every day for good overall health.
There are many other natural products that you can apply to swollen hemorrhoids to help ease the pain. Another great idea is to swab the area with a cotton ball soaked in witch hazel. After this, you should then apply a small amount of coconut oil. Both these treatments can be found at health food stores. If you can only find one, they work separately, but work even better together.
Another great idea for naturally treating hemorrhoids is to take a hot bath. While many treatments will take away the itching, this will also help the swelling go down; further easing your pain and discomfort. You can also use this opportunity to soothe your pain with aromatherapy by adding 20 drops of lavender and juniper oil to the bath. Along with easing swelling and pain, a hot bath can also relax you and help you feel better overall. If the heat doesn’t help the swelling go down, you may also want to try applying a cold compress. Just be use to wrap the ice pack in a towel so it’s not too cold; otherwise you could cause damage and more pain.
While you shouldn’t judge people by what they wear, hemorrhoids don’t follow the same standards. If you have hemorrhoids, or are prone to them, you shouldn’t wear certain types of clothes that aggravate the area and make the problem worse. This includes tight fitting clothes. Tight clothes, particularly jeans can rub and pinch making pain greater. You should wear loose fitting clothes and thin cotton underwear that helps the area breathe. This may sound strange, but men may want to try wearing women’s underwear (boy shorts are best) because they fit and breathe better than those made for men.
The last treatment for hemorrhoids is also a great way to prevent them. Hemorrhoids are often caused by struggling too hard when constipated. For this reason, eating certain foods can help prevent and treat them. The most important thing is to eat a lot of fiber. This can be annoying, but probably not as annoying and the pain and itching of hemorrhoids. The best way to get fiber is through fresh fruits and vegetables whole grains, beans, and of course, bran. You should try to get 30 grams or more of fiber a day.
Hopefully one or more of these treatments works for you. If you try all these methods and nothing works, or your hemorrhoids become so severely swollen you can’t sit, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
The internet is chock full of information about body-beautiful
products and cellulite products are definitely a hot item among
them. ‘Cellulite’ is a popular term for deposits of fat that
have a cottage cheese-like or puckered texture.
It’s important to note that medically, cellulite is not
considered abnormal. Even so, many people don’t like the
appearance of cellulite and would be happy to find a way to get
rid of it.
As with any purchase, smart consumers do their research before
deciding on a particular brand or product. Independent
organizations such as ‘E-Consumer’ and ‘Consumer Health Digest’
provide reviews of products and services so that customers can
make more informed buying decisions. Factors taken into
consideration during the review are price, customer service,
guarantee and return policy.
According to these analysts, a cellulite product called ‘Avotone
Bodysculpt’ is the one consumers should consider. The reviewers
find that it consists of high-quality ingredients and is very
effective.
Significantly, the product is guaranteed to produce results in
less than four weeks and comes with a 60 day money back
guarantee. Avotone BodySculpt scored overall highest for
quality, safety, success rate and customer satisfaction. The
cost of this cellulite product is $69.95.
Another cellulite product highly regarded by the analysts is
called ‘Revitol Cellulite Solution’. It is less expensive at
$39.95 and, compared to the first product, scores almost as high
for quality, safety, success rate and just as high in the
customer satisfaction category.
‘Revitol Cellulite Solution’ has a longer period of guarantee -
90 days – and a higher customer service rating than the first
product.
Consumer Health Digest, another consumer review service,
identifies the 3 top cellulite products as ‘Extra Strength Lipo
Sculpt Gel’ created by Sterling Grant Laboratories, ‘Ab
Solution’ by VyoTech and ‘Transculpt’ by MedaBiotics.
These products, made of ingredients such as caffeine, vitamins
and green tea extract, are recommended as low-risk, effective
cellulite removal or reduction treatments. Price-related
information was not rated.
For more in-depth information about cellulite reduction, there
is a new book out written by a doctor called ‘The Cellulite
Solution’. In it, Elisabeth Dancey looks at cellulite from a
medical point of view, and offers recommendations to remove it.
Among other health-related topics, she explains why women are
more prone to cellulite than men, the different kinds of
cellulite and why even thin women have cellulite. Doctor Dancey
provides advice including the proper combination of
cellulite-fighting foods, exercises that target cellulite as
well as aromatherapy, creams, and lotions.
It’s no secret that doctors recommend eating a healthy diet and
keeping muscles toned by regular exercise. However, research has
led to the availability of products and treatments that can
reduce the appearance of cellulite and improve skin tone.
While these need not be discounted, it must be noted that not
all products are created equally! A little time spent reviewing
the consumer research will help you make a decision with which
you are more likely to be happy.
