Health is wealth

Kidney health

2022-09-26T23:32:00.000-07:00

How I Can Lengthen My Life? By Mr. Koon Yew Yin

2017-09-16T08:49:00.001-07:00

Mr. Koon Yew Yin needs no introduction among investors/speculators in BursaMalaysia.

He is well known for making a big fortune in equity investment and speculation.

Not only is he rich but also a philanthropist. He came from a very humble background. Today he shares his thoughts not on making money but on how to live a long life.

I just reproduce his piece below for the benefits of mankind.

Mr. Koon Yew Yin writes:-

Everyone is afraid to die and wants to live longer. Everyone should be interested to learn how to lengthen his life.

As I have a good track record which I wish to share with you. I am nearly 85 years old. As far as I can remember, I have no experience of headache or any sickness. In the last 30 years, I might have a couple of flu or fever. That means that I have been doing all the right things which you should follow to lengthen your lives.

I have an inherited blood condition characterised by higher than normal levels of LDL cholesterol. My mother died at the age of 36 when I was 10 years old. My elder brother died at 42 years.

In 1983 when I was 50 years old, my younger sister and I had a heart bypass surgery done in London because at that time there were only 2 hospitals in the world that could perform heart bypass surgery, one was Harley Street Clinic, London and the other was Mayo Clinic USA which had just invented the heart/lung machine. Unfortunately, my sister died about 3 years after her heart operation.

Many people including Cardiologist Dr Lee Boon Chye and heart surgent Dr Koh Chung Sen of Ipoh Specialist Hospital wanted to know how I can live so long after my heart bypass surgery in 1983 especially with the inherited blood problem.

When I wake up in the morning, I drink 2 glasses of water and eat half a pineapple on an empty stomach. I drink a cup of coffee and I do not eat anything until lunch time. I always drink more water than I really require.

I always remember to eat to live and not live to eat. I do not over eat. I avoid sugar and I eat very little rice. I prefer to eat fish and vegetables.

This is what I do for my physical health:

Every day I walk for around 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the evening. When there is rain, I walk about in my house.
Physical movement will reduce stress which can shorten my life. As I spend most of my time on the computer, reading, writing or watching the stock market or TV, I must not sit down for more than one hour at a time. I must stand up and walk a few steps.
I have developed a habit of taking a few deep breaths whenever I remember. I can do it at any time, while sitting, driving or waiting for something. I always take a few deep breaths before I go to sleep.
When I wake up I usually drink 2 glasses of water. I eat only fruits and drink a cup of coffee for breakfast. Pineapple is my favourite fruit. I do not eat anything until lunch. In between I may drink some water so that I can keep my weight down.
After my lunch, I have a nap for about an hour. I drink a glass of wine or any alcohol before I sleep every night. Alcohol will improve blood circulation and reduce stress.
At my age, I cannot do much physical exercise. I have a masseur who comes to my house to give a full body massage 3 times a week.

This is what I do for my mental health:

Always keep your mind occupied by reading, writing, playing computer, managing my share investment or watching TV. This will slow down the loss of memory.

Although I have completely retired from executive work as a company director for which I was paid, I am now working harder and longer hours than before. I find working is the most wonderful entertainment and I enjoy doing what I am doing.
After having lived for so long, I accept human weaknesses and forgive those who irritate me. Why should I feel angry just because someone misbehaves? I have only a few close friends and they do not judge me.
Take a short holiday frequently. Occasionally go for a longer vacation for a change of environment.
I must mention my wife’s important contribution. She takes care of my daily needs without which I would not have lived so long.
I love my wife, I love myself and people in general. I enjoy all the good things in life.
I also love music because it keeps me calm and smoothen my life. I think it also keeps my blood pressure down.
Blood pressure is very important. I frequently see my doctor to check and control my blood pressure to prevent stroke and heart attack.

Attitude: How to be happy

My wife and all the people close to me can vouch that I am always happy. I always try to create happiness. I must always remember that when I die I cannot take anything with me. I will spend almost all my wealth to help poor and needy people. I concentrate my charity in helping poor students to complete their tertiary education. I believe education is the best way to help poor families.

Those students whose family income is less than Rm 3,000 per month can write to my wife who is in charge of my charity. Her email address is: kitpheng@gmail.com. I have given scholarships to more than 300 poor students.

All my scholarship recipients do not need to repay the money I spent on them. Instead, they have to promise me that when they are in a good financial position, they must remember that I helped them when they needed, they must help other poor students.

I will die happily knowing that this chain effect will create more and more charity workers and the world will be a better place.

The key to my happiness is kindness and compassion:

You are in full control of your life. Every day you can choose either to be happy or sad. One very easy way to be happy is to appreciate what you already have and that you do not need any more. Always count your blessings.

Remember our ultimate objective in life is happiness. Studies have shown that happy people can live longer.

End

15 Natural Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure By Kerri-Ann Jennings, MS, RD

2017-01-12T07:37:00.003-08:00

High blood pressure is a dangerous condition that can damage your heart. It affects one in three people in the US and 1 billion people worldwide.

If left uncontrolled, it raises your risk of heart disease and stroke.

But there’s good news. There are a number of things you can do to lower your blood pressure naturally, even without medication.

Here are 15 natural ways to combat high blood pressure.

1. Walk and Exercise Regularly

Exercise is one of the best things you can do to lower high blood pressure.

Regular exercise helps make your heart stronger and more efficient at pumping blood, which lowers the pressure in your arteries.

In fact, 150 minutes of moderate exercise, such as walking, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise, such as running, per week can help lower blood pressure and improve your heart health.

What’s more, doing even more exercise reduces your blood pressure even further, according to the National Walkers’ Health Study .

2. Reduce Your Sodium Intake

Salt intake is high around the world. In large part, this is due to processed and prepared foods.

For this reason, many public health efforts are aimed at lowering salt in the food industry.

In many studies, salt has been linked to high blood pressure and heart events, like stroke.

However, more recent research has shown that the relationship between sodium and high blood pressure may be less clear.

One reason for this may be genetic differences between how people process sodium. About half of people with high blood pressure and a quarter of people with normal levels seem to have a sensitivity to salt.

If you already have high blood pressure, it’s worth cutting back your sodium intake to see if it makes a difference. Swap out processed foods with fresh ones and try seasoning with herbs and spices, rather than salt.

3. Drink Less Alcohol

Drinking alcohol can raise blood pressure. In fact, alcohol is linked to 16% of high blood pressure cases around the world.

While some research has suggested that low-to-moderate amounts of alcohol may protect the heart, those benefits may be offset by negative effects.

In the US, moderate alcohol consumption is defined as no more than one drink a day for women and two for men. If you drink more than that, cut back.

4. Eat More Potassium-Rich Foods

Potassium is an important mineral.

It helps your body get rid of sodium and ease pressure on your blood vessels.

Modern diets have increased most people’s sodium intake while decreasing potassium intake (13).

To get a better balance of potassium to sodium in your diet, focus on eating fewer processed foods and more fresh, whole foods.

Foods that are particularly high in potassium include:

Vegetables, especially leafy greens, tomatoes, potatoes and sweet potatoes
Fruit, including melons, bananas, avocados, oranges and apricots
Dairy, such as milk and yogurt
Tuna and salmon
Nuts and seeds
Beans

5. Cut Back on Caffeine

f you’ve ever downed a cup of coffee before you’ve had your blood pressure taken, you’ll know that caffeine causes an instant boost.

However, there’s not a lot of evidence to suggest that drinking caffeine regularly can cause a lasting increase.

In fact, people who drink caffeinated coffee and tea tend to have a lower risk of heart disease, including high blood pressure, than those who don’t.

Caffeine may have a stronger effect on people who don’t consume it regularly.

If you suspect you’re caffeine-sensitive, cut back to see if it lowers your blood pressure.

6. Learn to Manage Stress

Stress is a key driver of high blood pressure.

When you’re chronically stressed, your body is in a constant fight-or-flight mode. On a physical level, that means a faster heart rate and constricted blood vessels.

When you experience stress, you might also be more likely to engage in other behaviors, such as drinking alcohol or eating unhealthy food, that can negatively affect blood pressure.

Several studies have explored how reducing stress can help lower blood pressure. Here are two evidence-based tips to try:

Listen to soothing music: Calming music can help relax your nervous system. Research has shown it’s an effective complement to other blood pressure therapies.
Work less: Working a lot, and stressful work situations in general, are linked to high blood pressure.
7. Eat Dark Chocolate or Cocoa

Here’s a piece of advice you can really get behind.

While eating massive amounts of chocolate probably won’t help your heart, small amounts may.

That’s because dark chocolate and cocoa powder are rich in flavonoids, plant compounds that cause blood vessels to dilate.

A review of studies found that flavonoid-rich cocoa improved several markers of heart health over the short term, including lowering blood pressure.

For the strongest effects, use non-alkalized cocoa powder, which is especially high in flavonoids and has no added sugars.

8. Lose Weight

If you’re overweight, losing weight can make a big difference for your heart health.

According to a 2016 study, losing 5% of your body mass could significantly lower high blood pressure .

In previous studies, losing 17 pounds (7.7 kg) was linked to lowering systolic blood pressure by 8.5 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 6.5 mm Hg .

To put that in perspective, a healthy reading should be less than 120/80 mm Hg.

The effect is even greater when weight loss is paired with exercise.

Losing weight can help your blood vessels do a better job of expanding and contracting, making it easier for the left ventricle of the heart to pump blood.

9. Quit Smoking

Among the many reasons to quit smoking is that the habit is a strong risk factor for heart disease.

Every puff of cigarette smoke causes a slight, temporary increase in blood pressure. The chemicals in tobacco are also known to damage blood vessels.

Surprisingly, studies haven’t found a conclusive link between smoking and high blood pressure. Perhaps this is because smokers develop a tolerance over time (29).

Still, since both smoking and high blood pressure raise the risk of heart disease, quitting smoking can help reverse that risk.

10. Cut Added Sugar and Refined Carbs

There’s a growing body of research showing a link between added sugar and high blood pressure.

In the Framingham Women’s Health Study, women who drank even one soda per day had higher levels than those who drank less than one soda per day.

Another study found that having one less sugar-sweetened beverage per day was linked to lower blood pressure.

And it’s not just sugar — all refined carbs, such as the kind found in white flour, convert rapidly to sugar in your bloodstream and may cause problems.

Some studies have shown that low-carb diets may also help reduce blood pressure.

One study on people undergoing statin therapy found that those who went on a six-week, carb-restricted diet saw a greater improvement in blood pressure and other heart disease markers than people not on a diet.

11. Eat Berries

Berries are full of more than just juicy flavor.

They’re also packed with polyphenols, natural plant compounds that are good for your heart.

One small study had middle-aged people eat berries for eight weeks.

Participants experienced improvements in different markers of heart health, including blood pressure.

Another study assigned people with high blood pressure to a low-polyphenol diet or a high-polyphenol diet containing berries, chocolate, fruits and vegetables.

Those consuming berries and polyphenol-rich foods experienced improved markers of heart disease risk.

12. Try Meditation or Deep Breathing

While these two behaviors could also fall under “stress reduction techniques,” meditation and deep breathing deserve specific mention.

Both meditation and deep breathing are thought to activate the parasympathetic nervous system. This system is engaged when the body relaxes, slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure.

There’s quite a bit of research in this area, with studies showing that different styles of meditation appear to have benefits for lowering blood pressure.

Deep breathing techniques can also be quite effective.

In one study, participants were asked to either take six deep breaths over the course of 30 seconds or to simply sit still for 30 seconds. Those who took breaths lowered their blood pressure more than those who just sat.

Try guided meditation or deep breathing. Here’s a video to get you started.

13. Eat Calcium-Rich Foods

People with low calcium intake often have high blood pressure.

While calcium supplements haven’t been conclusively shown to lower blood pressure, calcium-rich diets do seem linked to healthy levels .

For most adults, the calcium recommendation is 1,000 mg per day. For women over 50 and men over 70, it’s 1,200 mg per day .

In addition to dairy, you can get calcium from collard greens and other leafy greens, beans, sardines and tofu.

14. Take Natural Supplements

Some natural supplements may also help lower blood pressure. Here are some of the main supplements that have evidence behind them:

Aged garlic extract: Aged garlic extract has been used successfully as a stand-alone treatment and along with conventional therapies for lowering blood pressure.
Berberine: Traditionally used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, berberine may increase nitric oxide production, which helps decrease blood pressure.
Whey protein: A 2016 study found that whey protein improved blood pressure and blood vessel function in 38 participants .
Fish oil: Long credited with improving heart health, fish oil may benefit people with high blood pressure the most .
Hibiscus: Hibiscus flowers make a tasty tea. They’re rich in anthocyanins and polyphenols that are good for your heart and may lower blood pressure.
15. Eat Foods Rich in Magnesium
Magnesium is an important mineral that helps blood vessels relax.

While magnesium deficiency is pretty rare, many people don’t get enough.

Some studies have suggested that getting too little magnesium is linked with high blood pressure, but evidence from clinical studies has been less clear .

Still, eating a magnesium-rich diet is a recommended way to ward off high blood pressure .

You can incorporate magnesium into your diet with vegetables, dairy products, legumes, chicken, meat and whole grains.
Take Home Message

High blood pressure affects a large proportion of the world’s population.

While drugs are one way to treat the condition, there are many other natural techniques that can help.

Controlling your blood pressure through the methods in this article may, ultimately, help you lower your risk of heart disease.
Besides medication to treat or tame high blood pressure has many adverse side effects .
So managing HBP as suggested above has many advantages.

Banana

2016-12-06T03:07:00.003-08:00

Bananas are common and very normal fruits but they have extraordinary properties that make them a great super-food which provide us with energy, make us feel full and provide our bodies with the needed essential nutrients due to the high amount of fibers, vitamins and natural sugars, such as fructose and sucrose.

This fruit is consumed all over the world and the price is very affordable in most countries. Additionally, it is the top consumed fruit in the USA.

The unripe fruits normally are green but may have other colour like purple. Upon purchasing, bananas last approximately a week but after some time there are black spots that appear on them and grow bigger and bigger , until the banana turns black.

We think that they are rotten and thus just throw them away. These dark spots are not a sign of rotting but something very unique.

This is the sign which shows that the bananas actually ripen and the more spots appear the better for you.

The dark spots represent the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and the higher this factor the better.

This is a cancer fighting substances that assists in fighting against abnormal cells in the body. TNF helps the communication between the cells in our immune system, guiding the movements of the cells towards the areas in our bodies that are inflamed or infected.

A recent research showed that TNF from bananas can stop tumour cell growth and and spread, causing apoptosis or cell death.

Bananas are packed with high levels of antioxidants which strength the immune system and increase the white cells count. Through this way the body fights off infections and evn cancer.

Aside from these properties, bananas have great benefits, thus you need to include them into your daily diet.

Bananas are good for:-

Blood Presure

They are high in potassium, but do not contain sodium, thus they are excellent for the heart. They lower the blood pressure and prevent heart attachs and strokes.

Heartburn

This condition can be relieved in a minute due to the fruit's natural anti-acid properties, thus if in case you start feeling the symptoms, munch one banana and you will momentarily feel better.

Anemia

Anemic people can benefit from introducing bananas into their diets as they will be provided with iron.It stimulates the production of hemoglobin and strengthen the blood supply.

Energy

They give energy and are great pre-workout snack as they contain minerals, vitamins and low glycemic carbs that increase your endurance while the high level of potassium prevents muscle cramps.

Depression

Due to bananas being high in tryptophan which is converted into serotonin upon digestion, they can fight depression. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that makes us feel happy, relaxed and in better mood. In case you feel down, take one banana and you will feel much better.

Ulcers

Bananas are perfect for this condition as they are soft, muchy and protect the stomach lining from irritation and acid.

Temperature control

This fruit lowers the body temperature and cools you off. This goes for when you feel hot or when you have a fever.

Nerves or PMS

In case you feel stressed out or down , take a banana as it regulates the blood sugar levels and is rich in vitamin B which naturally calm the nervous system, making people feel relaxed and improving their mood.

Constipation

The fibers they contain are beneficial for those who suffer from constipation and they stimulate bowel movement and relieve the symptoms.

Benefits of bitter gourd or Karela

2016-08-31T01:27:00.002-07:00

Bitter gourd or Karela (see picture above) The Plant That Kills Cancer Cells, Stop Diabetes And Lower High Blood Pressure!

Among all plants available on the market and coming directly from our nature, goya is the one to pay attention to.

Otherwise known as karela, this cucumber-shaped plant does wonders for the human health. It grows in South America and Asia, and requires warm and humid climate to grow.

Among the many things it cures, you will be happy to learn that it is excellent for treating cancer, too.

The man behind this discovery is Dr. Frank Shallenberger, a doctor specialized in anti-aging treatments and alternative medicine. As he states, karela can suppress the development of cancer cells, so he regularly recommends it to patients who are dealing with this disease.

As numbers show, karela kills off about 90-98% of all cancers cells formed in the human body, which is astonishing information.

The University of Colorado conducted a study which analyzed the goya effects on the human body, especially with cancer. The findings uncovered that a 5% goya solution reduces pancreatic cancer and almost 64% of pancreatic tumors.

Aside from this, karela is beneficial for treating:

— Skin infections
— Hypertension (high blood pressure)
— Asthma
— Stomach problems
— Diabetes symptoms

By incorporating goya in your everyday menu you will:

improve your energy levels and boost the metabolism
diminish folate-related neural tube defects in infants
regulate your blood pressure, since goya is rich in Polypeptide-P and charantin, compounds responsible for keeping the blood pressure in check and treating type 2diabetes
stabilize the immunity and protect you from infections
improve the vision and repair all eye problems, as a result of its high content of beta-carotene
cure hangover and cleanse the liver
boost digestion
help with gout and improve blood circulation
treat psoriasis and fungal infections like Athlete’s foot and ringworms

Sources and References:
www.homehealthyrecipes.com
naturalherbsandmedicine.com

Benefits of beetroot

2016-07-18T01:43:00.000-07:00

It improves the circulation: The beet offers an immediate generation of new red globules and a more stable blood circulation. It also helps in the fight against arterial hypertension. People who drink beet juice have an improved blood pressure.

It increases your energy: If you are of those with a very busy agenda, you need all the necessary energy to be able to burn it and give good results, so consuming this juice will offer you a couple of hours more energy, especially to people who practice physical exercises.

A healthier brain: Your brain works much better if you consume beet since it contains betaine and tryptophan.

It keeps the liver clean: The betaine that beet contains can help you with liver cleansing and keeps this organ always active and healthy.

It diminishes the constipation: Beet is a source rich in vegetable fiber, so it improves the digestive processes and the processes of excretion, in that way helping your constipated colon.

It supports your eyesight health: Beet is an important source of vitamin A and beta – carotene, and helps you clear out any problems with your

Heart at 100 %: Beet possesses a great content of potassium, so it’s ideal to help you against any sudden heart attacks or strokes.

Old Recipe - Medication for High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol.

2016-04-29T06:17:00.000-07:00

Many today, have high cholesterol and high blood pressure. If left untreated it can lead to poor health and many health issues. There are many drugs available but these drugs sometimes have undesirable side effects. Maybe a better alternative is to use natural remedy.Preparation of this natural remedy is extremely easy and quick, and all you need are some ingredients that you already have in your kitchen. This is how to prepare this natural remedy that will significantly decrease cholesterol and high blood pressure:

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon of honey
1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
1 clove of garlic (grated)
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
Grated ginger (1 piece)

Method of preparation:

Mix all ingredients in a blender for half a minute at high speed. Next, strain, and store the remedy in the fridge for 5 days.

Use:

Take a tablespoon of this miraculous remedy in the morning, before you have your breakfast, and another tablespoon in the evening, before your dinner.

Note that you should not consume it more than three times during the day.

This remedy will strengthen and energize your body, and will successfully solve your hypertension and high cholesterol issues.

Give yourself a chance and try out this

Overcome Insomnia with a simple solution

2016-04-13T05:52:00.000-07:00

Lucky are those who sleep well for 8 hours. For some, getting a proper sleep is actually impossible, and this usually involves late-night trips to the fridge.

Dealing with insomnia can be really frustrating, and being unable to sleep well several nights in a raw affects everyday life and performance.

Fortunately, there is an easy-to-do remedy you could use to get a descent sleep, and it works like magic. All you need is 3 simple ingredients and your cozy bed.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp coconut oil
1/4 tsp raw honey
1/8 tsp sea salt

The combination of these ingredients sets your body in its ‘sleeping mode.’ It normalizes the secretion of stress hormones, keeping your cortisol spikes under control. It is actually the spikes that wake you up in 3am.

How to make your sleeping remedy?

There are two ways to use these ingredients, and make sure you take these before you go to bed.

Option 1:

Combine your coconut oil and honey in a small bowl, then stir in some salt. Stir until well combined. Take your remedy, and drink some water to push it down.

Option 2:

Take a tablespoon of coconut oil, then take a quarter teaspoon of honey. Drink some water to ease the swallowing. Dissolve your salt in water and drink it.

If you still wake up during the night, take another dose of your ‘sleeping remedy,’ and you shall fall asleep within half an hour or less.

How does this work?

Coconut oil contains healthy fats that supply your body with energy during the night. By taking it, you will not wake up starving in the morning. Coconut oil also prevents blood glucose spike, which are another major cause of insomnia.

Although it is sweet, honey does not affect your blood sugar, and it sets you in your sleeping mode. It provides a proper amount of the glycogen that your brain needs. Insufficient glycogen levels stimulate your adrenals to produce more stress hormones, or cortisol and adrenalin. High levels of stress hormones keep you awake at night.

Salt is the third part of your bedtime story. It has the ability to decrease stress hormone levels. Salt enhances the production of energy, and maintains bodily functions under control. Its sodium content decreases the secretion of adrenaline and cortisol.

Acidic body is precursor to having cancer. Avoid cancer

2016-03-17T05:47:00.000-07:00

Dr. Otto H. Warburg gives the best answer for how to alkalize your body naturally by using lemon and baking soda. Dr. Otto H. Warburg was a Nobel Prize winner, famous for his breakthrough in the field of medicine – he managed to find the true cause of cancer. According to Dr. Warburg, oxygen deficiency is the main factor that contributes to emergence of cancer.

This deficiency results in an acidic state in our bodies. In addition, Dr. Warburg discovered that cancer cells are actually anaerobic and can’t live when they are exposed to high amount of oxygen which is one of the characteristics of alkaline state.

Every healthy cell has certain need for oxygen, but cancer cells can survive without oxygen. If you remove 35% of the oxygen from any cell, it will probably turn into a cancerous cell after 2 days.

What we eat and drink on a daily basis determines the proper maintenance of body’s pH levels. The term pH balance is used to describe the balance between alkaline and acid content in every cells and fluid in the human body. Our bodies must find the ideal balance for the pH levels of our blood which is about 7.365 (a little bit alkaline) in order to stay healthy.

However, the typical American diet today includes many acid-supporting and toxic foods including refined grains, processed sugars, GMO etc. Such diet usually results in harmful acidic pH values. pH levels that are not balanced can disrupt the work of cells.

Greatly acidic pH can also result in the occurrence of many different health issues like heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes and heartburn. In case your body spends a lot of time in an acidic state, it can speed up the aging process.

According to Robert Young, the majority of health issues come as a result of the acidic state of the body. This state is great for the development and growth of viruses, bad bacteria, parasites and candida. On the other hand, alkaline state counterbalances their activities. So, how to alkalize your body?

By keeping your pH balance intact, you will be able to maintain your health.

Ingredients:

Two tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice (you can use organic apple cider vinegar instead)
1/3 teaspoon of baking soda

Instructions:

Take the ingredients and mix them well. The combination of acid and base will instantly start to fizz. Continue pouring baking soda to the point when the fizz stops. After that, pour eight ounces of water in the glass.

Drink this mixture at once. With the help of this homemade remedy, you will balance the pH and make an alkaline-friendly environment in the body. In addition, this will help you balance stomach acid and ease acidosis.

Remedies for High Blood Pressure

2016-01-10T05:30:00.002-08:00

High blood pressure or Hypertension is a common disease among middle aged people, It is a disease of the modern age. High blood pressure is the condition where your heart is working more than it should to pump blood and your arteries are stressed. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury. If your blood pressure is more than 140/90 mm then it is considered high. There are certain risk factors of having high blood pressure, these include stroke, heart attack, kidney diseases. High blood pressure can be controlled with natural and simple home made remedies.

Causes

Genetic factors
Obesity
High salt intake
Stress
Excessive drinking
Lack of physical activity

Common Symptoms

Chronic headache
Fatigue
Nose bleeds
Shortness of breath
Diseased kidneys
Frequent urination
Blurred vision
Mental tension
Palpitations

Home Remedies for High Blood Pressure

Garlic

Garlic is an effective remedy for lowering your blood pressure. It helps relax the blood vessels by stimulating the production of hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide. Make a paste of crushed garlic and consume it with buttermilk. You can also eat 2 or 3 raw garlic cloves daily.

Papaya

Papaya is very effective in controlling your blood pressure. Eat a papaya on empty stomach daily in the morning, do not eat anything for atleast two hours after eating papaya. Repeat this process daily for a month and yield good results.

Watermelon Seeds

Watermelon seeds are very effective in reducing the blood pressure levels. The cucurbocitrin, a compound present in the watermelon seeds helps widen the blood capillaries and also improves the overall kidney functioning. Take some dried watermelon seeds and grind them. consume one teaspoon of this mixture daily on empty stomach in the morning and again in the evening.

Onion Juice

An antioxidant flavonol called quercitin present in the onions helps to lower down your blood pressure. Mix equal amounts of honey and onion juice. Take two tablespoons of this mixture twice a day for atleast two weeks.

Lemons

Vitamin C, an antioxidant present in the lemons is helpful to prevent capillary fragility. It is a rich source of Vitamin P that is found in both peel and juice of a fruit. Drink warm lemon water in the morning daily on an empty stomach.

Banana

Eating bananas regularly helps to control the blood pressure. The potassium present in the bananas helps to lessen the effect of sodium. Eat one or two bananas daily.

Coconut Water

Coconut water is very beneficial in controlling the blood pressure. According to a 2005 study of West Indian Food Journal, the potassium, magnesium and vitamin c present in the coconut water helps in decreasing the systolic blood pressure. Also it is very important that the people who are suffering with high blood pressure, must stay well hydrated. Drink atleast 8 to 10 glasses of water a day.

Vegetables & Fruits

Eat atleast three servings of vegetables and fruits daily. The calcium, potassium, fibre and magnesium present in the vegetables and fruits helps in keeping the arteries healthy.

Almond Oil

Consume one teaspoon of almond oil with a cup of milk daily before going to bed.

Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek seeds are the rich sources of potassium and fibre, which makes this an effective remedy for high blood pressure. Take one or two teaspoons of fenugreek seeds and add them to a cup of water, Boil it for two minutes and then strain it. Put the seed in the blender and make it as a fine paste. Consume this paste twice a day, once in the morning on an empty stomach and once in the evening. Continue this remedy for 3 months to notice desired results.

Honey

Consuming two teaspoons of honey daily in the morning on an empty stomach can be helpful in reducing the blood pressure levels.

Precautions

Do some physical activity
Cut down salt intake
Avoid tension and try to be relax
Say good bye to hydrogenated oils for cooking.

- See more at: http://www.dailyhealthgen.com/2014/11/home-remedies-high-blood-pressure.html#sthash.DMt8dB3x.dpuf

Keep kidney safe

2015-12-20T23:46:00.000-08:00

Health Tips
·
15 Common Habits That Can Damage Your Kidneys.

Here is a list of habits you should avoid:

1. The Sugary Soda Habit – A study carried out on employees at Osaka University in Japan suggested that drinking two or more soda drinks a day (diet or regular) may be connected with a higher risk of kidney disease. 12,000 employees were included in the study, and those that consumed larger amounts of soda were more likely to have protein in their urine. Protein in urine (proteinuria) is an early sign of kidney damage, but, when discovered at that stage, the disease can still be reversible.

2. Smoking – Smoking has been linked to arthrosclerosis. The narrowing and hardening of blood vessels affects the blood supply to all vital organs, including the kidneys. According to the study published in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, two cigarettes a day are enough to double the number of endothelial cells present in your blood. This is a signal of arterial damage. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology cites many different studies conducted since 2003 which all link smoking to decreased kidney function.

3. Vitamin B6 deficiency – A healthy diet is important for good kidney function. According to the studies performed at the University of Maryland Medical Center, vitamin B6 deficiency increases your risk of kidney stones. For optimal kidney function, you should consume at least 1.3 milligrams of vitamin B6 daily. The richest sources of this vitamin include fish, chickpeas, beef liver, potatoes and starchy vegetables, and non-citrus fruits.

4. Lack of exercise – Exercise is another good way to protect your kidneys. A large study published in 2013 in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology suggested that postmenopausal women who exercised had 31% lower risk of developing kidney stones. Generally speaking, maintaining a healthy weight will reduce your chances of kidney stones, so get moving.

5. Magnesium deficiency – If you don’t get enough magnesium, calcium can’t get properly absorbed and assimilated, which can result in calcium overload and kidney stone formation. To prevent that, consume green leafy vegetables, beans, seeds and nuts. The mighty avocado is a good source of magnesium as well.

6. Frequent sleep disruption – We all like a good night’s sleep. And so do our kidneys. Science Daily reports that chronic sleep disruption can cause kidney disease. According to Dr. Michael Sole, Cardiologist and founding director of the Peter Munk Cardiac Center and Professor of Medicine and Physiology at the University of Toronto, kidney tissue gets renewed during the night, so sleep interruptions can cause direct damage to this organ.

7. Not drinking enough water – Our kidneys need to get properly hydrated to perform their functions. If we don’t drink enough, the toxins can start accumulating in the blood, as there isn’t enough fluid to drain them through the kidneys. The National Kidney Foundation suggests drinking at least 12 glasses of water per day. An easy way to see if you’re drinking enough is to check the color of your urine.

8. Not emptying your bladder early – When nature calls, you should listen. Retaining urine in your bladder is a bad idea. If done on regular basis, it can increase the urine pressure in your kidneys and lead to renal failure or incontinence.

9. Consuming too much sodium – Salt is important for the body, but you should limit your intake. Over consumption can raise your blood pressure and put too much strain on the kidneys. No more than 5.8 grams of salt should be eaten daily, so take it easy with that salt shaker.

10. Consuming too much caffeine – We often consume more caffeine than we think we do. It features in many soft drinks and sodas, and before you know it, your blood pressure goes through the roof and your kidneys start complaining.

11. Pain-killer abuse – Way too often we take medications too fast, in too big doses and not in the right way. When pain occurs, it’s so easy to just swallow the pill. But, you should think twice. All pharmaceutical drugs come with side effects, and many cause damage to the kidneys. Having said that, there are some drugs that you should be taking. See the next point.

12. Missing your drugs – High blood pressure and type 2 diabetes are two very common conditions that are often brought on by our life style and unhealthy diet. If you already have them, be aware of the damage they can cause to your kidneys and protect your precious organs by taking the prescribed medications.

13. Too much protein – According to Harvard University, too much protein in your diet can harm the kidneys. The by product of protein digestion is ammonia – a toxin your hard-working kidneys need to neutralize. More protein means more effort for the kidneys, which can, over time, lead to decreased function.

14. Not treating common infections quickly and properly – We are all guilty of sometimes ignoring simple colds and flu, and pushing our bodies to the brink of exhaustion. But that can cause kidney damage. Studies have shown that people who are reluctant to rest and heal properly, often end up with kidney disease.

15. Too much alcohol consumption – The toxins found in alcohol not only damage the liver, but also your kidneys. According to Kidney Health Australia and American Kidney Fund, one way to avoid kidney disease is to drink alcohol in moderation.

Must Share this information to benefit all our friends. Remember even if you cannot follow all the 15 tips above in wholesome at least follow as many as possible to have healthy kidneys.

6 Health Benefits of Mulberries

2015-07-11T20:33:00.000-07:00

Mulberries are delicious and nutritious, people all over the world enjoy it. Mulberries are a product of the Morus alba tree. Its leaves, which also contain nutrients and are even used as food for silkworms, are thin, glossy and light green; the fruit, like grapes, is red or white and grows in bunches called “drupes.”

1. Source of Antioxidants

Antioxidants help lessen the damage caused by free radicals and the entire mulberry plant- leaves, stems, and fruit, contains antioxidants. One antioxidant in particular, resveratrol, has gotten much attention. Research published by the University of Texas Health Science Center credits resveratrol for positive effects on age and longevity.

2. Immune System Support

Mulberries contain alkaloids that activate macrophages. Macrophages are white blood cells that stimulate the immune system, putting it on high active alert against health threats.

3. Supports Healthy Blood Sugar

More formal research is appropriate, but mulberry is thought to contain compounds that support balanced blood sugar levels. Traditional medicine in China, Trinidad and Tobago have all used mulberry leaves to promote balanced blood sugar levels.

4. Healthy Food!

Dried mulberries are a great source of protein, vitamin C and K, fiber, and iron. Best of all, they’re available in health food stores everywhere! Enjoy them as a great snack all by themselves or add them to your favorite trail mix. If you live in a warm climate and are lucky enough to have mulberry trees nearby, you can enjoy the fruit fresh off the tree. Not as tasty as the fruit, even the leaves contain protein, fiber, and nutrients!

5. Resists Redness

Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine have used mulberry as a remedy for swelling and redness. A recent Romanian study discovered that a curcumin and mulberry leaf combination may be a new lead into natural remedies for this sort of irritation.

6. Brain Protection?

Do mulberries offer anything to the brain? Researchers at Khon Kaen University in Thailand set out to answer that question by evaluating the effect of mulberry on male rats with memory impairment and brain damage. Although further investigation is required before mulberries can be declared a cognitive enhancer and neuroprotectant, rats that consumed mulberries had better memories and less oxidative stress.

^{Credit: http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/6-health-benefits-of-mulberries/}

Magnesium deficiency

2015-07-11T03:24:00.003-07:00

Could your health problems actually be magnesium deficiency symptoms? The symptoms can be anything from headaches to PMS. Chances are you’re deficient in this mineral as more than 80% of the population is not getting enough magnesium.

Low magnesium is often overlooked, especially by doctors who rarely consider the role of nutrition and vitamins. Yet, there are hundreds of magnesium deficiency symptoms that this can cause, in addition to many diseases that can be exacerbated.

Almost a year ago, I went to my family doctor because I was having painful menstrual cramps every month. I asked him what could be causing this and what I should do about it. His response was that it was genetic; there’s nothing that can be done. His only suggestion was to take an over the counter medication to deal with the pain. But, after researching this online, I found that menstrual cramps are one of the common magnesium deficiency symptoms. Eager to try this, I corrected my ratio of calcium and magnesium and within a month voila! No more cramps!

Sadly, doctors today know little to none about the importance of magnesium in the body and the resulting magnesium deficiency symptoms. Your best hope is to be your own doctor and research magnesium deficiency symptoms to find out if this could be the cause.

Why Are we not Getting Enough Magnesium?

It is very hard to get enough magnesium through your diet, no matter how healthy you eat. This is because modern farming processes have depleted our soil of adequate natural magnesium. Also, there are many other factors that significantly decrease the amount of magnesium absorbed in our bodies. These include:

-Stress: Many of us experience high levels of stress on a daily basis. When we experience stress or anxiety, this causes our bodies to deplete our magnesium.

-Diet: Certain foods can also result in a decrease in magnesium such as caffeine, alcohol, and sugar. It has been estimated that it takes 287 molecules of magnesium to metabolize one glucose molecule.

-Medications: There are many over-the-counters and prescription medications that deplete magnesium. These include: birth control pills, diuretics, insulin, and antibiotics.

Why You Need Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral that is responsible for numerous bodily processes. It is the fourth most abundant mineral in our bodies and is essential for carrying out over 300 reactions within the body.

Magnesium is commonly known for helping relieve constipation, but that is just one of it’s many crucial roles in the body. Magnesium is important for the functioning of your heart, muscles, kidneys, and balancing many other nutrients such as calcium and potassium. Having adequate magnesium levels has been found to ward off diabetes, prevent osteoporosis, and improve blood pressure.

12 Common Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms:

1. Anxiety
2. Weak Bones
3. Low Energy
4. Weakness
5. Inability to Sleep
6. PMS and Hormonal Imbalances
7. Irritability
8. Nervousness
9. Headaches
10. Abnormal Heart Rhythm
11. Muscle Tension, Spasms, Cramps
12. Fatigue

These are just a few of the most common magnesium deficiency symptoms. Additional magnesium deficiency symptoms include: constipation, vertigo, stiff and achy muscles, insomnia, and muscle weakness. There are many more health problems that having low magnesium can cause. If you think you may be experiencing a magnesium deficiency symptom, but it’s not listed above, make sure to do a thorough search online.

Additional Conditions/Diseases Associated with Magnesium Deficiency:

Much research has found that individuals with magnesium deficiency are at an increased risk for developing diabetes, high blood pressure, Parkinson’s, kidney stones, and restless legs syndrome, just to name a few.

How to Find Out if You’re Truly Deficient in Magnesium

When comes to determining if you have a magnesium deficiency, unfortunately, there is not a great way to find out, such as from a test. There are blood tests that can be used to check the level of magnesium in your body to evaluate if you have magnesium deficiency; however, they have been found to be inaccurate. This is because the blood serum tests only give a reading of the level of magnesium in your blood and only one percent of the magnesium in your body is distributed in your blood. Thus, you have to rely on making a diagnosis for magnesium deficiency based on magnesium deficiency symptoms, not a blood test.

It is best to look at the symptoms your experiencing and try supplementing with magnesium and evaluate whether it helped or not.

For me, after looking at the list of magnesium deficiency symptoms, I knew there were at least 3 that I had and it was likely that I had a magnesium deficiency. I also have some anxiety and I’m sure that was contributing to my decreased magnesium.

How to Increase Your Magnesium:

There are several ways you can increase your magnesium.

1. Use Epsom salts – Add Epsom salts to your bath or make a foot bath. Magnesium is highly absorbed through the skin (transdermally) .

2. Apply magnesium oil – Similar to Epsom salts, magnesium oil is made from adding the magnesium flakes (see them here) to water. You can add them to your bath, make a small mixture and spray it on your skin or rub it on with a washcloth. You can also, buy it pre-made.

3. Eat foods high in magnesium – such as leafy green vegetables and nuts. (however, with magnesium deficiency, it would be tough to raise your levels enough solely through diet) This is a helpful chart that lists foods high in magnesium.

4. Take a magnesium supplement.

My Experience with Treating Magnesium Deficiency:

After I started researching magnesium deficiency, the more I explored it, the more I thought I found the cause of my health issues. However, my doctor ignored me when I brought up the fact that magnesium deficiency may be behind my anxiety, menstrual cramps, or difficulty sleeping, so I had to find out for myself if my self-diagnosis was right. I started to increase my magnesium slowly, first by adding more green vegetables into my diet and taking baths with Epsom salts. This did make a great improvement and decreased the occurrence of my magnesium deficiency symptoms; however, I still felt that I wasn’t getting an adequate amount. So, I started making and applying magnesium oil, once every morning and this helped very much. After a full month, nearly all of my symptoms had been resolved.

When trying to increase your magnesium levels, you may need to use a combination of ways to ensure you’re getting enough. You can base this off your symptoms. Also, one sign to watch for, while you increase your magnesium, is diarrhea, if you’re getting too much this will occur.

Do you think you’re not getting enough magnesium? Have you experienced any of the magnesium deficiency symptoms?

Credit: http://www.realfarmacy.com/12-signs-health-problems-magnesium-deficiency-symptoms/

Natural Home Made Juice Recipe to Remove Gout and Uric Acid Crystallization From Your Joints

2015-07-09T06:47:00.000-07:00

Gout is a kind of arthritis which is caused by too much uric acid in the blood. When the uric acid level in your blood is too high, the uric acid may form hard crystals in your joints causing a sudden attack of burning pain, stiffness and swelling usually in the big toe.

While there are drastic measures that can help in reducing the uric acid level in the body, such as pharmacotherapy and surgery, there is also a Natural way that can help remove Gout and Uric Acid Crystals. And the good thing about it is that, it is all Natural and safe.

Here’s the Ingredients you will need for the Home Made Anti- Gout Juice:

*1 medium- sized cucumber

(Cucumber is effective in removing uric acid crystallization in joints like with gout)

*2 stalks of celery

(In combination with ginger helps reduce inflammation during cleansing)

*A slice of lemon

(A natural diuretic that increases your urinary frequency)

1 inch young ginger root

Preparation:

Prepare the ingredients
Cut the cucumber into small pieces
Cut the lemon into half
Wash and cut the celery stalk into small pieces
Carve out the ginger root
Place all the ingredients in a blender
Drink and enjoy

Recommended to drink twice a day for faster results

- See more at: http://www.healthyfoodteam.com/natural-home-made-juice-recipe-to-remove-gout-and-uric-acid-crystallization-from-your-joints/#sthash.0Cez6vUR.dpuf

Great discovery by Dr. Warburg to manage your health and stay healthy

2015-07-07T17:21:00.000-07:00

This drink saves lives and it has been proven in hundreds of studies, yet few people know that the drink is so amazing. People simply do not believe, probably because it is a very accessible and cheap food, but it really is so. Did you know that lemon and baking soda can be stronger than chemotherapy?

The combination of lemon and baking soda are proven stronger “killer” cancer than chemotherapy for about a whopping 10,000 times. Why no one told us anything about this? Well, because there is no profit from healthy people.

They spend nothing. It’s that easy. Billions and billions of dollars that the pharmaceutical industry gets in their budget would no longer exist. Lemon is a proven anti-carcinogen. On the organism it produces a strongly alkaline environment in which cysts and tumors simply cannot dwell. Specifically, cysts and tumors feed on substances that create acidic environment in the body, and as long as the body is acidic tumor can grow. But as soon as you stop the flow of acidity in the body the tumor has no food and becomes stagnant. Therefore, soda combined with lemon is an exceptional fighter against cancer because of their effect is quite alkaline. Namely, combining it with coffee should be avoided and of course all the other ingredients of the body that creates an acidic environment and the result is certainly warranted. This magnificent fact discovered back in 1923 a German scientist Otto Heinrich Warburg, who for his cure for cancer even got the Nobel Prize, but nevertheless, people do not know the truth.

What was discovered by Dr. Warburg?

Dr. Warburg discovered that cancer is the result of anti-physiological lifestyle. Anti-Phuspt diets (with food that is acidifying) and physical inactivity of the body creates an acidic environment poorly oxygenated. Acidity cell displaces the oxygen from the cells, and the lack of oxygen in the cells creates an acidic environment. ‘If you have too high acidity, automatically will be missing oxygen in the body; if you lack oxygen, you will have acidified organism. The acidic environment is an environment without oxygen, spoke Dr. Warrburg.

‘And if you subtract 35% oxygen, cancer cells can create in just two days. Thus, the cause of cancer today is acidified organism and cells without oxygen. In his work “The metabolism of tumors,” Dr. Warburg showed that all carcinogenic forms fulfill two basic conditions: blood acidity and hypoxia (lack of oxygen). He found that the tumor cells are anaerobic (do not breathe oxygen) and cannot survive in the presence of high concentrations of oxygen. Tumor cells can survive only with the help of glucose in the environment without oxygen. Therefore, cancer is nothing but a defense mechanism, which our cells use to survive in an acidic environment without oxygen. What affects the acidification of the body and the occurrence of cancer? The answer is very simple: food. Most people today, unlike twenty years ago, are eating food that is acidifying the body so it is not surprising that the occurrence of this disease is in the systematic increase.

What to eat in smaller quantities?

Refined sugar and all its derivatives. It is the worst, because there is no protein, fat, vitamins, minerals not only refined carbohydrates, which damages the pancreas. Its pH is 2.1 (very acidic).

Meat (all types), animal products – milk and cheese, cream, yogurt etc.

Refined salt, refined flour and all its derivatives such as pasta, cakes, biscuits and so on.

Bread, butter, caffeine, alcohol, all industrially processed and canned foods, which contain preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, stabilizers, etc.

Antibiotics and generally all drugs.

What to eat more?

Baking soda and lemon

Fruit

All raw vegetables. Some are sour in taste, but in the body the change and become alkaline.

Almonds. They are very alkaline.

Whole grains: the only alkalizing grain is millet. All other grains are slightly acidic, but the ideal diet should be a certain percentage of acidity and should eat some crops. All grains should be eaten cooked.

Honey. It has a very high alkalinity.

Chlorophyll. Green plants contain chlorophyll which is very alkaline.

Water. It is important for the production of oxygen. Always stay well hydrated, drink small sips of water throughout the day.

Exercising. Exercising helps maintain the alkalinity of the body because it gives oxygen throughout the body. Sedentary lifestyle is destroying the organism.

Chemotherapy is death!

Although medicine has breakthorough knowledge of the research scientists, cancer is treated with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy often means death. It is acidifying the body to such an extent that the body reaches for the last alkaline reserves in the body to neutralize the acidity of sacrificing minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium) that are embedded in the bones, teeth, nails and hair, and as a result of chemotherapy we have physical changes in patients. Chemotherapy acidifies the body so much that it promotes the spread of cancer, rather than cell destruction.

Therefore, if you are suffering from this disease, start alkalizing the body, in which baking soda that you can buy in any store is very helpful. It is known in the world of alternative medicine as a very good and effective cancer killer, primarily because of its alkaline properties.

Source:-

http://www.healthyandnaturallife.com/why-they-didnt-tell-us-a-beverage-that-is-10000-times-stronger-than-chemotherapy/

Colon cleansing

2015-05-31T03:11:00.000-07:00

The colon is a vital part of a healthy, functioning body. It plays a role in digestion, in your immune system, and in maintaining the water balance in your body. The colon is the part of the large intestine extending from the cecum to the rectum. A colon that is not working properly will hold toxic waste longer than is good for you. An unhealthy colon is one that does not move the waste along efficiently enough. It results in this toxic waste being absorbed by the wall of the colon and into the bloodstream. For a healthy colon, it takes less than 24 hours for food to transit through our body. But with modern eating habits (processed food that lacks enzymes, fibers and nutrients) the transit time slows down to 70 hours. This results in a toxic colon and up to 30 pounds of accumulated waste. (research)

And the most common sign of having a toxic colon is a condition called constipation. Constipation occurs when waste materials move too slowly through the large bowel, resulting in infrequent and/or painful elimination.

Toxic colon Symptoms:

Digestive symptoms
Constipation, bloating, diarrhea, gas, indigestion, stomach pain
General health
Joint pain, muscle pain
Behavioral symptoms
Depression, fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, mood swings, poor memory
Immune system
Weak immune system, recurrent vaginal or bladder infections, skin rashes

The Easiest Homemade Colon Cleanser

Master Cleanse is a 10-16 day cleansing program developed in 1940 by alternative health practitioner, Stanley Burroughs. In 1976, Burroughs presented his cleansing program to the world through a book titled The Master Cleanser.

Ingredients

(single serving):

2 Tablespoons of organic lemon Juice (about 1/2 a Lemon)
2 Tablespoons of Organic grade B maple syrup (not the commercial maple flavored syrup you use on pancakes) – you can find it here here
1/10 Teaspoon Cayenne pepper powder
Ten ounces of filtered water

Directions

Mix everything together. Drink this mixture 5 to 8 times per day for a minimum of 10 days.

You can also supplement with essential oils. They help to support the detoxification process of the body, while increasing the uptake of other nutrients and minerals to help your body re-balance. Therapeutic grade essential oils are effective because their nutrients are readily assimilated on a cellular level.

Ingredients

· Juice from 1 organic Lemon
·10 drops each Lemon and Peppermint essential oils, 2 drops On Guard blend (Keep in mind that many essential oils on the market are not 100% pure and therapeutic; they may have potentially toxic extenders. I use and love doTERRA essential oils,and have had incredible success with them. You can read more about doTERRA essential oils here. If you set up a wholesale account, it will give you 25% off for the next 12 months (click here)

Directions

·Combine in 8 ounces of purified water
·Daily, you can drink over a period of time
·Time period: 14 days

8 Foods That Could Help Unclog Your Arteries

2015-05-20T05:25:00.001-07:00

Cardiovascular disease is actually a buildup of plaque which leads to gradual clogging of the arteries. Statistically, it is the number one killer-disease in the world, and an average of 2,000 Americans die of this disease each day!

Taking into consideration high rates like these, the cardiovascular health is one of the most important body system you should maintain and repair. Progressive clogging of the arteries is usually caused by diet, genetics and a sedentary lifestyle. It is not impossible to treat this condition, and we have listed 8 delicious foods that will help you prevent and repair the damage.

It may does not have the best taste, but nutritionists prefer to call it a super-food! Garlic will not only protect your cardiovascular health, but it can also help in the treatment of viruses, infections and even cancer!1. Garlic

Scientists confirm that by consuming 4,000 mcg of allicin (contained in 1-4 garlic cloves a day) you can lower your cholesterol, decrease both diastolic and systolic blood pressure, and prevent blood cloths from forming. This creamy zinger garlic spread or pumpkin seed and garlic pasta will give you the required daily dose of cloves.

2. Pomegranate

The latest studies have shown that this delicious fruit can clean the arteries from the plaque buildup, and also stimulate the production of nitric oxide in the blood, which will open the arteries and reduce the blood pressure.

This amazing cashew citrus cream cake with pomegranates is an excellent way to add more pomegranates to your menu!

3. Turmeric

Curcumin, the primary polyphenol found in turmeric, has proven to be efficient in the reduction of the fatty deposits in the arteries by 26%! We hope that this is enough to add this brightly colored and tasty Indian spice to your diet.

4. Chia Seeds

Ancient cultures have long used chia seeds, mostly because it is a solid source of hydration and energy. The fiber and alpha-linoleic acid found in chia seeds regulate the blood pressure, lower the triglycerides, and regulate the cholesterol by increasing the good, and decreasing the bad cholesterol levels. Chia seeds are not only heart-healthy, but also versatile and delicious!

5. Cinnamon

The cinnamon challenge is probably responsible for the negative attention to the spice, but when consumed wisely, it is amazingly efficient in treating many health conditions. Take a tablespoon of cinnamon a day and you will reduce the cholesterol levels, and receive a healthy dose of antioxidants. The delicious vegan cinnamon rolls will warm your heart, making it healthier and happieer.

6. Apples

Apples are rich in pectin which can lower the cholesterol and slow the progression of artery clogging. A group of researchers from the Ohio State University found that just an apple a day can help you reduce the hardening of the arteries by 40%.

It seems like the old “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” is actually true! Have some grilled apple pie with vanilla coconut whipped cream and get the necessary daily dose of pectin.

7. Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain carotenoid lycopene, an antioxidant that gives their rich red color. This antioxidant is also found in its lighter or greener varieties. Increase the lycopene intake and reduce the oxidation of bad cholesterol which causes atherosclerosis. And that is not all! Tomatoes are also important for the bone health!This warming eggplant and tomato stew will give you the required dose of lycopene.

8. Greens

Leafy greens are rich in anti-oxidizing vitamins. These can prevent the oxidization of cholesterol, which leads to the formation of plaque in the arteries. Greens also contain fiber, potassium, and folate, efficient in the treatment of high blood pressure.

A single serving of folate-rich leafy greens a day can lower the homocysteine levels. This decreases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, so try to consume more spinach or chard. Green smoothies are the perfect way to consume more greens. Try this delicious green smoothie cheat sheet and adjust the ingredients untill you find your favorite!

HEALTH BENEFITS OF BITTER GOURD

2015-05-19T23:19:00.003-07:00

I chance upon this article on bitter gourd and is trying out for about a week and found it very helpful to maintain my health. As such I wish to share it in this space.

The bitter melon (also known as bitter gourd) looks like a cucumber but with ugly gourd-like bumps all over it.

As the name implies, this vegetable is a melon that is bitter. There are two varieties of this vegetable: One grows to about 20 cm long, is oblong and pale green in color. The other is the smaller variety, less than 10 cm long, oval and has a darker green color.

Both varieties have seeds that are white when unripe and that turn red when they are ripe. The vegetable-fruit turn reddish-orange when ripe and becomes even more bitter.

Bitter gourd thrives in hot and humid climates, so are commonly found in Asian countries and South America.

Westerners may not be so used to bitter melons, so may find them more difficult to consume. But if you can generally take bitter taste, you may be able to take this too. Try it, at least for all its healthful virtues!

NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS

Bitter gourds are very low in calories but dense with precious nutrients. It is an excellent source of vitamins B1, B2, and B3, C, magnesium, folate, zinc, phosphorus, manganese, and has high dietary fiber. It is rich in iron, contains twice the beta-carotene of broccoli, twice the calcium of spinach, and twice the potassium of a banana.

Bitter melon contains a unique phyto-constituent that has been confirmed to have a hypoglycemic effect called charantin. There is also another insulin-like compound known as polypeptide P which have been suggested as insulin replacement in some diabetic patients.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Few other fruits/vegetables offer medicinal properties for these ailments like bitter melon does.

Blood disorders: Bitter gourd juice is highly beneficial for treating blood disorders like blood boils and itching due to toxemia. Mix 2 ounces of fresh bitter gourd juice with some lime juice. Sip it slowly on an empty stomach daily for between four and six months and see improvement in your condition.

Cholera: In early stages of cholera, take two teaspoonfuls juice of bitter gourd leaves, mix with two teaspoonfuls white onion juice and one teaspoonful lime juice. Sip this concoction daily till you get well.

Diabetes mellitus: Bitter melon contains a hypoglycemic compound
(a plant insulin) that is highly beneficial in lowering sugar levels in blood and urine. Bitter melon juice has been shown to significantly improve glucose tolerance without increasing blood insulin levels.

Energy: Regular consumption of bitter gourd juice has been proven to improve energy and stamina level. Even sleeping patterns have been shown to be improved/stabilized.

Eye problems: The high beta-carotene and other properties in bitter gourd makes it one of the finest vegetable-fruit that help alleviate eye problems and improving eyesight.

Gout: Bitter gourd juice is liver cleansing. It helps clean up a toxic blood, improves blood circulation and relieves gout pain.

Hangover: Bitter melon juice may be beneficial in the treatment of a hangover for its alcohol intoxication properties. It also help cleanse and repair and nourish liver problems due to alcohol consumption.

Immune booster: This bitter juice can also help to build your immune system and increase your body’s resistance against infection.

Piles: Mix three teaspoonfuls of juice from bitter melon leaves with a glassful of buttermilk. Take this every morning on empty stomach for about a month and see an improvement to your condition. To hasten the healing, use the paste of the roots of bitter melon plant and apply over the piles.

Psoriasis: Regular consumption of this bitter juice has also been known to improve psoriasis condition and other fungal infections like ring-worm and athletes feet.

Respiratory disorders: Take two ounces of fresh bitter melon juice and mix with a cup of honey diluted in water. Drink daily to improve asthma, bronchitis and pharyngitis.

Toxemia: Bitter gourd contains beneficial properties that cleanses the blood from toxins. Sip two teaspoonfuls of the juice daily to help cleanse the liver. Also helpful in ridding jaundice for the same reasons.

http://juicing-for-health.com/basic-nutrition/healing-vegetables/health-benefits-of-bitter-gourd.html

EXERCISE FOR HEALTH

2015-05-16T00:20:00.001-07:00

For good health, exercise is just as important as correct nutritious food and good rest.

The exercise regime must be regular, not excessive and must be done without neglecting balance diet and good rest. I would like to record below here for reference and sharing an article I just read

Elderly people who do 30 minutes of physical activity six days a week are likely to have a 40-percent lower risk of death compared to couch-potato counterparts, researchers said Friday.

For men in this age group, just a small amount of regular exercise — regardless of intensity — is as beneficial as giving up smoking, they said.

The evidence comes from a major project in Norway called the Oslo Study.

In it, doctors enrolled thousands of men born between 1923 and 1932, who were given health checkups and volunteered information about their lifestyle and physical activity.

The initiative was launched in 1972-3 with a first survey among nearly 15,000 men.

In 2000, the survey was repeated among the same group, of whom 12,700 had survived.

Of these 5,700 were able or willing to continue in the research. By 2011, deaths reduced this total to just under 3,600.

The researchers were struck by the impact of regular physical exercise during the 2000-2011 period, when the volunteers were aged in their seventies or eighties.

“A mortality reduction of 40 percent was associated with a moderate use of time (30 minutes, six days a week) irrespective of whether the activity was light or vigorous,” their study said.

Among those who exercised vigorously — defined as hard training several times a week — the lifespan was a whopping five years longer than among those who were sedentary.

The study, led by Ingar Holme, a professor at the Norwegian School of Sports Sciences, is published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Volunteers who took part in the study after the relaunch in 2000 were the healthiest survivors of the original batch, which potentially skews some of the data.

But even when this is taken into account, the benefits of regular exercise were clear, the authors said.

“Physical activity should be targeted to the same extent as smoking with respect to public health prevention efforts in the elderly,” they said.

-AFP Rrelaxnews

High Blood Pressure

2015-05-14T01:12:00.000-07:00

Our blood pressure has to be right. If the blood pressure is too low we will experience giddiness especially when we stand up from squat position. If the blood pressure is too high it may damage our kidney. These are just examples but it cannot be over emphasized on how important it is to maintain a good blood pressure for a healthy life. I just come across a good article by Mayo Clinic Staff titled "DASH diet: Healthy eating to lower your blood pressure" which I will post it for the benefits to those who need knowledge and some tips on blood pressure management.

DASH diet: Healthy eating to lower your blood pressure

The DASH diet emphasizes portion size, eating a variety of foods and getting the right amount of nutrients. Discover how DASH can improve your health and lower your blood pressure.By Mayo Clinic Staff

DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. The DASH diet is a lifelong approach to healthy eating that's designed to help treat or prevent high blood pressure (hypertension). The DASH diet encourages you to reduce the sodium in your diet and eat a variety of foods rich in nutrients that help lower blood pressure, such as potassium, calcium and magnesium.

By following the DASH diet, you may be able to reduce your blood pressure by a few points in just two weeks. Over time, your systolic blood pressure could drop by seven to 12 points, which can make a significant difference in your health risks.

Because the DASH diet is a healthy way of eating, it offers health benefits besides just lowering blood pressure. The DASH diet is also in line with dietary recommendations to prevent osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

And while the DASH diet is not a weight-loss program, you may indeed lose unwanted pounds because it can help guide you toward healthier meals and snacks.

DASH diet: Sodium levels

The DASH diet emphasizes vegetables, fruit and low-fat dairy foods — and moderate amounts of whole grains, fish, poultry and nuts. In addition to the standard DASH diet, there is also a lower sodium version of the diet. You can choose the version of the diet that meets your health needs:

Standard DASH diet. You can consume up to 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium a day.
Lower sodium DASH diet. You can consume up to 1,500 mg of sodium a day.

Both versions of the DASH diet aim to reduce the amount of sodium in your diet compared with what you might get in a more traditional diet, which can amount to a whopping 3,500 mg of sodium a day or more.

The standard DASH diet meets the recommendation from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans to keep daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg a day. The lower sodium version of the diet matches the recommendation to reduce sodium to 1,500 mg a day if you're 51 and older, black, or have hypertension, diabetes or chronic kidney disease. The American Heart Association recommends 1,500 mg as an upper limit for all adults. If you aren't sure what sodium level is right for you, talk to your doctor.

DASH diet: What to eat

Both versions of the DASH diet include lots of whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products. The DASH diet also includes some fish, poultry and legumes. You can eat red meat, sweets and fats in small amounts. The DASH diet is low in saturated fat, cholesterol and total fat.

Here's a look at the recommended servings from each food group for the 2,000-calorie-a-day DASH diet.

Grains: 6 to 8 servings a dayGrains include bread, cereal, rice and pasta. Examples of one serving of grains include 1 slice whole-wheat bread, 1 ounce (oz.) dry cereal, or 1/2 cup cooked cereal, rice or pasta.

Focus on whole grains because they have more fiber and nutrients than do refined grains. For instance, use brown rice instead of white rice, whole-wheat pasta instead of regular pasta and whole-grain bread instead of white bread. Look for products labeled "100 percent whole grain" or "100 percent whole wheat."
Grains are naturally low in fat, so avoid spreading on butter or adding cream and cheese sauces.

Vegetables: 4 to 5 servings a dayTomatoes, carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, greens and other vegetables are full of fiber, vitamins, and such minerals as potassium and magnesium. Examples of one serving include 1 cup raw leafy green vegetables or 1/2 cup cut-up raw or cooked vegetables.

Don't think of vegetables only as side dishes — a hearty blend of vegetables served over brown rice or whole-wheat noodles can serve as the main dish for a meal.
Fresh or frozen vegetables are both good choices. When buying frozen and canned vegetables, choose those labeled as low sodium or without added salt.
To increase the number of servings you fit in daily, be creative. In a stir-fry, for instance, cut the amount of meat in half and double up on the vegetables.

Fruits: 4 to 5 servings a dayMany fruits need little preparation to become a healthy part of a meal or snack. Like vegetables, they're packed with fiber, potassium and magnesium and are typically low in fat — exceptions include avocados and coconuts. Examples of one serving include 1 medium fruit or 1/2 cup fresh, frozen or canned fruit or 4 ounces of juice.

Have a piece of fruit with meals and one as a snack, then round out your day with a dessert of fresh fruits topped with a splash of low-fat yogurt.
Leave on edible peels whenever possible. The peels of apples, pears and most fruits with pits add interesting texture to recipes and contain healthy nutrients and fiber.
Remember that citrus fruits and juice, such as grapefruit, can interact with certain medications, so check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if they're OK for you.
If you choose canned fruit or juice, make sure no sugar is added.

Dairy: 2 to 3 servings a dayMilk, yogurt, cheese and other dairy products are major sources of calcium, vitamin D and protein. But the key is to make sure that you choose dairy products that are low fat or fat-free because otherwise they can be a major source of fat — and most of it is saturated. Examples of one serving include 1 cup skim or 1 percent milk, 1 cup yogurt, or 1 1/2 oz. cheese.

Low-fat or fat-free frozen yogurt can help you boost the amount of dairy products you eat while offering a sweet treat. Add fruit for a healthy twist.
If you have trouble digesting dairy products, choose lactose-free products or consider taking an over-the-counter product that contains the enzyme lactase, which can reduce or prevent the symptoms of lactose intolerance.
Go easy on regular and even fat-free cheeses because they are typically high in sodium.

Lean meat, poultry and fish: 6 or fewer servings a dayMeat can be a rich source of protein, B vitamins, iron and zinc. But because even lean varieties contain fat and cholesterol, don't make them a mainstay of your diet — cut back typical meat portions by one-third or one-half and pile on the vegetables instead. Examples of one serving include 1 oz. cooked skinless poultry, seafood or lean meat or 1 egg.

Trim away skin and fat from poultry and meat and then bake, broil, grill or roast instead of frying in fat.
Eat heart-healthy fish, such as salmon, herring and tuna. These types of fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help lower your total cholesterol.

Nuts, seeds and legumes: 4 to 5 servings a weekAlmonds, sunflower seeds, kidney beans, peas, lentils and other foods in this family are good sources of magnesium, potassium and protein. They're also full of fiber and phytochemicals, which are plant compounds that may protect against some cancers and cardiovascular disease. Serving sizes are small and are intended to be consumed weekly because these foods are high in calories. Examples of one serving include 1/3 cup (1 1/2 oz.) nuts, 2 tablespoons seeds, or 1/2 cup cooked beans or peas.

Nuts sometimes get a bad rap because of their fat content, but they contain healthy types of fat — monounsaturated fat and omega-3 fatty acids. They're high in calories, however, so eat them in moderation. Try adding them to stir-fries, salads or cereals.
Soybean-based products, such as tofu and tempeh, can be a good alternative to meat because they contain all of the amino acids your body needs to make a complete protein, just like meat.

Fats and oils: 2 to 3 servings a dayFat helps your body absorb essential vitamins and helps your body's immune system. But too much fat increases your risk of heart disease, diabetes and obesity. The DASH diet strives for a healthy balance by limiting total fat to 27 percent or less of daily calories from fat, with a focus on the healthier monounsaturated fats. Examples of one serving include 1 teaspoon soft margarine, 1 tablespoon mayonnaise or 2 tablespoons salad dressing.

Saturated fat and trans fat are the main dietary culprits in raising your blood cholesterol and increasing your risk of coronary artery disease. DASH helps keep your daily saturated fat to less than 6 percent of your total calories by limiting use of meat, butter, cheese, whole milk, cream and eggs in your diet, along with foods made from lard, solid shortenings, and palm and coconut oils.
Avoid trans fat, commonly found in such processed foods as crackers, baked goods and fried items.
Read food labels on margarine and salad dressing so that you can choose those that are lowest in saturated fat and free of trans fat.

Sweets: 5 or fewer a weekYou don't have to banish sweets entirely while following the DASH diet — just go easy on them. Examples of one serving include 1 tablespoon sugar, jelly or jam, 1/2 cup sorbet, or 1 cup (8 oz.) lemonade.

When you eat sweets, choose those that are fat-free or low-fat, such as sorbets, fruit ices, jelly beans, hard candy, graham crackers or low-fat cookies.
Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal) and sucralose (Splenda) may help satisfy your sweet tooth while sparing the sugar. But remember that you still must use them sensibly. It's OK to swap a diet cola for a regular cola, but not in place of a more nutritious beverage such as low-fat milk or even plain water.
Cut back on added sugar, which has no nutritional value but can pack on calories.

DASH diet: Alcohol and caffeine

Drinking too much alcohol can increase blood pressure. The DASH diet recommends that men limit alcohol to two or fewer drinks a day and women one or less.

The DASH diet doesn't address caffeine consumption. The influence of caffeine on blood pressure remains unclear. But caffeine can cause your blood pressure to rise at least temporarily. If you already have high blood pressure or if you think caffeine is affecting your blood pressure, talk to your doctor about your caffeine consumption.

Health is wealth: Cleansing of intestine with flaxseed meal

2015-05-09T20:14:00.001-07:00

Health is wealth: Cleansing of intestine with flaxseed meal: Many diseases are caused by dirty intestinal mucus, fecal deposits and other parasites. For a 70 years of age person , about 100 ...

Health is wealth: Cleansing of intestine with flaxseed meal

2015-05-09T00:35:00.001-07:00

Health is wealth: Cleansing of intestine with flaxseed meal: Many diseases are caused by dirty intestinal mucus, fecal deposits and other parasites. For a 70 years of age person , about 100 ...

Alkaline food for better health

2015-02-22T06:16:00.002-08:00

The medical community has established that an alkaline diet rich in plant foods is key to longevity, but maintaining an alkaline diet is increasingly difficult in modern western culture. Complex alkalizing minerals are contained in abundance in vegetables and a selection of fruits, yet convenience foods, soda, and excess proteins have replaced them. A whole cascade of health issues and degenerative disorders can be traced back to the excess acid caused by our changing habits. Bone loss , acidosis, gut issues, candida, cardiovascular concerns, inflammation, and accelerated aging are all connected to this phenomenon. Many doctors believe that an overly acidic system is a factor in cancer as well.

The good news is that we can do something about it; we can reverse the process and heal our bodies from a number of ailments in a matter of months. This is not a quick fix, and is a lifestyle commitment that requires some dedication. The following steps should help you on your way.

1. Increase your consumption of vegetables and fruits to 9 servings daily. Of the two, veggies are most important for bone building, and should include plenty of onions (these contain superior bone-building compounds), garlic, asparagus, kale, bok choy, endive, broccoli, cucumber, cabbage, collard greens, squash, sprouted seeds, sea vegetables, cress, leafy greens, and more. Wild edibles and grasses are also beneficial.

2. Eat root veggies and tubers: beets, carrots, yams, turnip, rutabaga, parsnip, radish, and burdock.

3. Eat fruits in moderation: avocadoes, tomatoes, grapefruit, limes, lemons, dried figs, watermelon, coconut, and ripe bananas are all beneficial. Dried prune plums are not alkaline but have a distinct benefit for bones and are therefore included on this list.

4. Eat grains in moderation, and concentrate on quinoa, millet, sprouted bread, and buckwheat. (Increase roots and tubers).

5. Reduce animal protein. Meat is highly acidic and should be consumed moderately or not at all. Choose fish and lamb over beef or chicken. Small amounts of goat or sheep milk may be tolerable.

6. Use olive, sesame, pumpkin, coconut, or flax oil.

7. Amongst the legumes, eat lima, white beans, and lentils. Fermented soy products such as tempeh or miso are good.

8. Nuts and Seeds: pumpkin, sesame and almond are best bets, along with fennel and cumin.

9. Increase your water consumption. Decrease or eliminate soda, coffee, processed juices, sports drinks, and alcohol.

10. Use plenty of herbs and spices in your cooking. Cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, curries, cayenne and all the green herbs are wonderful not just for flavor but to help our bodies detoxify

Sugar is sweet to taste but bitter to health

2015-02-10T18:33:00.001-08:00

First, let’s set the record straight by saying that sugar in and of itself isn’t evil, per se. It occurs naturally in plenty of foods, including fruits and milk. With that being said, adding excess sugar to your dietary intake simply isn’t necessary. In fact, you’ll notice numerous positive things happen when you decide to quit sugar for life.

Although people living in the Western world have been trained to desire sugary treats, as well as foods that include copious amounts of sugar for flavoring, we certainly don’t need it. If you stop eating anything but naturally occurring sugars, you’ll notice that 5 very distinctive things will happen.

1. Your Energy Will Improve

Ironically, many of us have a tendency to reach for sugar-filled items, including so-called energy drinks and caffeinated beverages, when we’re tired. Yet without all the sugar, we’re guaranteed to have a higher energy level naturally. In other words, all that sugar is blocking our body’s ability to keep our energy stores at maximal levels. Plus, there will be no up-and-down with your blood sugar, so afternoon crashes will become an experience of the past.

2. Your Weight Will Stabilize

Sugar makes you crave more sugar, and we’re not just talking about sugar in its raw form. Let’s face it: most sugar comes in high-fat and/or high-carb foods that have been processed or at least contain tons of unwanted ingredients. There is, of course, the exception of fruit, which are nearly all sugar.

By going on a sugar detox, your body will not be subjected to the need to deal with all those additional calories. You won’t feel hungry, and you’ll end up losing weight – or at least not seeing the scale fluctuate as dramatically.

3. Your Intestines and Colon Will Perform More Efficiently

If your insides could tell you what they wanted on a daily basis, they would say lots of fiber and a minimum amount of tough-to-digest, impure foods. When you remove sugar, you’re enabling your tummy and bowels to reset their abilities to process what you’ve eaten. You may even find that you go to the bathroom more often … this is a good thing. It means everything is getting back to a normal routine.

4. You’ll Stop Wanting Sugar

It’s a fact: sugar begets sugar. After you rid it from your food regimen, you’ll slowly begin to lose the desire to eat anything with sugar in it. Fruits will taste plenty sweet, and if you do take a bite of a cake or pie, you’ll be shocked at how overpowering and overly sweet it seems.

5. Your Skin Will Look Healthier

Have you noticed that you can’t seem to crack the case on why your acne appears and disappears despite all the creams, potions, and ointments you’re using? It may be that sugar is hurting your skin from the inside out. Many people report that their skin feels and looks healthier after they stop giving in to sugar’s pull.

Ready to Start Your Sugar Detox and Quit Sugar for Life?

While a cold turkey approach to your sugar detox isn’t always recommended, especially if you’ve been a sugar-holic for most of your lifetime, it’s definitely a good idea to start cutting back now. The faster you begin, the faster you’ll start to reap the advantages of going sugar-free.

In fact, in light of the countless dangers of consuming too much sugar, the World Health Organization has changed its sugar recommendation—advising no more than 5% of your daily calories should come from the sweet stuff, down from the previously recommended 10 percent. Considering the average American consumes close to 5 grams each day, we have some work to do.

Start small by evaluating everything you’re eating and drinking. If you are addicted to sugar-laced coffee drinks sold at popular coffeehouses, scale back on how many times you drink them. Then, scale back some more. Soon, omit certain sugar-laden products. Over time, you will physiologically adjust to your new habits.

Remember that it takes about three weeks before a new way of doing something becomes a comfortable routine. If you have slight missteps, such as eating a candy bar after a stressful workday, just keep forging ahead. The results of your diligence will definitely be worth it.

ED, erectile dysfunction due to side effect of prescription drugs

2015-02-08T02:02:00.002-08:00

Most men who take prescription medications know that they’re going to come with a list of side effects, which usually include drowsiness, headaches, dry mouth, or upset stomach. Sometimes, they’re a bit more serious, encompassing everything from skin irritation to allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock. But most of these guys forget one of the more unwanted side effects: erectile dysfunction.

Around the country, erectile dysfunction, or simply ED, affects as many as 30 million men, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Though this figure probably doesn’t include all those men taking prescription meds, they certainly experience the same effects, such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and a decreased quality of life. Nevertheless, it’s important to know which medications may cause these side effects, and speak to a doctor about possible alternatives — or just prepare to have trouble keeping it up. Here are five of them.

Benzodiazepines

It’s interesting that benzodiazepines, which are commonly used for anxiety — but also seizures and insomnia — can cause ED, and thus further anxiety. In fact, you’ll find that it’s a running theme. Anxiety is well known to cause ED, as increased levels of stress harm the body and take away from a man’s libido.

Though common benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Ativan, Valium, and Librium, may help calm a man’s anxieties through sedative effects, they may also end up lowering a man’s desire to have sex, as well as his ability to stay erect.

Antidepressants

Another condition that causes ED in itself, major depression affected an estimated 16 million adults in 2012. Antidepressants are also used to treat anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, and even long-term pain. One of the major forms of antidepressants, called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are comprised of the drugs Celexa, Prozac, Zoloft, and Lexapro.

Up to 60 percent of people taking SSRIs may experience ED, according to Medscape. Though it’s unclear how it causes ED, experts suspect it relates to the way the drugs influence function of the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, all of which relate to feelings of well-being.

Beta Blockers

High blood pressure damages blood vessels, including those in a man’s penis; causing ED. But beta blockers, one of the drugs most commonly prescribed to people who have blood pressure, may also cause them to experience ED. Drugs that fall into this category include Sectral, Lopressor, Cogard, and Tenormin.

Just like antidepressants, these drugs also affect neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically epinephrine (adrenaline). In this particular case, they counteract the stimulatory effects of the molecule, tamping down on a person’s excitement. At the same time, some evidence suggests beta blockers also messes with the areas of a man’s nervous system that make him erect.

Antihistamines

Millions of men suffer from allergies, but some of the most common drugs, such as Benadryl and Dramamine, may be causing them to have ED, too. Though it’s unclear exactly how it causes ED, personal accounts of its effects suggest that it could alter the way men’s nervous systems react to stimulation around the penis. It also seems to be temporary, with sensation coming back gradually after ending use.

H2 Blockers

Also called H2-receptor antagonists, this category of drugs include the popular heartburn drugs Zantac and Pepcid. They’re used to treat gastrointestinal disorders like gastric ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

For the most part, they cause ED when taken in high doses, and the drug Tagamet (cimetidine) is most likely to give men problems. Along with Ed and a decreased libido, they can also lower a man’s sperm count.

Though life on these drugs may seem grim within the sexual arena, taking them is important for treating whatever disease a doctor has prescribed them for. Also, by talking with a doctor about alternative treatments, lowering doses, or taking supplements, anyone who takes these drugs may be able to get some of their sexual health back.

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15 Natural Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure By Kerri-Ann Jennings, MS, RD

1. Walk and Exercise Regularly

2. Reduce Your Sodium Intake

3. Drink Less Alcohol

4. Eat More Potassium-Rich Foods

5. Cut Back on Caffeine

6. Learn to Manage Stress

7. Eat Dark Chocolate or Cocoa

8. Lose Weight

9. Quit Smoking

10. Cut Added Sugar and Refined Carbs

11. Eat Berries

12. Try Meditation or Deep Breathing

13. Eat Calcium-Rich Foods

14. Take Natural Supplements

15. Eat Foods Rich in Magnesium

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High Blood Pressure

DASH diet: Healthy eating to lower your blood pressure

DASH diet: Sodium levels

DASH diet: What to eat

DASH diet: Alcohol and caffeine

Health is wealth: Cleansing of intestine with flaxseed meal

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Alkaline food for better health

Sugar is sweet to taste but bitter to health