Herbs That Fight High Blood Pressure
Rabu, 2008 Mei 14

If you're suffering from high blood pressure right now, you may not know that there are certain types of herbs that can help you lower your blood pressure in no time. They are:
1. Garlic
Studies show that garlic can reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol, improve immune function and help reverse insulin resistance. Garlic also has the ability to stimulate the production of the amino acid glutathione, a powerful antioxidant and detoxifier. In a 1990 there was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind conducted in West Germany. Patients with hypertension were divided into two groups and given either a garlic powder preparation or a placebo. After twelve weeks, patients in the garlic group reduced their mean diastolic pressure from an average of 102 to 89 mm Hg, while the placebo group showed no major changes in blood pressure. Cholesterol and triglyceride levels were also reduced in the garlic group.
If you have high blood pressure, I would recommend you to get as much garlic in your diet as you can. You will find garlic in several forms- fresh cloves, juice, oil, dehydrated granules, powder, and puree. However, you must avoid garlic salt form because salt will increase your blood pressure. The fresh garlic is best- one or two cloves per day. If you find the taste of fresh garlic unappealing, you can use garlic supplements. Look for a product that mention its equivalent of fresh garlic, and take an amount comparable to one to two cloves of garlic per day.
2. Hawthorn
Hawthorn leaves, berries, and blossoms contain active compounds which can increase blood supply to the heart, improve metabolic process to the heart and reduce blood pressure. How does hawthorn work? It naturally dilates blood vessels, increasing the diameter of the "pipes" to lower pressure. If you have blood pressure, it is recommended to take 360 mg. of hawthorn extract per day. However, it might take up to six weeks to see the results- so be patient when you try this natural therapy against hypertension.
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A Diet For Hypertension

Hypertension demands for radical dietary changes in ones life. A diet for hypertension includes eating healthy and a lot of self-discipline. Knowing what food to eat and what not to are important in understanding your condition.
In making a diet for hypertension, you should consider and remember a lot of things. First off, always consider that too much is always bad. So don't overdo your diet. Remember that everything you eat should be regulated and limited into certain amounts only.
For one, salt has a very vital role when having this kind of diet. Doctors would definitely tell you to lessen your salt intake when you have this condition. Alcohol intake too is said to be a no-no! However, it does have a positive effect on your heart, that's why there is only a specific amount that you can take so that it won't have a negative effect on you.
The DASH diet is a diet for hypertension that was made by experts and is what most doctors would recommend. However, unknown to many, it does have its pros and cons that you should get to know.
When you're undergoing dietary changes, you should have a lot of self-discipline. This is for the very obvious reason that food is very tempting. Remember, even a small teaspoon of sugar already makes a difference on your diet.
There are very helpful reports that you can find in the Internet that tell you about detailed information on do's and don'ts for this kind of diet. These are actually very helpful because you can get to know more about the common misconceptions on dieting when you have hypertension. These reports and articles will help you gain a deeper understanding of the condition and help you find the most appropriate treatments. Knowing a diet for hypertension that is best suitable for you could help a lot in alleviating your condition.
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Cerebral Palsy In Children
Selasa, 2007 November 13

For many parents today having their child diagnosed with suffering from cerebral palsy can be extremely devastating for all concerned. In this article, we take a look at what may be the causes of cerebral palsy in children and the ways in which it can possibly be treated.
Cerebral Palsy is in fact not a disease but a disorder, which affects a child's posture and the way in which they move and has been caused by damage to a particular area of the brain as the child is developing. However, with this particular disorder the damage that has been caused to the child's brain is not progressive. But even so just because no further damage is caused to the brain the symptoms associated with it do and as they grow older they become more evident.
Cerebral Palsy is in fact not a disease but a disorder, which affects a child's posture and the way in which they move and has been caused by damage to a particular area of the brain as the child is developing. However, with this particular disorder the damage that has been caused to the child's brain is not progressive. But even so just because no further damage is caused to the brain the symptoms associated with it do and as they grow older they become more evident.
Along with having problems with their posture and movements, some children may suffer from other problems because of their brain not functioning correctly. For around 60% of all children who suffer from this disorder they will have learning difficulties. Whilst around 20% of all children who suffer from this disorder will have a problem with their hearing including a complete loss of it. Then 30% of these children will suffer from a problem known as squint, which because of some of the problems mentioned will result in them suffering from language and speech problems.
As well as the problems, we have mentioned above in relation to cerebral palsy of those children who do suffer from this disorder, around 40% of them will suffer from epilepsy. So life for these children is going to be extremely difficult and will need constant care and attention.
Today one in every 500 babies will be affected by this particular disorder and those who are born premature or they weigh less than they should when being born at a higher risk of suffering from Cerebral Palsy. But also, children whose birth is completely normal but who unfortunately do not develop whilst in the womb may be at a higher risk of being diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.
The biggest problem with Cerebral Palsy in children is that it cannot be cured. However, there are medications and treatments, which can help to improve the child's quality of life. For some children who suffer from the more severe form of cerebral palsy known as "Spastic Cerebral Palsy" the doctors may choose to carry out surgery in order to treat the problems associated with the muscle spasms that these children will suffer from.
In all cases of Cerebral Palsy in children today, a team of specialists will work along side the parents to help the child cope with the disorder. Through their work, a child who suffers from either moderate or mild case of this disorder should then hopefully be able to lead a relatively normal life, which should last as long as most other children.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com
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Taking Care of Your Eyes and Bones
Minggu, 2007 November 04

Tired eyes and backache are two common health woes of office workers.
These problems normally arise from poor diet. Therefore, to solve the problems, you need to change your diet ie choosing food that can protect your eyes, and provide enough calcium for your body.
To keep eyes healthy, Vitamin A and beta carotene are the two essential nutrients needed. Carrots are an excellent source of both Vitamin A and beta carotene.
Research has shown that high intakes of beta carotene may help to protect against damage caused by free radicals. The body converts beta carotene into vitamin A which is needed for healthy vision as well as the maintenance of mucous membranes.
Other sources of beta carotene include tomato, spinach, apricot and red sweet potatoes which are further analysed below.
The level of Vitamin C in your eyes is much higher than in your bloodstreams. However, this level decreases along with age. Vitamin C protects the eyes by reducing ultra violet damage. It acts to protect the lens from oxidative damage and protect enzymes within the lens by removing oxidation-damaged proteins. As a result, deficiency in Vitamin C may lead to the formation of cataracts.
As your body does not store vitamin C for long, it is important to replenish it by eating lots of vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables.
As a guide, you should include the following foods which are essential for the healthy of your eyes:
1. Carrots contain more sugar than any other vegetables, and as mentioned above, abundant supply of beta-carotene which is good for your eyes as well as your skin.
2. Spinach contains protein, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, calcium, phosphorus, iron, beta-carotene, riboflavin etc.
3. Tomatoes are a good source of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, potassium and organic acid. Because of their acidic nature, they protect the vitamin C from damage or lost during high heat while cooking, thereby retaining much of the important vitamin C.
4. Wolfberry has high concentration of beta-carotene, vitamins A, B1, B2, C, calcium, iron etc. One very simple but nourishing drink is the wolfberry-chrysanthemums tea which is good for both your vision and liver.
5. Green peppers are rated the highest source of Vitamin C among the vegetables. They are also a rich source of fiber, calcium, phosphorus, iron and sugar.
6. Apricots are high in vitamin C, A, B1 & B2, sugar, protein, fats, inorganic salt, thus are considered to be nutritious fruits.
7. Chinese dates contain 14 amino acids that your body needs and the vitamins are higher than that found in apples and bananas.
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in your body. Of the body's total calcium, about 99% is in the bones and teeth where it functions to support their structure. The remaining 1% is present throughout your body in blood, tissues and fluids between the cells.
You need calcium for muscle contraction, blood vessel contraction and expansion, blood clotting, the secretion of hormones and enzymes, and sending messages through the nervous system.
Your body maintains a constant level of calcium in body fluid and tissues so that your vital body processes function efficiently. If you suffer from calcium deficiency, you are at risk of developing osteoporosis. This involves loss of calcium from the bones and reduced bone density which causes bones to be brittle and liable to fracture.
Bone loss occurs with age in all individuals. But the loss rate usually speeds up after 35-40 years and involves the shrinking of the skeleton. Bone loss is greatest in women following the menopause. This is due to reduced levels of the hormone - estrogen. Postmenopausal women are particularly at risk from osteoporosis.
Doctors' advice is to start storing up calcium in your body since infancy so that you are able to delay the inevitable gradual loss of bone loss in your later years.
If you have not been doing so, now it's time to start the calcium buildup. The risk of osteoporosis may be altered by factors other than diet. Lack of exercise, being underweight, smoking and alcohol can all increase the risk.
Vitamin D is needed for absorption of dietary calcium. You can obtain Vitamin D from food and when your skin is exposed to sunlight. Thus, adequate vitamin D from food intake and sun exposure is essential for bone health.
Despite the goodness of calcium, excess calcium can be harmful to health. Too much in the blood can cause nausea, vomiting and calcium deposition in the heart and kidneys. This usually results from excessive doses of vitamin D and can be fatal in infants.
Some super calcium-rich foods are:
1. Milk is best known for its high calcium content, however, many people cannot digest the lactose in milk (lactose intolerance) resulting in nausea, bloating, gas, abdominal cramping, diarrhea within two hours after milk is consumed.
2. For those who are lacto-intolerant and therefore cannot drink milk, the next best alternative is to take soybeans or its related products. Not only are soy beans high in calcium, they are also rich in lysine and iron which are readily absorbed by our bodies.
Lysine is classified as one of the nine "essential" amino acids that the body needs for growth and tissue repair and has to get from outside source ie the body can't produce lysine on its own. A 150g of tofu contains at least 500 gm of calcium.
3. Black sesame seeds are an extremely good source of calcium; studies have shown that one gram of seeds contains approximately 85 milligrams of calcium. Black sesame seeds also have high amounts of protein, phosphorous, iron and magnesium.
They are also said to cure constipation by regulating bowel movements. Some Chinese sinsehs also believe black sesame seeds can nourish our hair in keeping them looking rich and dark.
4. Broccoli is chosen for its rich vitamin A, calcium, vitamin B, vitamin C, folate, iron, beta carotene, magnesium, potassium and zinc. The darker colours of the florets, such as blue-green and purple-green contain more beta carotene and vitamin C than those with lighter greens.
5. Celery contains proteins and several other active compounds that promote health, including phalides, which may help to lower cholesterol, and courmarins, that may help to prevent cancer.
It is also a good source of calcium and phosphorus, therefore it helps to stabilize and protect blood vessels walls.
6. There's iodine, calcium, protein, vitamin A, B and minerals in seaweed. It helps to rid of the cholesterol in blood vessels, thereby preventing the vessels from clotting.
Laura Ng urges you to start eating the super foods today! She's also eager to share with you all the goodness of a vegetarian diet - from boosting your brain power, lowering your risk of diseases to weight loss at her website http://www.ionehealth.com now!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com
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Depression and Philosophy

Your personal philosophy of life will help you overcome your depression and even give your life a good meaning. If you are depressed it is because you are sensitive, you are not indifferent to what is wrong, unbearable, ugly and crazy.
You are human. You are not a stone.
However, the emotion you feel is too strong and it ruins your life...
Your philosophy of life has to accept suffering because the human being is very far from perfection and this world is too imperfect in many aspects. You cannot avoid suffering. Your pain will transform you and make you wiser because you will understand how tragic reality is. This conclusion will help you in the future because it will help you to be cautious.
Even if you are completely desperate because you are in a terrible situation and you have no hope of salvation or support, don't think that you are suffering this way without reason, or only because your enemies are responsible for that.
Your pain has a meaning and it can be turned into gold. Since you are suffering, you can also understand the plight of others who suffer. You are not a hypocrite. You will not try to obtain pleasure from being surrounded by so many horrors, like most people do, because they are indifferent.
You may think you would not be depressed if things were not so difficult for you and you may envy those who laugh and have no burden in their hearts, but your philosophy of life will consider your experiences as if they were very important lessons that only privileged people can have because they depend on their resistance.
Give a meaning to everything. Start being a poet or artist.
Describe your mundane moments as if they were the most important moments of your life. Think about the time when things will be much better and you'll read everything you are writing now that you are desperate and simply trying to survive without giving up.
Think about a better future, a better life. Never consider your pain as if it was eternal.
Regardless of what happened with you in your life, forgive everyone because no one is perfect and forgive yourself because you are a mere human being that ignores many things.
Put an end to your remorse and to your hatred forever. Be a philosopher who always comprehends and always tries to keep the precious peace in relationships with others.
If the others make you sad, have pity on them because they are this way and stop thinking about them. Think about the meaning of life and death. Think about human nature, human mistakes, human defects... everything that can make you forgive everyone.
Try to have a better humor. Look for better reactions in your character; try to show a better disposition to your community, even if you feel you only want to disappear.
Think that the world needs you. You have something to say and something to do in this world.
Only because you are a philosopher that thinks and criticizes everything, your life is very important. You can help the others with your conclusions. You are wise, because you are not indifferent. You care, you feel, you remember.
Your tears are diamonds. Later, they will become parts of your strong personality and they will cover your psychic sphere with sensitivity, as well as with resistance to pain.
Your life is long. You still have time to feel happy after all the pain and all the lessons!
Prevent Depression and Craziness through the scientific method of Dream Interpretation discovered by Carl Jung and simplified by Christina Sponias, a writer who continued Jung's research in the unknown region of the human psychic sphere.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com
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How Are You Sitting - Do You Have a Problem with Your Posture?

Stand up straight or sit upright, hold your shoulders back. These are all commands that we were told to do as children so that we would have good posture. Yet we were seldom shown ways to accomplish this and nor do we really know what good posture actually is. The consequences of this problem can be seen all around us: stiff necks, shoulders hunched forward or pulled tightly back, restricted breathing, and tightness in the thighs, legs and ankles. Backaches, headaches, and other painful symptoms are often the unfortunate result.
Good posture is generally considered to be the natural and comfortable bearing of a health person. In the standing position this means the body is natural - but not rigid and straight. In the sitting it means the back is comfortably straight. How you stand, sit and move have a profound influence on how well your body functions. Good sitting and standing positions help to promote normal functioning of the body's organs and increases the efficiency of muscles. One of the problems with being able to do this is that as we start to grow older and tense ourselves in reaction to life's worries and concerns, our posture deteriorates, often quite seriously.
There are many disciplines that work with the structural alignment of your body. Some of these include chiropractic, osteopathy, yoga, Alexander technique, tai chi, cranio-sacral therapy, physical therapy, Feldenkrais method and Rolfing - they can all help to correct structural alignment. There are differences in the way various disciplines view influence between bodily structure and function, however they all work to correct structural or postural problems so that the body is able to work at its best.
In the following section I provide a brief outline of the approach to structural alignment from the perspectives of chiropractic, osteopathy, Alexander technique, yoga and cranio-sacral therapy.
Chiropractic considers that spinal subluxations impinge on structures, such as nerves, blood vessels and lymphatics, passing through spinal column resulting is disease. ‘Adjustment' of a subluxated vertebra removes the problem - thus allowing normal ‘flow' to the diseased parts.
Osteopathy is concerned with the affect structural and mechanical faults will have on physiological processes. They are interested in the impaired mobility in intervertebral joints and work to restore proper mobility - this can be done by working on soft tissue and connective tissue structures rather than actual spinal manipulation used by chiropractors.
The Alexander technique is another way of looking at the body posture. It is a method that works to change movement patterns or habits in our everyday activities. It works to improving the ease and freedom of movement, balance, support and coordination. It is not a series of treatments or exercises, but rather a re-education of the mind and body and a releasing of unnecessary body tension. It can be applied to sitting, lying down, standing, walking, lifting, and other daily activities.
There are many forms of yoga but they all aim to use postures to improve body functioning. Yoga has an overall tonic effect for the entire body as it strengthens the spine, upper back, arms, shoulders, wrists, buttocks, thighs and abdomen. It also stretches the chest and the lungs and spine. It stimulates the cardiovascular system, thyroid and pituitary glands. These measures mean that yoga facilitates the development of a good posture with flexibility and strength.
Cranio-sacral therapy considers postural alignment to be dependent on a free and open connective tissue system throughout the body. Connective tissue surrounds and supports all of the structures of our body and when it is restricted it can cause tension on these structures which can result in postural malalignment. The connective tissue restrictions can be caused by trauma - physical and emotional, or by habitual body patterns due to stress. Cranio-sacral therapy helps in releasing these connective tissue restrictions, freeing the trauma or holding patterns and therefore allowing for free movement.
Each of these approach and others that are similar, work on establishing a harmonious alignment in the structure and therefore also the function of the body. They all have different approaches and techniques - with the common theme of working to improve posture and wellbeing.
If you have a problem with your posture you will experience pain and dysfunction of various joints and muscles. There will also be a corresponding reduction in the function of any underlying organs - such as the lungs or the digestive system and so forth. A well aligned bony structure is an important consideration when you want to improve your overall health and wellbeing. I recommend finding a reputable practitioner of one of the therapies outlined above having any structural problems corrected.
Dr Jenny Tylee is an experienced health professional who is passionate about health and wellbeing. She believes that health is not just absence of disease and seeks to actively promote vitality and wellness through empowering others. She encourages people to improve their health by quit smoking, cleansing their body, taking essential vitamin and mineral supplement and many other methods, including herbal remedies.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com
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