Before you pump out another squirt of that antibacterial hand sanitizer, find out why you may want to make some mud pies instead.

How Cleaning Attacks Your Immune System

Contact with bugs, dirt, and harmless micro-organisms such as bacteria and fungi was once a natural part of daily life in earlier societies. Regular exposure to these microorganisms allowed the human immune system to become “accustomed” to them, hence training it to tolerate other harmless micro-organisms. The result is a developed desensitization to common things like mold, dust or pollen, teaching our bodies to handle them without “over-reacting.”

But if people never get the opportunity to experience regular, mild microbial exposure, than this immune training doesn’t occur.  Excessive cleanliness (especially during childhood) prevents desensitization of the immune system from ever occurring,  causing it to overreact to otherwise harmless substances and throwing your body into attack mode when it doesn’t have to be. The hygiene hypothesis proposes that this is the reason why allergies are more prevalent than ever before, and why someone can be allergic to hundreds of harmless substances.

Cleanliness can also increase inflammation levels in the body, as the immune system goes into overdrive while constantly trying to ‘protect’ the body from harmless invaders. Inflammation increases the risk for chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, irritable bowel disorders, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, primary biliary cirrhosis and Alzheimer’s.

According to a study published in the journal Archives of General Psychiatry, excessive inflammation caused by an overly clean society can also increase the risk for depression. “We have known for a long time that people with depression, even those who are not sick, have higher levels of inflammation,” explains study author Charles Raison. “There is mounting evidence that disruptions in ancient relationships with micro-organisms in soil, food and the gut may contribute to the increasing rates of depression.”  And depression isn’t the only mental problem associated with being overly hygienic; chronic anxiety and a range of other mood disorders may also be connected to excessive cleanliness.

The Impact on the Immune Systems of Future Generations

Our obsession with cleaning away any chance of childhood infections may have backfired when it comes to our children’s long-term health. A study conducted on 700 adults found that viral infections in early childhood may reduce the risk for heart disease later in life. In fact, participants who had two childhood viral infection had a 40 percent reduced risk of coronary heart disease, and those who had six viral infections had a 90 percent lower risk. This is a profound statistic, considering the fact that heart disease is the leading cause of death in North America.

Moreover, your body has a strong, natural ability to combat many viral infections, so antibiotics should only be used when absolutely necessary. This is because the intake of antibiotics not only kills off the harmful bacteria, but also kills off the “good” bacteria in our guts, that are necessary for healthy digestion and proper immune functions.

Excessive skin cleanliness is another practice that can cause more harm than good. Scientists warn that bacteria on the skin’s surface are required to prevent rashes; therefore, over cleaning the skin impairs its ability to stay healthy. Over cleaning can also dry out the skin, increase the formation of wrinkles, worsen eczema and cause acne, which is likely what people are striving to avoid by over-cleaning their skin in the first place.

So only use antibiotic hand and face wash in moderation, take antibiotics as an absolute last resort, and increase your intake of probiotic rich foods—these measures may make the difference between chronic bouts of illness and a clean bill of health.

The post For a Clean Bill of Health – Eat Dirt appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Prompted by a need for an alternative treatment, an international team of researchers gathered to finally free millions of watery-eyed allergy victims, testing out a brand new seasonal remedy. With mass sighs of relief and whooping applause, the results of this study could open the door to a whole new methodology for treating allergies.

The new seasonal allergy remedy is a daily pill that is designed to relieve ragweed allergy symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion and itchy, watery eyes. The pill contains a high dose of a ragweed pollen protein, called Ambrosia artemisiifolia, that is dissolved under the tongue rather than swallowed.

To test how well the pill works, researchers conducted a study on 784 men and women over one year. The results of the study were published in the May edition of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

The Results of the Study

In a double-blind study, the participants were randomly assigned a low, medium or high dose of the new pill or a placebo pill. The patients kept a detailed daily diary of their symptoms throughout the study and to record any use of other allergy medications. There were no hazardous effects from the pill, but some participants reported itchy tongue, swollen lips and mild throat irritation.

According to the study, a daily-dose of a pill that contains approximately 12 units of the Ambrosia artemisiifolia protein, works as an effective remedy for allergy symptoms such as runny nose and itchy eyes.

The researchers also noted a 27 percent decrease in the need for allergy medications and nasal steroids among the participants taking the 12 unit dose. There was also a 24 percent decrease in noticeable symptoms and medication use during peak ragweed season (which falls between August and October, depending on geographical location).

“Our results show this oral tablet for ragweed allergy is highly effective and well-tolerated, and offers considerable relief from what many allergy sufferers consider the most agonizing part of the year,” states allergist and lead study investigator Peter Creticos, M.D.

A More Convenient Remedy

The pill works similar to allergy injections, because it exposes the seasonal allergy sufferer to a tiny amount of the allergen, letting their immune system build resistance to the allergen.

This new treatment may be more convenient because it eliminates the hassle and risk of allergy shots. Current allergy pills work by blocking the release of histamine in the body, as opposed to helping the immune systems build up it’s own tolerance to the actual allergen.

Ultimately, this new treatment combines the simplicity of taking an antihistamine with the effectiveness of allergy shots.

The pill is not yet available to the public and is currently being reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval. Once it goes out on the market, this new remedy could set the stage for the development of all sorts of allergy medications that target the immune system directly (rather than just trying to blunt symptoms), potentially providing relief for a range of other allergies as well.

The post Allergy Sufferers Bid a Teary Farewell to Ragweed Allergies – For Good! appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

With the increasing number of deaths in China from the latest  H7N9 avian (bird) flu, people around the world are becoming tense once again when it comes to travel or crowded areas.  Although it hasn’t made its way to North America yet, people are being advised to follow certain flu prevention health tips to minimize the risk of contracting this virus, and to stop this deadly flu from spinning into an all-out global pandemic.

New Bird Flu Identified

Bird flu commonly refers to a type of flu that affects wild and domesticated birds and although it is easily transmitted among birds, it is uncommon for it to spread to humans. However, bird flu has been seen in humans. This usually happens after they have come into contact with infected poultry. In 2011, a highly contagious strain of the bird flu, H1N1, was seen and recently a new strain of the bird flu, H7N9 has been found in China. Unfortunately, there have been a steady number of human cases involving this new strain, some of which have resulted in death. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the new H7N9 strain of the flu has characteristics that make it well-adapted to affect the human population. Currently, there is no vaccination against the H7N9 strain, so flu prevention steps are essential to stopping the spread of the virus.

 Flu Prevention Health Tips to Follow

While human-to-human spread of the H7N9 strain of bird flu is not completely known, it is best to take regular flu prevention steps just in case human-to-human transmission is possible. These flu prevention health tips include:

1. Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
3. Avoid close contact with sick people.
4. Lead a healthy lifestyle – eat a healthy diet, exercises regularly, and manage your stress levels to help your immune system function optimally.
5. If you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose to prevent the spread of germs to those around you. Avoid using your hands; try coughing or sneezing into your arm or shoulder instead.
6. If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever has gone away.

If you have been exposed to the flu virus, you can get a prescription for anti-viral medication from your doctor which may help to prevent you from getting sick.

Flu Prevention Health Tips for Travellers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that travellers refrain from visiting countries where bird flu has been seen in poultry, other birds, or humans. However, if you must travel to these areas, the CDC recommends that you take precautions to minimize your risk of getting sick. These health tips include:

1. Avoid direct contact with all poultry and birds.
2. Avoid touching surfaces that have bird droppings on them.
3. Avoid visiting poultry farms or bird markets.
4. If you are going to eat bird products or poultry, make sure that they are cooked thoroughly.
5. Practice the general flu prevention health tips mentioned above.
6. If you do start to feel sick, seek medical attention immediately.
7. On your return home, monitor your symptoms for 7 days and seek medical attention if you start to notice any flu like symptoms and make sure you tell your doctor that you have travelled to a region where bird flu is present.

While human cases of bird flu are rare, they are being seen in China with the H7N9 strain of the virus.  For the time being, it is best to avoid travel to this area unless it is absolutely necessary.

The post How You Can Protect Yourself From the Newest Bird Flu Outbreak appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Top 5 Teas for Good Health and a Strong Immune System

1. Green Tea

Green tea has long been a staple in Indian and Chinese diets – and for good reason. It is an excellent source of antioxidants, which helps to slow down aging and prevent your cells and DNA from fee radical-induced damage. It also helps to lower cholesterol levels, reduce the risk for heart disease, protect against cancer, reduce inflammatory bowel disease symptoms, control blood sugar levels in diabetics, and reduce the risk for liver disease. As if all that weren’t enough, green tea also helps you lose weight by boosting your metabolism and increasing your body’s fat burning capabilities.

2. Dandelion Tea

Most of our diets do not include a steady intake of dandelion, which is a shame because dandelions are excellent at promoting good health. Drinking dandelion tea is an easy way to get all of the health benefits that dandelion confers without having to actually eat the bitter tasting weed. Dandelion tea helps purify the blood, heal acne, relieve stomach upset, lower high blood pressure and improve bowel function. Dandelion tea also works as a mild detoxifier by helping to cleanse your liver and kidneys, and preliminary studies suggest that it may also help boost your immune system.

3. Ginseng Tea

Chinese healers have used ginseng for the promotion of good health for over 5,000 years. Today, ginseng is often prescribed by alternative practitioners as a general health tonic, to enhance longevity, to combat weakness, to boost the immune system and to balance hormones. In North America, it is well known for its ability to boost both mental and physical energy, and athletes often use it for added stamina. Despite its plethora of health benefits, you should be cautious of drinking it if you have high blood pressure, because a high consumption of ginseng can increase blood pressure.

4. Nettle Tea

Nettle tea is a natural diuretic, helping to reduce water retention. It helps to promote good health by reducing inflammation in the body, and it has been used for hundreds of years to treat eczema, acne, insect bites, gout, anemia and painful muscles and joints.  Its ability to reduce inflammation also makes it useful for relieving painful symptom of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), arthritis, and osteoporosis. Nettle tea is also used for kidney and bladder problems and it may help prevent and treat urinary tract infections.

5. Ginger Tea

Ginger has amazing health properties, but due to its strong and unique flavor some people find it hard to incorporate into their daily diets. Ginger contains numerous antioxidants and phytochemicals, which are plant-based nutrients that have disease fighting properties. Ginger helps to reduce inflammation, promote digestion and cleanse the colon, making it excellent for all types of bowel disorders. It also helps to boost the immune system and is excellent for fighting off cold and flu. And the health benefits don’t stop there — ginger has also been found to protect against colon and ovarian cancer, reduce arthritis pain, and relieve nausea, dizziness and vomiting.

The post It’s Tea Time – Top 5 Teas for Good Health appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Bad Habit #1 – Washing Your Clothes in Cold Water

While this seems like a great way to save energy and money all while helping the environment, washing your clothes in cold water is hazardous to your health. You may think that your washing machine is clean, when it fact it harbours significant amounts of E.Coli which aren’t killed in cold temperatures. Additionally, your clothes contain germs that you have come into contact with throughout the day, which can range from E.Coli, to Salmonella to Noro virus. If you wash your clothes in cold water, these germs aren’t being killed, which means that they could negatively affect your immune system and increase your infection risk. In order to kill most bacteria, viruses and dust mites, it is recommended that you wash your clothes at a temperature of at least 60 degrees Celsius.

Bad Habit #2 – Washing Your Undies with Household Laundry (tea towels, etc.)

You may be throwing all of your dirty laundry into one load to save time and money, but washing your underwear with dish towels and other similar household laundry is definitely a bad habit that you’re going to want to break immediately. Underwear frequently has E.Coli and Staphylococcus aureus on them. These bugs will be transferred from your underwear to your dish towels and then onto your dishes and utensils which go directly into your mouth, thereby increasing your infection risk. In order to be safe, kitchen laundry and bathroom laundry should be washed separately, both at a high temperature to kill the germs that can negatively affect your immune system.

Bad Habit #3 – Using the Same Utensils from Start to Finish of Meal Preparation

You may not even think about it, but using the same knives, forks, spoons and spatulas throughout the preparation of your family’s dinner is opening up the door to foodborne illness. Raw meat, fish and poultry all contain dangerous bacteria that can make you and your loved ones incredibly sick with food poisoning. For individuals with a weakened immune system, the risk of food poisoning is even greater. Be sure to wash your utensils thoroughly after they have come into contact with raw meat, fish and/or poultry.

Bad Habit #4 – Using Kitchen Clothes or Sponges to Wipe Countertops and Other Kitchen Surfaces

Kitchen countertops are a breeding ground for bacteria. Germs can survive on kitchen surfaces for several hours so it is vital that you clean your countertops, cutting boards, utensils, dish clothes and tea towels clean in order to minimize infection risk. Don’t use sponges or reusable kitchen clothes to clean surfaces as food particles can adhere to these surfaces and make clean up difficult because of the spread of bacteria. Instead use paper towels to clean kitchen surfaces and dispose of them immediately after.

Bad Habit #5 – Using the Same Dish Towel to Dry Dishes and Dry Your Hands

Your hands transport germs throughout your house and using the same towel to dry your hands and dry your dishes contaminates clean dishes with potentially harmful germs from your hands. It may seem inconvenient, but having separate towels available in the kitchen for these two tasks will drastically minimize the risk of cross-contamination.

There you have it – five bad habits that you may not have even realized you were doing that could be negatively affecting your immune system by allowing nasty germs into your body and increasing your infection risk. Changing these five habits is simple and requires minimal effort but will have a long lasting effect on your health.

The post 5 Thoughtless Bad Habits You Don’t Expect appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Everyone Knows Smoking and Tobacco are Bad

The statistics on smoking are shocking, and continue to get worse, with smoking and tobacco use near the top of the list of dangerous pastimes, and abused substances. Smoking has detrimental health effects. It kills an average of 1200 people every single day across North America.

The real problems are heating up too as the big multi-billion dollar tobacco industry gets taken on in court. One federal judge has taken a stance that has turned heads, by re-emphasizing an earlier order that smoking and tobacco companies need to publish statements saying they weren’t truthful about the dangers of smoking cigarettes, and weren’t upfront about the ill health effects. What adds insult to injury and really sticks it to tobacco companies is that they are actually being told that not only will they need to issue the corrective statements, but they could need to pay for them too.

What is Supposed to Happen Regarding the “Corrective” Statements?

Every smoking ad that airs is told that they need to have full disclosure, and tell the public that not only is smoking dangerous, and each company was purposely misleading to the consumer, but that smoking in North America kills more people than murder, car crashes and death as a result of alcohol combined.

The original case that stated the need for these sorts of public statements go back several years, all the way back to 1999 in fact. One judge said that cigarette companies has been purposely deceptive by trying to hide the dangers of smoking from the public for many years and as a result it was only fair that they pay out of their own pockets for the ads to try and turn things around, or at least make an attempt at being more honest.

How Tobacco and Smoking Ads are Now on the Hook

The statements Kessler chose included five categories: adverse health effects of smoking; addictiveness of smoking and nicotine; lack of significant health benefit from smoking cigarettes marked as “low tar,” “light,” etc.; manipulation of cigarette design and composition to ensure optimum nicotine delivery; and adverse health effects of exposure to secondhand smoke.

The dangers of smoking are vast, and most people find their strong addiction to nicotine to be the main reason why they done quit. The reasons why people should quit smoking are extensive, and include:

-There is no safe level of second hand smoke, which means even people who don’t smoke are at a heightened risk.

-Cigarettes were made to purposely be addictive for the individual

- Smoking kills over 1000 people every single day

RELATED READING:
Introducing The ‘Next Generation  CoQ10′ That’s Up To 827% More Powerful

-Smoking and secondhand smoke causes lung cancer and heart disease, even in people who do not smoke.

-Children who are exposed to cigarette smoke are at risk for problems with their respiratory systems, ears nose and throat, and could suffer heavily reduced lung function.

The post Tobacco Industry Now Has to Explain Themselves appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Why Food Allergies Seem to be on the Rise

Experts say that over 11 million people in the United States suffer from a different form of food allergy. That is a pretty staggering number, and is brought even more to the forefront because of the fact that food labels seem to be more difficult to read than ever. With the variety of unpronounceable chemical names and additives, it becomes harder for shoppers and consumers to know exactly what they are taking in.

What are Some of the Most Common Food Allergies

There is 8 general groupings of food that account for almost all (90%) of food allergies. They are as follows:

-Peanuts
-Other nuts that grow on trees (such as pecans)
-Shellfish
-Other types of fish
-Soy
-Milk
-Wheat
-Eggs

And these are just considered to be the major ones. There are thousands of other types of allergies and types of allergic reactions that vary from mild to severe. Sulfites, tannins and various food additives can bother different people at different times in their life from childhood through to adulthood.

Is it Even Possible to Avoid Food Allergies in Today’s Society?

The short answer is yes, but it definitely takes a conscious eye for detail, and what you consume. The rule of thumb is to always check with your healthcare practitioner to gain some perspective on what medications, vitamins or supplements you might be taking, because there are often additives that aren’t completely obvious on the label.

Not only this, but as a rule, it is a safe bet that for a whole slew of reasons, any processed food or fast food could have something in it that you haven’t planned for. Taking a good look at the label and picking up the often available nutrition guides recently available at most fast food chains can give you an idea of the additives in your food that could cause an allergy or allergic reaction that you weren’t expecting.

RELATED READING: Ineffective Ways Your Allergies Are Being Tested

Nutritional experts will also warn of something called “cross contamination” that can affect the food you take in too. Be aware of how you package your leftovers, or if it is done for you at a restaurant. Some people have allergies that can be heavily triggered off by the simple act of one affected food item touching or mixing with another one.

The post Some of the Most Common Food Allergies – 2013 appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Smoking and Bladder Cancer

Looking for yet another great reason to quit smoking once and for all? Well here’s a fact you may not be aware of — smoking is considered the leading risk factor for developing bladder cancer. In fact, a study published in “The Journal of the American Medical Association,” in 2011, found that smoking causes at least 50% of all bladder cancer cases in both males and females.  And bladder cancer is not as uncommon as you may think; it is the 6^th most common cancer in the United States. Although both males and females are at risk for bladder cancer, males have a higher risk and approximately 1 in 26 males will develop it during their lifetime.

The Smoking/Bladder Cancer Study

For the study, researchers analyzed data questionnaires pertaining to the health of 450,000 men and women. The questionnaires were filled-out in 1995, and the researchers followed-up with the participants in 2006. According to the study, current smokers have a 4 times higher risk of developing bladder cancer than people who have never smoked. Although the risk is reduced for those who quit smoking, previous smokers still have twice the risk of bladder cancer, compared to people who have never smoked at all. To put a more positive spin on that fact – if you quit smoking today, you will in effect, reduce your bladder cancer risk by 50 percent.

Smoking and Other Bladder Problems

Bladder cancer isn’t the only bladder related risk you incur from smoking. Smoking may also increase your risk of overactive bladder syndrome, which is a condition characterized by increased urinary urgency and frequency, as well as urine leakage.

RELATED READING:  Why Suffer in Silence When You  Can Conquer Your Leaky Bladder

Smoking may also worsen the pain associated with interstitial cystitis, which is a chronic condition characterized by pressure, burning and sometimes extreme discomfort of the bladder area. Finally, smoking may increase the risk of bladder infections because it reduces beneficial bacteria and increases the risk for all types of bacterial infections. Although no studies have been conducted to prove a connection between smoking and bladder infections, many people have reported a reduction in them after they quit smoking.

How Smoking Affects Your Bladder

Cigarettes contain a number of harmful chemicals that are extremely irritating to the walls of your bladder. When you inhale tobacco smoke, the chemicals move through your body and are filtered into your urine. As the urine sits in your bladder waiting to be eliminated, the toxic chemicals in the urine remain in contact with your bladder and cause damage to the cells and lining of the bladder wall. Smoking also causes frequent coughing, which forces the abdominal walls to put pressure on the bladder and can lead to a weakening of the bladder and pelvic floor muscles. Overtime, the bladder can get worn down and it becomes more vulnerable to serious bladder problems such as incontinence and cancer

The post Smoking Linked to Half of Bladder Problems appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

These symptoms actually represent our immune system at work, in which specific cells start producing substances called histamines to combat the pollen present in our immediate environment.  These histamines from our immune system are indeed very potent human substances against foreign particles, but they also result in symptoms of allergies.  Current treatment schemes for allergies include taking anti-histamine medications; for those concerned about taking medications, staying indoors especially during windy days may also help.

The Medical Report on Seasonal Allergies

According to a recent medical report published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture may also be used for the prevention of seasonal allergies.  Acupuncture is considered as a traditional alternative form of medicine that involves the placement of very thin needs at specific points of the body.  These particular acupuncture points represent areas in which the energy of the body, which is called qi in Chinese, is generally blocked during illness, resulting an imbalance in the body.  The introduction of needles into these acupoints during acupuncture thus remedies this imbalance, allowing the body to achieve a correct and healthy status once again.

The Immune System Study

Using a study population consisting of approximately 1,058 patients from 13 different centers in China, individuals suffering from seasonal allergies were treated with acupuncture.  Before receiving acupuncture, the study participants were assessed in terms of the severity of their allergies, the type of medications they were taking for allergies, and their general health.

The Effects of Acupuncture on Seasonal Allergies

In order to fully understand and appreciate the effects of acupuncture on seasonal allergies, the study population was randomly divided into three groups.  One group received acupuncture treatment coupled with anti-histamine medications, the second group received needle treatments in other areas of the body that were not recognized as acupoints, thus representing fake acupuncture, together with anti-histamine medications.  The third group, as a control group, only received anti-histamine medications.

RELATED READING:   Blurry and Poor Vision Not Caused by Aging

The results of the study showed that study participants who received this alternative Chinese method improved their symptoms of allergies compared to those that were simply on anti-histamines and/or underwent fake needle treatment.  However, these improved symptoms only lasted for two months and the study participants developed symptoms of allergies again after some time.

Acupoint Treatment of Seasonal Allergies

This recent medical report shows the effectiveness of acupoint treatment on seasonal allergies.  In this case, the application of ultra-thin needles may possibly influence the activity of the immune system, although the research study did not directly investigate this association.  Millions of people around the world struggle with severe reactions of the immune system during spring and thus a long-lasting and effective treatment yet needs to be identified to help those suffering from a runny nose and sneezing due to pollen and other allergenic particles in the air.

The post Acupuncture – What it Means for Allergies appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Quit Smoking – Before What Age?

The University of Toronto analyzed data on 200,000 US citizens who had participated in a National Health Interview survey. According to the survey, smokers were three times more likely to die than people who had never touched a cigarette, and only half as likely to reach the age of 80. On a more positive note, they found that smoking cessation will increase your life expectancy by several years, regardless of how old you are when you choose to quit. However, the sooner you quit smoking the better, and if you quit smoking before the age of 44, you will be able to gain back close to the entire 10 years of your smoking-associated reduced life expectancy.

The researchers warn however, that this does not mean that it is safe to smoke until you are 44 and then quit, because a slightly increased risk of death will still remain—a risk that is not worth taking. According to the study, if you quit smoking between the ages of 45 and 54, you can add six years on to your current life expectancy, and if you quit between the ages of 55 and 64, you can add four years. Although the study did not examine the effects of quitting after 64, it is probably safe to assume that you will live longer if you quit than if you continue to smoke.

RELATED READING: What Won’t Help You Quit Smoking

According to Norman Edelman, chief medical officer of the American Lung Association, the risk that people have for contracting and dying from smoking-related diseases, is directly related to the total number of cigarettes they have smoked in their life. As you might suspect, the greater the amount of packs you have smoked, the greater the risk for contracting and dying from a smoking-related disease. Unfortunately, if you’ve smoked approximately 18,000 packs or more (a pack a day for 50 years, or 2 packs a day for 25), your risk for lung cancer and other smoking related diseases will never return to that off a non-smoker, regardless of when you quit.

In the Process of Quitting Smoking?

If you have quit smoking or are in the process of doing so, and you truly want to live longer, the following suggestions can help you to do just that. First off, increase your intake of antioxidants, because smoking cause’s excessive free radical damage to your body and antioxidants can help to scavenge and neutralize the damaging free radicals. Fruits, vegetables and green tea are all excellent sources of antioxidants, and when consumed regularly they can help to repair some of the cellular damage you have caused to your body by smoking. Exercising regularly is also beneficial, and it can help to nullify the increased risk for heart disease and COPD that you incurred from smoking.

Live Longer – Lung Healing

The benefits of exercise don’t stop there however; exercising also helps to enhance the lung healing process. Finally, be sure to increase your intake of water, at least in the initial stages of smoking cessation, because water will help to flush out the toxins from your body and it will aid in the healing process.

The post Quit Smoking – How Much Longer Will You Live? appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Cold and Flu – The Research

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London conducted a study on male and female rats in order to reveal whether or not male and female immune systems operate differently. The researchers infected the rats with a variety of influenza viruses and then examined the white blood cells in the lungs and stomachs of the rats. White blood cells are vital for proper immune system function and they are responsible for both protecting the body from, and killing off, viruses, bacteria and other harmful microorganisms.

The scientists were shocked to find that males have about half as many white blood cells as females, which means that the male immune system is generally less effective at fighting off infections such as the cold and flu. Although this study was conducted on rats, the researchers believe the findings will also apply to humans because they were studying an ancient part of the mammal’s immune system response.

Cold and Flu – The Immune System Response

Not only do males have half as many white blood cells as females, the male white blood cells are also less responsive to invaders such as bacteria, and they work less effectively. In addition, the white blood cells found in the males, were found to release more of the chemicals that stimulate the immune system response, which is problematic because according to lead researcher Dr. Ramona Scotland “It’s the release of these mediators that makes you feel lousy when you’re fighting off an infection.”  Due to the fact that males are releasing more of the chemicals that cause you to feel lousy when you are sick, it makes perfect sense that they would feel worse and experience the flu in a whole different way than women.

The Science Behind the Man Flu

The science behind the ‘Man Flu’ does not stop there. Researchers at the University of Queensland recruited volunteers to test the immune system response to rhino-viruses—which are the viruses that are responsible for the cold and flu. They found that females had a much greater immune system response to the viruses, and consequently, were much better at resisting the viruses. According to one of the researchers of the study, Professor John Upham: “It makes sense from a biological point of view because women are more likely to ensure the survival of the species.”

RELATED READING:
Introducing The ‘Next Generation CoQ10′ That’s Up To 827% More Powerful

Regardless of your gender, there are things that you can do to help boost your immune system and resist falling victim to the cold and flu this winter. Get plenty of rest, exercise regularly, reduce or eliminate sugar from your diet, and consume a diet that consists primarily of whole, unprocessed foods. Add in regular laughter, and you have the recipe for a turbo charged immune system.

The post The Truth Behind the “Man Cold” appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Questions to Ask About Your Sickness

There are a number of questions you should ask yourself when trying to make the decision whether you should go into work or not when you’re sick:

1. Are you contagious?  if you answer “yes” to this, it’s simple, stay home.  If you have a cold or the flu and go into work, you’re exposing your entire workplace to your sickness.  Staying at home for a couple of days and resting up will help to decrease sickness in your workplace and in your community.
2. Will you be able to carry out your job tasks? If you’re feeling lousy, chances are you won’t be able to focus on your job tasks so your productivity will decrease. Your time is better spent in your bed, recovering from your sickness.
3. Will resting help you fight sickness? While you may want to continue working, this may impair your immune system even more.  When you’re sick, your immune system is already weakened and if you’re constantly running around the office you’re stressing your immune system even more.  You may end up even sicker than if you just gave your immune system a chance to fight the illness in the beginning.
4. Are you taking medications that may impair your mental and/or physical abilities? If you’re taking a cold medication that may make you drowsy or dizzy, you may be putting yourself (as well as your co-workers) in harms’ way.  So, it’s best to stay home if you’re taking medication that may alter your mental and/or physical functioning.

Sickness and Staying Home From Work

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states “if possible, stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick”.  Cold and flu viruses are highly contagious and spread quickly throughout the workplace because people touch shared surfaces in the office such as phones, computers, and desks.  It is important to take time off of work if you’re suffering with the cold or flu in order to prevent the spread of disease.  It’s not just your co-workers that are affected by your illness, your co-workers who are exposed to the cold and flu viruses at work take these viruses home to their families.  This may include infants, children, the elderly and those who have a compromised immune system.  These individuals are at a higher risk of serious complications from the cold and flu viruses.   It is important to help control the spread of contagious viruses such as the cold and flu.

Sickness From Cold and Flu

The common cold, which has symptoms including, a scratchy throat, runny nose and sneezing as well as a possible fever is the most contagious for two days following the onset of symptoms. Staying home and resting when you have common cold symptoms will allow your immune system to fight the infection, leading to a quicker recovery (and a quicker return to normal work activities).

The flu usually impacts a person harder that the common cold, with symptoms of fever, chills, aching muscles, headache, runny nose, sore throat, cough, weakness and fatigue.  You will need a few days off to recuperate from the flu and it is generally safe to return to work 24-48 hours after your temperature has returned to a normal level.

RELATED READING: Introducing The ‘Next Generation CoQ10′ That’s Up To 827% More Powerful

In the long run, taking a day or two off due to sickness isn’t the end of the world.  Your employer should understand that you need to rest to allow your immune system time to fight off the infection.  You may need to remind your employer that you’re trying to prevent passing along your sickness to your co-workers by staying home for a couple of days.  Staying home and resting up will help to minimize the spread of disease, which in turn, leads to a healthier community.

The post Don’t Ignore These Top Sickness No-No’s appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

An older, more traditional approach to revving up the immune system to fight off the cold and flu is sock therapy. But sock therapy, often recommended by naturopathic doctors for influenza, does not simply mean putting on a pair of dry socks and expecting your influenza virus to magically disappear.

Hang Cold and Flu Symptoms Out to Dry with Sock Therapy

According to the Heartland Naturopathic Clinic, sock therapy involves the following steps:

Step 1: Sock Soak. Before you go to bed, soak the foot part of a pair of cotton socks in ice cold water. Then wring out the excess water and place the socks next to your bathtub or water basin.

Step 2: Sole Soak. Fill a basin with hot water and place your feet in the hot water for a few minutes, until your feet warm up. Alternatively, you can have a full body hot bath.

Step 3: Sock Shock Therapy. Dry your feet with a towel. Then put on the cold, wet socks on both of your feet and pull on a pair of dry, thick, wool socks over the wet cotton ones.

Step 4: Sleep it Off. Go to bed immediately and keep your feet covered in both pairs of socks as well as warm bedding.

Step 5 (optional): Rinse and Repeat. Repeat the process in the middle of the night, but eliminate step 2. Just apply cold cotton socks and dry wool socks over your feet and get back in bed.

In most cases, unless the cold and flu symptoms or the influenza persists, Step 5 will not be necessary.  Your feet will start to warm up after just a couple of minutes of getting under the covers, and after about 4 hours your socks will be completely dry and your cold and flu symptoms will hopefully

To give that influenza a real fight, begin sock therapy as soon as you notice cold and flu symptoms, and repeat the therapy for a total of three nights.

Can Socks Really Fend Off Influenza?

According to Dr. Jamey Wallace, ND, sock therapy can help fight cold and flu infections as it helps to activate the body’s immune system. Here’s how it works – The cold of the socks triggers the body to increase blood circulation.  The increased blood circulation then helps to rev up the immune system and lymphatic system, and puts them head to head. It’s like giving the immune system a wake up call to defend itself against the cold and flu virus.

Sock therapy is considered particularly effective when it comes to fighting upper respiratory congestion, such as a stuffy nose or plugged up ears. In addition, this therapy has been found to have a sedating effect, encouraging a good night’s sleep, which further enhances your body’s ability to heal itself. In addition to cold and flu, sock therapy is also used to treat other non influenza conditions like bronchitis and sinus infections.

For years now, sock therapy has been used effectively to treat influenza. So when you start to feel the spray of coughing and sneezing in the air, set out those socks and let them fend off the flu.

The post Sock Shock Therapy – Can Socks Help You Fight the Flu? appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Many health experts highly recommend getting vaccinated, and getting the flu shot early, but now there is an idea that the flu shot can still be very helpful even later. Some say even as late as January. So with a little bit of time left, there are certain groups of people who might be considered high risk who might not be too late to get the influenza shot.

When Is Cold and Flu Most Likely?

Many healthcare practitioners say that the official onset to the flu season begins in the autumn months, normally around October, and can last through until when the grass starts to get green in May (or the Springtime months). The flu can strike at any time of year, but predictions and trends tend to see the highest levels between late December and March. Most health clinics will really start to push the flu shot, and the influenza information before the onset, with highest saturation of information and shots available between September and Christmas.

Experts say that while there is not really a “bad” time to receive the influenza vaccination, or to begin protecting yourself against the cold and flu virus, your best bet might be to build up your immune system by getting vaccinated before the flu season is in full force, which will give your body the chance to build up a natural level of protection to the virus, allowing a maximum amount of time to sink  in, essentially. So that goes with the theory that the earlier the better.

Should Everyone Get the Flu Shot?

There isn’t really a short answer to this question. The flu vaccine is considered to be a good idea, or something for consideration for anyone over the age of 6 months old. The theory here is that the most people who are protected, the less people who there are to pass around the virus through normal human contact. But this could be considered a broad statement too, as there are clearly people who require the protection of the flu shot more than others. Some people in this group could include those who work with large amounts of people, especially large amounts of sick people. Other high risk groups could include elderly people, who are not only more likely to get sick, but less likely to be able to fight it off once they do get it. Pregnant women, and school aged children are also put in higher priority groups, especially if there is a shortage of the vaccine.

RELATED READING: What Won’t Help You Quit Smoking

It is recommended that people who are in the above mentioned “risk” groups get their immunization in the fall so their bodies have the correct amount of time to prepare, but to answer the main question at hand, the cold and flu isn’t a laughing matter, and it’s best that if you are considering it, the time of year isn’t as important as taking prevention methods at any time of the year, flu season or not.

The post Are You Too Late for the Flu Shot? appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Fear of Needles – Avoiding Blood Tests

Blood tests are important diagnostic tools required for optimal health and many people fall victim to otherwise preventable diseases simply because they failed to have regular blood tests performed. Blood tests are necessary not only for the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease but also for diabetes, anemia, iron overload, calcium overload, thyroid disorders, hormonal imbalances, certain types of cancer, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Avoiding the Flu Shot

Avoiding the flu shot may not seem all that risky if you are young and in perfect health, but if you are over 65, sick, pregnant or working in an environment where you are often in contact with the flu virus (such as a hospital or nursery school), then you are putting your health at risk.

Immunization – Fear of Needles

Measles, mumps, rubella, sure these aren’t nearly as common these days, but that is because the majority of the population has received immunization shots for them. Immunization is essential not only to your health, but to the health of the people around. Immunization is also essential if you want to drastically reduce your risk of hepatitis B, polio, diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough — all of which can be life threatening in a person with lowered immunity or a person who refuses proper treatment.

Avoid Immunization – Life and Death

If you are lucky enough to be in perfect health this won’t apply to you yet but if you suffer from diabetes, severe b12 deficiency, or cancer, avoiding injected medications is a matter of life and death. Also, if your have any major dental issues avoiding injected medication can be seriously detrimental because your dentist will need to inject your mouth with a numbing agent in order to perform major dental operations without causing you debilitating pain.

Anxiety Over the Fear of Needles

The extreme anxiety caused by a fear of needles can result in physiological changes in your body. Right before a needle is injected a phobia or extreme fear of needles can cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure and after the needle, a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure. These vast fluctuations results in symptoms such as light-headedness, vertigo, profuse sweating, stress, anxiety, pallor and nausea and the symptoms can last anywhere from mere seconds to hours or longer. Due to the physiological changes, fainting is also common in patients with a fear of needles.

RELATED READING: Variations of the Same Food – The Effect on Health

The fact that a needle fear or phobia can result in death may seem farfetched, but there have actually been 23 reported deaths that were directly caused by a needle phobia. What’s more, there is an innumerable amount of people who have likely died because their fear of needles caused them to avoid seeking out healthcare altogether.

The post What Your Fear of Needles is Doing To You appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Health Rule #1 – 8 Glasses of Water a Day?

This ‘rule’ has been circulating for years and magazines and doctors alike have been telling us that we need to drink 8 glasses of water if we want to be healthy. However, this advice is based on an outdated recommendation published in 1945! Yes, it is essential to stay hydrated, however your body size, your level of activity, your gender, your health status and the climate, all factor into you hydration requirements. It’s absurd to say that a 100 lb. sedentary woman is going to require the same amount of fluid as a 250 pound body builder. Also, this recommendation fails to take into account the fact that most people receive a quantifiable amount of fluid through their diets alone. Fruits and vegetables, tea, soup, beans and cooked whole grains all provide you with calculable amounts of fluid. The best way to tell if you are consuming enough fluid is to monitor the color of your urine. It should be pale, and if it is bright yellow, it is a sign that you are either taking a B-complex vitamin or your body is in severe need of hydration.

Health Rule #2 – Don’t Eat Pink or Red Meat

Red meat has been associated with all sorts of nasty things – high cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, reduced immune system function and excess body weight to name a few. Well the truth is, red meat is actually a great source of many essential nutrients such as protein, iron and the immune system boosting mineral – zinc. This is not a free for all pass here however; processed meats such as sausages and hot dogs should still be avoided at all costs. On the other hand, unprocessed, lean meats such as steak and homemade burgers are perfectly healthy when consumed in moderation. For optimum nutrient benefits choose organic, grass-fed cuts where possible.

Health Rule #3 – Avoid Cold Weather for Your Immune System

The idea that going out in the cold will increase your chances of catching the cold and flu is simply a myth. You get the cold and flu when a virus enters into your body, most often through your nasal passages. Studies have found the cold and flu is no more frequent in individuals who are chilled than it is in individuals who keep warm. This myth probably came into creation because people seem to catch the cold and flu more frequently in winter months; however the reason for this likely has more to do with the sun than it does with the temperature. Vitamin D from the sun is a huge immune system booster, and people tend to stay inside and avoid the sun in winter months, resulting in a compromised immune system. So if you really want to avoid the cold and flu, put on some layers, and get outside whenever you are blessed with a sunny winter day.

Health Rule #4 – Don’t Sleep in?

I thought I’d save the best for last — if you had a particularly late night or stressful evening, sleeping in is actually more important to your health and waistline than dragging yourself to the gym is. Sleep is essential for a properly functioning immune system and skimping on it will increase your susceptibility to the cold and flu. Also, when you don’t get enough sleep, your body produces extra hunger hormones and pumps out less of the hormones which are responsible for making you feel full and satisfied, resulting in increased food intake, powerful cravings and poorer food choices.

RELATED READING: Introducing The ‘Next Generation CoQ10′ That’s Up To 827% More Powerful

In fact, the increased amount and lowered quality of food incorporated in the diets of the sleep deprived often amounts to a far greater excess caloric intake then they could ever burn off at the gym. So next time you are feeling sleep deprived and you are tempted to hit the snooze button and skip your morning workout, do it, and don’t feel bad about it either!

The post Health Rules That Make No Sense appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Searching for a Reason to Quit Smoking?

Most smokers don’t have to search far for a reason to try to quit smoking. Their family, friends and the media bombard them with enough reasons to butt out.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that cigarette smoking is responsible for over 400,000 deaths each year in the United States. Smoking causes about 90 per cent of all lung cancer deaths in men and 30 per cent of all lung cancer deaths in women.

Aside from the obvious health reasons, many people want to quit smoking to save money, save the environment, to eliminate the foul odor, as well as the unsightly yellow fingers and teeth they have as a result of nicotine.

Attempting Smoking Cessation

Just as cigarettes are big business so is smoking cessation so people who are trying to quit have to plan carefully, which brings us to the first thing that will not help you in your quest to quit smoking…poor or little planning. Smoking cessation experts say the first step is to decide when and how you will attempt to quit. For instance, don’t plan on quitting during a busy or stressful time in your life. When people do this, they are just setting themselves up for a fall. Once you have a time period in mind you can figure out how you will go about quitting.

The support system you have is also important. Research shows that people who don’t have a good support system around them find it more difficult to quit smoking. If you plan to try to quit smoking talk to your family and close friends first to see what kind of encouragement and support they will give you.

RELATED READING:
The Breakthrough Secret That Cleanses Your Arteries  and Strengthens Your Heart

Smoking researchers have discovered that if you cheat within the first two weeks of experiencing withdrawal symptoms, it guarantees you will start smoking again within the next 6 months. Still studies show that attempts to quit smoking are never a waste of time. The amount of smoking is reduced when you make an attempt and people who keep on trying have a 50-50 chance of actually quitting for good.

It is important to keep in mind that while there are many smoking cessation methods, not all of them are fool-proof. Electronic cigarettes are designed to deliver nicotine in vapor form. This vapor is inhaled by the user. Some manufacturers promote the e-cigarettes as a way to quit smoking; however, the U.S Food and Drug Administration have not approved the device as a smoking cessation aid. The FDA calls the manufacturing process for the e-cigarettes “substandard”.

Quit Smoking – Laser Therapy Could Help

While some people have said that acupuncture and laser therapy are good ways to quit smoking, there doesn’t appear to be enough scientific evidence to support either of these methods. A study in Singapore involving over 300 participants exposed to laser treatment found no difference in quitting rates and a similar study in the United Kingdom found minimal results.

Acupuncture is said to lessen the withdrawal symptoms of smoking cessation. Many people have tried this treatment for quitting and say they have been successful, yet medical reviews indicate there isn’t enough consistent evidence to call acupuncture a sure-fire method. Medical experts do admit it has possibilities and warrants further investigation.

Try to Quit Smoking – The Study

According to the Cancer Control Institute in Australia a comprehensive study shows that even when people fail at their attempts to quit smoking, they tend to be better off. Researchers discovered that the majority of those who have tried smoking cessation methods end up smoking less following failed attempts. Change in consumption can make a difference in your health and the health of those around you.

The post What Won’t Help You Quit Smoking appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Nicotine Replacement Products to Quit Smoking

These aren’t new, and they aren’t healthy but they are far healthier than cigarettes (leaving your lung function in tact) and they can reduce withdrawal symptoms when you are first giving up smoking. They come in multiple forms such as patches, inhalers, lozenges and gum, so you can choose which is most appealing to you.

Prescription Drugs for Lung Function

Prescription drugs tend to be overused in our society and they are not without risk and side-effect. However, if you are determined to give up smoking and you haven’t been able to do it on your own; they may be beneficial as a short term solution. Bupropion is a prescription antidepressant that may help to quash cravings for cigarettes and reduce withdrawal symptoms. Varenicline tartate is another drug that may help you to quit smoking by reducing your cravings for cigarettes.

Exercise to Quit Smoking

Some of you may be doing a mental eye roll right now and thinking how on earth is the ‘chore’ of exercise going to replace the perceived ‘pleasure’ of smoking. Well exercising can actually be helpful in multiple ways and researchers have found that regular exercisers have a much higher smoking cessation success rate. Exercising temporarily takes your mind of smoking, so if you find that there is a certain time of day when your willpower is at its weakest, schedule your workout for then.

RELATED READING: The Effects of Smoking on Your Skin

Exercise also helps to reduce stress which can help reduce stress related cigarette cravings . In addition, exercise often results in a better night’s sleep, so that you will be less likely to wake up during the night craving a smoke. Finally, exercise helps increase self-esteem and it releases feel good hormones, both of which will help you to quit

Dark Chocolate – One of the Smoking Alternatives

This one may also sound farfetched at first read, but at the same time rather appealing. Dark chocolate is an excellent smoking alternative because similar to cigarettes, dark chocolate helps to increase dopamine levels in your brain, with the added benefit of doing so without compromising your lung function! In addition, dopamine is responsible for feelings of pleasure and it helps to keep your motivated, it also helps to reduce cravings, all of which will make it easier for you to quit smoking.

Yoga/Meditation/Relaxation Exercises to Quit Smoking

Yoga, meditation, deep breathing, a hot bath, cooking, a long walk…anything that you find soothing and that helps to center you and relax you, will help you on your journey to quit smoking. Since smoking is often used as a way to relieve stress and quitting smoking itself is stressful, partaking in some sort of relaxation routine daily is essential to quitting.

Additional Smoking Alternatives

Some additional smoking alternatives that you may find helpful include: joining a support group (online or in person), teaming up with a friend as motivation, telling everyone about your plans to quit so that they will hold you to it, chewing on sugarless gum, sunflower seeds or anything crunchy (and healthy), journaling and avoiding tempting situations.

The post Trying to Quit Smoking? What Actually Works… appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Skin Irritation and Toilet Paper

Pruritus (itching of the skin) is a common problem that many people experience at some point in their life.  Skin irritation, including a rash, may accompany the itching that you experience. While skin irritation including itching and burning can be annoying, it can also be debilitating and decrease your quality of life if it’s severe.

Skin Irritation of the Anus

Some people may have skin irritation and itching around the anus.  This is referred to as pruritus ani and can result in an embarrassing situation.  There are many causes of pruritus ani including hemorrhoids, anal fissures, as well as skin irritation due to fecal matter contamination, infections, contact dermatitis, reactions to foods, clothing and medications, colorectal and/or anal cancers, dermatological conditions as well as other conditions.  Determining the cause of anal itching is imperative so that treatment will be successful and you can get back to your normal routine without this embarrassing issue affecting your life.

Skin Irritation of the Vulva

Many adult women will suffer from at least one episode of vulvovaginitis discomfort.  Vulvovaginitis can occur because of bacterial, viral or yeast infections as well as contact irritation or an allergic reaction. Symptoms of vulvovaginitis may include abnormal vaginal discharge, itching, burning, stinging, increased urination and the vulva is often swollen and red.  Just like irritation of the anus, it’s important to determine the cause of vulvovaginitis so that treatment will be successful.

Skin Irritation Caused by Toilet Paper & Treatment

It may be surprising, but skin irritation of the anus and vulva can be the result of contact dermatitis due to an allergic reaction to toilet paper dyes and fragrances and additives. Many toilet papers contain formaldehyde as well as reactive ingredients that help to give toilet paper characteristics that people value such as increased thickness and absorbency.  Toilet paper that is thick, absorptive, strong, bleached and expensive is likely to contain formaldehyde. Certain toilet papers may also contain aloe or lotion, alcohol, phosphate, chlorine, peroxides, perfumes, dyes and anti-bacterial properties.  All of these additives can cause an allergic reaction resulting in skin irritation, including itching of your anus and/or vulva.

RELATED READING:
Why Suffer in Silence When You  Can Conquer Your Leaky Bladder

Once you’re determined that your skin irritation is being caused by an allergic reaction to your toilet paper, treatment with topical steroids will help to reduce the irritation.  You should also discontinue using the brand of toilet paper that is causing your skin irritation.  You may need to try different brands of toilet paper to determine which ones are irritating to your skin. Unscented, thinner, cheaper and more greyish looking toilet papers are less likely to contain additives so look for these if you find that you have skin irritation after using toilet paper.  If you start using less processed toilet papers, the embarrassing skin irritation should ease.

The post The Truth About Skin Irritation and Toilet Paper appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Although you can’t make the cold and flu disappear instantly, you can help speed-up the healing process by resting up, avoiding sugar and consuming the following immune system boosting super drinks.

6 Drinks to Help Cold and Flu Symptoms and Immune System Health

Ginger Tea

Steep fresh ginger in hot water and drink up at your leisure. Ginger tea is not only excellent for reducing nausea and soothing your stomach, it also has antiviral properties, meaning it will help to kill of the nasty virus that is making you feel so sick. Ginger also has warming and restorative properties, and it can help to reduce influenza related muscle aches, sooth a scratchy throat, ease a cough and reduce a fever.

Lemon Water

Adding fresh squeezed lemon juice to a cup of hot water is an excellent way to speed up the healing process. Lemons are high in antioxidants and vitamin C– both of which help to boost your immune system and increase the production of infection fighting white blood cells. Lemon juice is also well known for its ability to warm, activate and cleanse you entire body, and to reduce phlegm. In addition, the vitamin C in lemons helps to make your body more alkaline, which is important because the influenza virus tends to thrive in an acidic environment.

Green Tea

Green tea has been valued as a health elixir for centuries in Asia. Similar to lemon juice, green tea is very high in antioxidants, which are beneficial because they help to fight off harmful free radicals that contribute to sickness. Green tea also contains a substance called EGCG, which has been found to block viruses from multiplying and also to fight off harmful bacteria (9). For an extra sickness fighting boost, gargle with green tea because studies have found that doing so can help to directly kill any virus that is lingering in your throat.

Immune System Health – Other Drinks That Help

Honey Drinks

Not only is honey delicious, it also contains natural antiviral and antibiotic properties and it helps to strengthen your immune system. In addition, honey helps top reduce a cough because it coats and sooths an irritated throat (11). Honey is great when added to any of the above drinks and you can also consume it with plain hot water, herbal or black tea, or even in your coffee.

Fresh Vegetable Juice

Fresh vegetable juice is high in phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals—all of which will help to ward off sickness. Some of the best vegetables for juicing that will help to turbo charge your immune system include: carrots, celery, cucumber, dark leafy greens, wheatgrass, parsley, and garlic. For the best results, drink between 1 and 3 glasses per day while you are sick and 1 glass a day to boost your immune system, when you feel you might be on the verge of getting sick.

RELATED READING: Men are More Likely to Die From Cancer

Bonus Idea

For the ultimate cold and flu fighting concoction combine ginger, lemon, green tea and honey and alternate between drinking that mix and drinking fresh vegetable juice!

The post 6 Drinks to Help Cold and Flu Symptoms appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

While over indulgence in beer can cause people a whole slew of health issues including problems with weight gain and liver damage, beer in moderation has also been touted with some hefty health benefits as well.

There is now a new study, this one out of Europe,  that is saying there is a chemical compound in beer that can actually help the human body fight off the cold virus. The study was conducted by a well known beer company, for one, but the merit behind it is worthy of at least a little discussion, or further research.

Good Health and Beer – Nothing New. But for a Virus?

The chemical compound is called “humulone” which many experts have agreed, can actually have anti-virus effects. However, there is a downside, as arguments involving beer and alcohol usually do, and that is that you would need to drink an awful lot of the stuff at once to get the benefits to your good health that are associated with the chemical. 30 beers to be exact. And the downfalls to that kind of consumption don’t need medical research to point out.

RELATED READING:  The Damage of Moderation – How Bad is Beer?

What humulone is said to do is give the beer drink its notorious bitter taste, but it is found in hops, which is one of the few key ingredients in the fizzy and popular drink.  What has researchers wondering now is, what if the humulone was taken out of the beer, and a concentrated version used to fight a cold virus?

The Cold Virus Could Be Fought, But What About Kids…They Can’t Drink Beer?

Scientists and the researchers of the study, which was conducted by Sapporo Medical University have said that the idea has merit, and that the chemical compound in beer is actually effective in curbing a specific virus: the “respiratory syncytial virus”.

Researchers say that the idea that this chemical compound in beer could provide some insight into the discomforts of the cold virus has gained enough momentum that experts say the humulone could actually be considered to be used on its own. For example in certain drinks that do not contain alcohol or in food that will mask the bitter taste of the chemical.

Common Cold Virus – Time Used to Be the Only “Cure”

There was a time, were no matter what research became available, families were told that prevention was one of the only ways to properly deal with the common wintertime illness. However, now, this promising research has shown that maybe the answer was under your nose all along. While large quantities of beer might not be suitable for anyone never mind fighting off the symptoms of the cold virus in children, good health and proper care of the discomforts associated with it could lead to future plans for a better way to extract the compound found in beer to make the best possible use  of it.

The post Beer Chemical Compound for Good Health appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

The Possibilities of the Forecasting Study

The possibilities for such an idea are pretty much endless. Cold and flu virus can ruin a variety of big events. Any big wedding, work week or holiday traveler would love access to this kind of information about illness potential. And new research findings are showing that the probability of this happening, might not be very far off the mark!

A recent study which was published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Homeland Security, and the results  regarding illness potential (cold and flu virus) were very enlightening to say the least.

Cold and Flu Virus and Predicting Illness

During the wintertime months most people have a pretty good idea they might come down with a cold or flu virus. Either that, or an equally as inconvenient counterpart or secondary illness.  But the problem becomes from one area to another there is a big variable when it comes to when the flu season is most likely to hit. Northern areas and Southern areas could see the flu virus or another illness pass through their area at any time, and the pattern isn’t exactly one you could set your watch to – or is it?

Flu Illness and Tracking the Virus

Now science is showing that it is possible, using the same methods that are used to track weather to track the flu virus, and what areas it could be hitting next with success.

The prediction methods would have huge implications, and mean that planning your day could have a whole new meaning.  Scientists use online estimations of flu virus and other illnesses based on research from previous times of year. Then the information is pooled to predict what could possibly be the peak time for the virus to strike any given area based on the data.

The Findings on the Cold and Flu Prediction Research

Likely one of the most key pieces of information despite the idea that it is possible to happen at all, is that the “sick forecast” techniques could actually have a pretty small window, predicting illnesses and outbreaks of virus more than 7 weeks in advance of the probable peak.

RELATED READING: You Might Be Living Longer – But Feeling Older

So now if you hear you have a percentage chance of getting sick, as opposed to having it rain or snow, you might not have to check your hearing. While there, as usual, are no guarantees the new sick forecasting science is in the works to become a successful method to predict the cold and flu virus coming, but also for other contagious illnesses as well.

The post New: Weather Forecasts for a Virus? appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

The Immune System Research

According to a recent medical report published in the journal Environmental Health, the flu can occur all year round, but its health risks and damage may be more pronounced during the winter.  The study involved reviewing the medical records from hospitals of 48 cities around the United States.  These medical records provided information on the number of cases of cardiac deaths and influenza from 1999 to 2000.  The researchers performed statistical analysis to determine whether there is indeed a connection between the health risks and damage due to influenza during the winter months.

The Health Risks of Winter

The results of the study showed that there are indeed a higher number of flu cases during the winter months, approximately 34% higher than the rest of the year.  More importantly, this increase was also strongly associated with the higher number of cases of cardiac death.  It may thus be possible that the immune system of the body may not fully capable of combating the effects of the influenza virus during the cold winter months.  Although the study did not look into the actual capacity of the immune system of people afflicted with the flu during the winter, the researchers proposed that the damage caused by this infection might have been more severe compared to its effects during the summer, spring, or fall seasons.  The researchers have also indicated in the report that the length of day, as well as the amount of sunshine received by most of us during the winter is significantly lower, and this may also have affected the capacity of the body’s immune system to combat infections during winter.

RELATED READING:
Introducing The ‘Next Generation CoQ10′ That’s Up To 827% More Powerful

In addition, the human body is also working on maintaining its internal temperature during the winter and thus, its capacity to combat the presence of a flu virus is generally decreased, resulting in various health risks and damage to the body.

Despite the alarming association of the winter season with health damage involving the immune system, the researchers of the study also pointed out that there are still other factors that need to be considered for the increased incidence rates for flu.  For example, it is also possible that pollution plays a role in the incidence of flu across the country.  Certain cities may thus report a lower flu rate because the members of its community are getting fresher air than those living in crowded cities.  The damage inflicted by air pollution may also affect the general health of an individual, possibly increasing the risk for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Lowering the Risk of Damage

The information provided by the recent medical report may be helpful to both physicians and the general public.  The findings of the study showed strong evidence that the flu season may inflict damage to general health and thus, it is important for all of us to adapt healthy schemes to lower the risk of being infected.  The fall in temperature during the winter months can sometimes be devastating, yet it is still possible to minimize the chances of getting the flu.  For example, flu clinics are created during the winter months and these may be helpful in boosting the immune system to produce antibodies against the flu virus.  Receiving the flu shot may thus decrease possible health damage related with having the flu.

The post The Damage and Health Risks of Winter appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

The Smoking Habit

If you tend to reach for a cigarette the moment you wake up each morning then you have a habit. It is no secret that smoking is a leading cause of death in the United States. Close to 50 million Americans smoke cigarettes and according to the Surgeon General’s office smoking is responsible for one in 5 deaths in the U.S. Smoking is what you would call an acquired behavior or habit and is also the most preventable cause of death.

Anti-smoking experts say in order to quit you have to plan. The first step would be to choose a time that is stress free. For example, don’t choose the holidays or a period of time when you know your work schedule is going to be overwhelming; otherwise you may be setting yourself up for failure. Prepare your family and friends by asking them for support. At the same time you should be doing research on anti –smoking support groups, hotlines, and other resources in your community that can assist you in your mission. Lastly, consider phasing out smoking rather than quitting. Phasing out could involve a nicotine patch or gum.

The Drinking Habit

Do you have a drinking habit? A drinking habit is best described as a regular habit; something that takes place at the same time or that takes place every day. An example of this would be an after work drink.
Drinking can put your good health at risk because it has a cumulative effect. Studies show that women who consume two or more drinks a day are at a higher risk of liver damage. Men who have 3 or more drinks face the same problem. High blood pressure, various cancers, and heart disease have also been linked to drinking alcohol habitually.

One way to cut back is to limit drinking to meals. Nutritional research shows that people tend to sip alcohol when they are eating and therefore the drink lasts longer. If you really can’t stop, talk to your doctor about support groups to help you kick the habit.

The Overspending Habit

Overspending is one of the primary reasons married couples fight. The partner who isn’t spending gets stressed and often turns to bad habits like smoking and drinking to try to cope. You could say it is a triple hit against good health.

RELATED READING: Obesity Tops Hunger as Biggest Health Problem

Getting yourself out of debt can be an uphill battle, yet once you set your mind to it, you’ll be able to lift the stress off your shoulders and then tackle those other bad habits that drag you down. Financial advisors suggest prioritizing by paying more on your highest interest credit card, stop shopping as a form of entertainment, creating a monthly budget and sticking to it, and freezing your credit cards.
Breaking the overspending habit, as well as other bad habits can bring you more happiness and joy, improve your relationships, and put you in a better position health-wise.

The post More Than Smoking – Your Most Annoying Habits appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

However, it is important to understand that influenza and the common cold are two different medical conditions and this is based on the fact that different viruses are involved in each illness.  Several over-the-counter medications thus indicate in their packaging that their formulation helps those with cold and flu symptoms, since influenza is not the same as the common cold.

New Influenza Information

We often hear in the news of a new influenza epidemic happening in various parts of the world.  Sometimes this happens in Asia and sometimes we hear of it from North America.  Influenza can be deadly, especially when an infected individual has a weak immune system that could help his or her body to combat the symptoms of the infection.  It also helps that an infected person seeks medical attention as soon as possible, in order to receive supportive treatment for the symptoms of the cold and flu.

The Serious Threat – the Flu

The serious threat that influenza poses on human society is based on the ability of its virus to change genetic features, allowing these to go undetected by the immune system.  It is helpful to understand that our immune system is responsible in producing antibodies, which are proteins that identify foreign cells and microorganisms that may be circulating in our bodies.  In the case of the influenza, which has the capacity to change its features at a rapid pace, our immune system is not quick enough to identify this virus in our body to destroy it.  This does not mean that our bodies are poorly functioning, these are functioning the way they should be, but the virus has adapted ways in changing its features faster than we had ever imagined.

The Flu Virus – The Flu Shot

In response to this continuous threat of influenza epidemics, scientists and researchers around the world have taken tremendous efforts in developing a “universal” flu vaccine that would hopefully prevent the occurrence of future epidemics.  This universal flu vaccine is based on the findings on various flu virus strains that have been reported from around the world.  For example, the latest flu epidemic occurred in 2009, which involved the flu virus H1N1. Despite its recent occurrence, this same strain also resulted in a flu epidemic in 1918.  In addition, other flu virus strains were involved in earlier flu epidemics, such as the H3N2 strain during the 1967 epidemic and the H2N2 strain in 1958.

RELATED READING: Can the Flu Shot Really Curb Heart Disease Risk?

The design of the universal flu vaccine will thus take into account all the features of each strain that has ever been documented to affect human health.  Scientists have extensively studied each of these strains that have previously caused cold and flu symptoms in millions of people around the world, and thus they have gained the knowledge on the possible features that could be present in the next wave of flu infections.

The Universal Flu Vaccine

The development of a universal flu vaccine is thus aimed to prevent the spread of the virus in society by equipping the body with antibodies to combat this microorganism.  An effective universal flu vaccine will thus be associated with lower and possibly minimal cases of this infection, and hopefully result in zero deaths in society.  Aside from receiving this universal flu vaccine from our clinics in the future, the simple use of the cold and flu medication may also help relieve symptoms of discomfort among infected individuals.  The release of a universal flu vaccine may also decrease the fear among people regarding infectious diseases that often spread during the winter season.

The post Explaining the Universal Flu Vaccine appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

No one has an iron-clad immune system. In fact, very few of us can say we don’t get a cold and flu from time to time, but if you have young children, maintaining a strong immune system may be a bigger priority, particularly if weight is a concern for your kids. New research in the journal “Pediatrics” suggests there is a link between influenza and obesity.

Children with Cold and Flu

A research team from Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego tested over 100 children for antibodies to a certain form of virus that causes sore throat, fever, diarrhea, and other cold and flu like symptoms. On average kids who tested positive for the virus were 15 pounds heavier than children who had not contracted this strain of the cold and flu. When obese children were examined, the positive group was 35 pounds heavier than obese kids who had not been exposed to the virus. This suggests that there could be a link between the influenza virus and obesity.

RELATED READING: Introducing The ‘Next Generation CoQ10′ That’s Up To 827% More Powerful

In the past, animal studies have shown that this same virus increases body fat; however, the nature of the link isn’t completely understood. Researchers speculate that the virus could cause weight gain or that those who are overweight could be more susceptible to the virus known as AD36 infection.

The Obesity Problem

About 17 per cent of children between the ages of 2 and 19 are considered obese. The Center for Disease Control reports that since 1980 obesity among children has almost tripled. Obese children run the risk of having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, breathing problems; type 2 diabetes, joint problems, gallstones, as well as social and psychological problems.

Studies have shown that the old adage “feed a cold, starve a fever” is not sound advice; that our bodies in fact need the nutrients in good food to help strengthen the immune system when we are fighting influenza. The challenge for many children with the AD36 infection is not consuming too many calories that could lead to more weight gain. Lots of fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamins, minerals, and water content are highly recommended.

The Future of Fever and Fat

The findings reported in “Pediatrics” opens the door for a lot more research on the relationship between influenza and obesity. If further studies can support a strong link, biomedical experts say it just might be possible to one day develop a vaccine to prevent obesity.

The post The Real Flu Danger – Feeding a Fever appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

There is nothing like the clean, fresh smell of fabric that has dried in the open breeze in the back yard. Hanging the clothes outside to dry isn’t always possible though. Some people don’t have the yard space, others don’t have a yard at all, and then there is winter to contend with. Drying laundry inside has become routine for a lot of people.

In an effort to save energy we are encouraged to hang clothing as opposed to using a dryer. What may come as a surprise is that these efforts can be hard on our immune system.

Damage Done By Laundry

Our immune system is supposed to protect us from disease; however it isn’t always as strong as it should be and that’s when drying laundry can become a problem. It may sound odd, yet Sinusitis, bronchitis, and other common respiratory ailments could be the result of hanging clothing up inside the house to dry. The laundry can also lead to allergies and asthma.

A study conducted in Glasgow concluded that homes had too much moisture and 30 per cent of it was due to hanging laundry. The researchers determined that at least three quarters of the homes had moisture high enough to lead to mould spores. Several studies in the U.S and Europe have shown that exposure to mold spores can lead to allergies. Researchers at the University of Cincinnati conducted a study back in 2006 and discovered that infants exposed to mold spores were more likely to develop multiple allergies; including food allergies, later in life.

RELATED READING: Sneaky Things Zapping Energy and Mental Health

According to the Glasgow study, laundry can leave a half a gallon of water lingering in the air. Dust mites love the moisture. In fact, damp or wet laundry is the perfect breeding ground for dust mites. News reports about the damage dust mites can cause have sent homeowners scrambling to replace pillow cases and bed sheets in the past. People have been led to believe that dust mites can create severe allergic reactions and lead to asthma. Disease Centre physicians at the University of Virginia say the reality is that dust mites are only a problem if you are allergic to them. People who are not allergic to them in the first place shouldn’t worry. However, herein lies the issue…about one in four Americans suffers from allergies; within that group, two-thirds are allergic to dust mites.

So your immune system is already dealing with mold and mites, but there is another invader when it comes to that laundry hanging inside; acetaldehydes.  If you use a fabric softener and you hang the laundry to dry, you likely have a chemical called acetaldehyde in the indoor air. The Environmental Protection Agency confirms that long term exposure to acetaldehyde has been linked to cancer.

Some Health Tips

If you are an apartment dweller or don’t have access to a yard here are some health tips to avoid the hazards associated with hanging laundry inside. There are outdoor cloth lines or stands that you can purchase for your apartment balcony. You can also upgrade your washer and dryer to more energy efficient machines. There are energy efficient machines with faster spin cycles that wring out more of the water. This means the clothes will require less time in the dryer. As for the dryer; look for one with a moisture sensor. It will shut the machine off automatically when the clothes are dry. One final tip…different fabrics have different drying times so plan accordingly. You can dry towels in one load and lighter items in another to save energy and money.

The post Is Laundry Killing Your Immune System? appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Smoking Cessation Can Be Hard

Unfortunately, smoking cessation can be hard, and the knowledge that it is bad for you and that it increases your risk for lung cancer amongst other health issues, is often not enough to quit smoking all together. Luckily, new and innovative ways are constantly being developed to help you quit smoking, and one in particular seems to be working!

The Research to Help Quit

Recently, a group of researchers from Cochrane, New Zealand, reviewed data from 5 separate studies, which included 9,000 smokers.  The studies all involved individuals who were trying to quit smoking, and they examined whether or not text messages could help them with their smoking cessation endeavors. The text messages contained quitting advice and/or motivational content and they were sent to the smokers between one and several times daily. There was also a control group of smokers who were sent few or no text messages over the six month study period. One of the studies also included links to short motivational videos which followed a role model’s journey through smoking cessation, with the goal of promoting the role model’s healthy strategies.

Smoking Cessation and How to Quit Smoking

The analysis of these studies found that regular text messages can almost double the likelihood of successful smoking cessation over a 6 month period. More specifically, 4 to 5 percent of the control group who did not receive motivational texts, quit smoking, while 6 to 10 percent of the people who did receive the texts and video links quit smoking. According to lead researcher, Robyn Whittaker of the National Institute for Health Innovation at the University of Auckland in Auckland, New Zealand, “Mobile phone programmes appear to be a useful option to offer those who want to stop smoking…The largest trial that we included in our review, which involved 5,800 people in the UK, can be considered definitive. At the very least it shows the efficacy of a mobile phone intervention in a developed country with good tobacco control policy. However, we cannot say that all text messaging interventions will be effective in all contexts.”

RELATED READING: Smoking and the Velvet Bean

Text and video messages may be a cost effective and simple way to help you quit smoking. However, they are not yet widely available and if you really want to increase your odds of success, and reduce your risk for lung cancer amongst other health disorders, then you should take a more comprehensive approach. People who speak with a counsellor have a much higher smoking cessation success rate than those who go it alone.

Quit Smoking – The Quitting Plan That Works

Creating a comprehensive quitting plan, setting a quit date and telling everyone about it will also make it more likely for you to follow through. Thinking of all the reasons to quit and writing them down as a reminder can also be helpful. When you quit, you should try to focus on what you will gain (think better health, more energy, more money, fresher breath, clearer skin etc.) as opposed to what you feel you are giving up. Finally, consider starting an exercise regime (if you don’t exercise regularly already) because it helps to reduce stress and it can vastly increase your chances of successfully quitting.

The post The Connection: Cell Phones and Smoking appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Several medical reports have shown that cigarette smoking may result in major health damage, including the development of lung cancer and other respiratory and systemic diseases.  Health organizations have also campaigned for quit smoking programs, even providing nicotine supplements to those who are seriously considering cutting this habit.

Quit Smoking Altogether – The Severe Damage

Most public establishments have also banned smoking, identifying specific areas outside the building as designated smoking areas.  Cigarette boxes now also show graphic images of the potential damage of smoking, with the hope that these photos may convince a smoker to quit smoking.  Several actions to decrease cigarette smoking are now in place, including the ban to indoor smoking and putting graphic photos on cigarette boxes.  However, it is interesting to find out whether these activities are enough to decrease the potential health damage due to smoking.

Second Hand Smoke Exposure Still There With Smoking Ban

According to a recent medical report, the outdoor smoking ban may not be as effective in preventing possible health damage in exposed individuals.  Second hand smoke pertains to the cigarette smoke emitted by a cigarette, as well as the smoke that is exhaled by a smoking individual.  Studies have shown that second hand smoke may actually cause more damage to heath compared to the possible effects of direct smoking.

The recent medical report presented the results of a study conducted in restaurants and bars that implemented specific smoking areas outside the facility.  The researchers measured the amount of nicotine and other particles associated with cigarette smoke in various areas of the establishment.  Although smoking was banned inside the restaurants and bars, the study also measured the levels of cigarette particles within the building.  Particle measurements were conducted in approximately 32 European restaurants and bars from 2009 to 2011.

The Study Results on the No Smoking Ban

The results of the study were quite astonishing, with higher levels of outdoor nicotine detected in venues that banned indoor smoking, compared to outdoor levels in places that had designated indoor smoking areas.  Furthermore, the amount of second hand smoke in venues that banned outdoor smoking was actually higher than places without outdoor smoking bans.

The authors of the medical report explained that the higher levels of second hand smoke in places that ban outdoor smoking further concentrated the amount of smoke in a specific area.  It is thus possible that cigarette smoke diffused to the rest of the site, including the indoor areas.  The authors also showed that the use of semi-enclosed areas for smoking pose a greater potential for health damage because it concentrates cigarette smoke which would still eventually diffuse to the rest of the area.

RELATED READING: Staying Smoke Free and Going to Work

The medical report is very interesting because it presents direct evidence that the spread of cigarette smoke in the immediate atmosphere is hard to control.  The report has also shown that despite indoor and outdoor smoking bans, cigarette smoke has the capacity to diffuse to adjacent areas, exposing people to the chemicals present in the smoke.

Although health and government agencies have focused on preventing the possible health damage that may be caused by cigarette smoking, this recent medical report shows that banning smoking may not be the most effective method to quit smoking and prevent health damage.  The report has shown that banning outdoor and indoor smoking only displaces the cigarette smoke and thus may still expose the public to the cigarette smoke particles.  In order to decrease the risk for health problems due to cigarette smoking, it may therefore be best to simply quit smoking.

The findings presented in the medical report may be helpful to owners of public places, allowing them to understand that the use of designated smoking areas indoors and outdoors are actually not as effective as envisioned.  There may also be a need to find a better way of controlling the exposure of the public to second hand smoke

The post Does an Outdoor Smoking Ban Mean Less Damage? appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

We all get ill from time to time, but researchers at the University of Nottingham in the UK say if you are a smoker chances are you are missing work more than your non-smoking colleagues. The researchers took 29 studies that focused on the smoking and work habits of people living in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the United States.  They carefully analyzed the data which included information on 71,000 people from the private and public sector. What they discovered was that smokers missed work an average 2.7 extra days per year than people who were smoke free. They concluded that smokers were 33 per cent more likely to miss work than non-smokers. The study demonstrated that smoking was associated with workers’ short-term absences and leaves of four weeks or more.

Why Smokers Get Sick

According to the Centers for Disease Control there are more health problems caused by tobacco than by deaths from illegal drugs, alcohol use, and motor vehicle accidents combined. Cigarettes contain thousands of chemicals; some of which have been labeled as cancer causing. It is no secret that smoking has been linked to lung cancer.

Lung cancer is only part of the problem; smoking causes fatty substances to accumulate in the arteries which can contribute to heart disease. As well, studies show that smokers tend to suffer more from the common cold than those who do not smoke and those who live in smoke free environments. When smokers do get a cold it can take a lot longer to get rid of a cough than if they were a non-smoker. Often times smokers end up suffering from bronchitis too. Several medical journals point out that smoking leads to an increased risk of respiratory infections.

Our lungs are lined with little hairs called “cilia”. These hairs move back and forth to sweep unwanted dust and other particles out of our lungs, yet if we smoke the “cilia” can’t move so the particles build up, weakening our lungs and making them more susceptible to illness, not to mention the forming of tar.

Smoking Cessation

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 92 billion dollars is lost each year in the United States due to lost productivity as a result of smoking related deaths.  The CDC promotes workplace smoking cessation programs to encourage tobacco users to quit and to reduce employees’ exposure to second-hand smoke. The CDC also believes that smoking cessation programs will spill over into people’s personal lives and may influence smoking behavior in worker’s family members.

RELATED READING:
Why Suffer in Silence When You Can Conquer Your Leaky Bladder

The researchers involved in the UK analysis say last year absenteeism due to smoking related illness cost the country 1.4 billion pounds or 2.25 billion dollars. They believe the study supports the idea of companies paying for smoking cessation programs for employees.

Smoking free in America

As of March 2012 there were 27 states with smoking bans in general workplaces, including restaurants and bars. There are other states that have smoking bans in specific areas outside the workplace; however there are at least 10 states that have no smoking bans at all.

Health care professionals are quick to point out that it is not just productivity that smoking has an impact on, it creates a burden on healthcare budgets, the healthcare system as a whole, and it takes too many lives; in many cases all too soon.

The post Staying Smoke-Free and Going to Work appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Cold and Flu Season is Here – Can You Avoid it?

While it may well be true that cold weather appears to breed the type of bacteria that ends up making all of us miserable, cold and flu can occur at any time of year, and it spreads quickly and easily. Flu season tends to creep up at the beginning of the cold weather months and peak around February. It can certainly do a lot of damage within that period of time, too. Millions of people will need time off during cold and flu season, as spreading the virus is easy, through contact on hands, dishes and computers, not to mention kitchens and bathrooms that aren’t properly kept. Cold and flu will affect about 20% of the population at some point, namely in the spring, even though it still hits hard in the winter, it certainly isn’t isolated to that time.

What the Story is on Cold and Flu

Cold and flu virus and bacteria spreads through the air (airborne illness) and through infected human touch. You may feel that with so much of it ‘going around’ there is simply no way you can avoid it. While certain high risk patients might be advised to consider the flu shot, anti-bacterial methods such as soap and disinfectant can provide some assistance too.

Experts Chime in on the Cold and Flu Virus

Most experts will say the number one method of cold and flu avoidance is to not touch your face, and this method of keeping the germs away could be much more effective than trying to stave them off through over-washing. One fun fact that medical practitioners share is saying that the use of anti-bacterial soaps can really dry out the skin, leaving it more susceptible to infection and virus sneaking past the gate.

RELATED READING: The Destructive Culprit Inside Your Body That’s Making You Age Faster

Doctors also mention that flu symptoms are a lot more severe than cold symptoms, and a good way to tell which one you are dealing with is the duration of time it takes for the full blown virus to appear on your front door. The flu virus has a much faster turnaround time than a cold virus, which can help you if you are thinking of heading to the after-hours clinic. After all having a good idea of what you are dealing with could prevent unnecessary visits and time spent sitting waiting alongside the germs of dozens of other people.

Cold and Flu Season – The Expert Prediction

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) there are some predictions for this winter’s cold and flu season that you should take into account, especially if you are considering a flu shot. They say that there are three types of flu that will be more likely to grace North American’s this season: H3N2, influenza B and H1N1.

The post It’s Here – Cold and Flu Season appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

There is now some hope, based on science for those who are likely to suffer from the disruption in lung function association with not quitting smoking. But smoking cessation efforts can be difficult to stop, because gums and other methods can be off-putting for any number of reasons. But science is now showing some results with the simple act of gargling with lemonade.

Smoking Cessation Through Lemonade – How it Works

The brand new study has experts looking at quitting smoking in a whole new light. Apparently, the interaction of sugar (glucose) with the tongue boosts attention, energy, and self-control. This is said to be a great method for curbing the urge in the short term. The key being that it’s not like you can do it once and expect to never smoke again, but also that the solution must have sugar in order to work.

Experts say they took a group of smoking students and gave them a self-control questionnaire. The students were asked to complete a series of tasks which tested their quitting smoking potential, and involved self-control tests, as well as energy tests before and after taking a swish from a glass of lemonade.

Lung Function in Smokers is a Serious Concern – Short Term Help is Still Help

The results were very interesting, because not only was sugar laden lemonade used, but so was artificial sweetener and the results differed significantly. Results showed students who rinsed with sugar were faster and more energized when the responded to the various tests presented. Whereas the test group that used the artificial sweetener didn’t achieve the same levels. Experts say the science behind this is that sugar gives you the energy required to have self-control and this can be an invaluable asset in quitting smoking, and smoking cessation efforts – after all the long term effects on lung function can be devastating, so any study could mean big things for the future of the smoking battle and increase of lung function.

RELATED READING:  The Breakthrough Secret That Cleanses Your Arteries and Strengthens Your Heart

The researchers say that the simple survey came up with very simple results. What happens is that the glucose stimulates the simple carbohydrate sensors on the tongue, and this stimulates the area of the brain that motivates self control. What this does is essentially tell your brain to pay attention to the craving, which makes you a lot more aware of your unsuccessful efforts at quitting smoking.

Long Term Lung Function Still Needs More Study

Those who conducted the study say that the research is not clear when it comes to the long term effects, but do see the immense possibility of using this as a method of short term craving control which can be of a huge long term benefit to lung function. The glucose provides an automatic response, which allows smokers the freedom to say no, at least for a while. This can be a huge asset when it comes to setting the short term goals necessary in smoking cessation efforts, in hopes of improving lung function as a whole.

The post Gargle with Lemonade to Quit Smoking appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Heart Disease, Cold and Flu Tie

Every year; normally in the fall and winter, up to 20 per cent of people get the cold and flu bug. You have likely heard that influenza is not a serious concern unless you are elderly, pregnant or have a weak immune system. Still, health officials across North American encourage people to get the flu shot. It not only protects people from the miserable symptoms associated with the common cold and flu, it saves the work force thousands of lost work hours, as well as the medical system billions of healthcare dollars. Now a group of Toronto researchers say they’ve discovered that influenza vaccinations can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death from heart disease.

Cold, Flu and Heart Findings

Cardiologists and scientists at Toronto’s Women’s College Hospital and University of Toronto reviewed medical data going as far back as the 1960’s. They discovered a 50 per cent reduction in the risk of having a “major cardiovascular event” in the year following the flu shot. This applied to people with and without a history of coronary artery disease. In another study, researchers learned that people with implantable cardiac defibrillators were less prone to require shock stimulation during cold and flu season if they received a vaccination against influenza. Shock stimulation is needed to bring the heart back into normal rhythm.

RELATED READING: More Than Anti Aging Tips – How to Look Good When You’re Sick

Doctors and scientists can’t say for sure why the influenza vaccine lowers the risk of heart disease so they suggest more studies to unravel the mystery. In the meantime, they do have a couple of theories. One is that respiratory infection can block the flow of oxygen through the blood leading to the heart. The other possibility is that the flu causes inflammation, and inflammation can cause plaque to burst, blocking blood supply to the heart.

Cold and Flu Connection

Until now there hasn’t been a lot of evidence to suggest that the flu shot can curb heart disease, among those who have never had cardiac issues, yet there has been a lot said about protecting yourself against cold and flu once you have had a cardiac episode. The America Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology recommend influenza immunization as a secondary method of prevention for those who have already suffered a heart attack or other type of cardiovascular problem. Studies show that getting the cold and flu when you have a heart condition can put you at a higher risk for complications. The flu shot can protect you against pneumonia or even another heart attack. Staff at the Mayo Clinic say it is safe for most heart disease patients to get a flu shot, but it is always best to discuss it with your cardiologist first.

The post Can the Flu Shot Really Curb Heart Disease Risk? appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

The tea craze in the Western world appears to stay for the coming decades, yet it is also interesting to know whether this beverage actually benefits our health.  Biomedical studies have been conducted to determine the direct and actual effects of green tea on the human body, often resulting in good results.  However, these studies generally involve years of monitoring of study participants and the analysis of the beneficial effects on health may also be cumbersome and time-consuming.

RELATED READING: The Pumpkin – The Ultimate Functional Food

Does Tea Do Anything for Cold and Flu Symptoms?

In a recent report published in the journal Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, the immediate effects of green tea were examined using a simple approach that may be potentially applied to flu prevention.  According to Dr. Shin and colleagues, green tea contains catechins, which are plant-based reagents that serve as an antioxidant in cells and tissues of the body.  Antioxidants destroy free radicals that can disrupt proteins and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of cells, preventing potential damage and development of a wide range of medical disorders.  In addition, catechins may also increase the production of specific proteins of the immune system, thus helping the body combat the cold and flu.

Cold and Flu Prevention – Drinking Tea

Using an experimental cell culture involving chicken embryos, these scientists introduced the cold and flu virus for subsequent treatment of green tea extracts containing catechins.  Specifically, experiments were designed using the H1N1, H3N2, and H5N2 cold and flu viruses, which are the three most common pathogens associated with influenza epidemics across the globe.  Determination of flu prevention in these chicken embryos was based on the development of plaques in the cell cultures, which are considered as the main response of the immune system of the cells against the cold and flu virus.  The absence of a plaque in the cell culture after the inoculation of the cold and flu virus indicates that the immune system of the cells was not activated in the presence of the pathogen.  On the other hand, the presence of a plaque suggests that the immune system was stimulated to fight the virus.

The Results of the Immune System Study – What it Means for Tea Drinkers

The results of the study showed that the introduction of approximately 500 micrograms per milliliter of green tea extract resulted in the absence of plaques in the cell cultures, suggesting that this green tea concentration may be effective in flu prevention.  Interestingly, the results of the study also showed that the H5N2 virus, which was the viral strain responsible for the 2009 flu pandemic in Asia, was most sensitive to the green tea extract, followed by the H1N1 and H3N2 viruses.

The post Does Drinking Tea Really Help in Cold and Flu Prevention? appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

The Science Behind Free Radicals

Free radicals are atoms with an odd number of electrons in their outer shell, which means that they contain an electron that is unpaired.  This is problematic because electrons like to be paired, and they steal electrons from surrounding molecules or structures in order to become a pair and gain stability. In so doing, they create a new structure with unpaired molecules, which causes a chain reaction with countless additional free radicals being formed. This process destructs living cells and damages the DNA contained within them.   Uncontrolled free radical damage not only accelerates aging, it also damages your cells.

Where Free Radicals Come From

Exposure to environmental toxins such as air pollution, cleaning chemicals, paint fumes  and cigarette smoke all cause the generation of free radicals in your body, and so too can overexposure to sunlight.  Toxins found in alcohol and most sources of water also cause the formation of free radicals.  According to many alternative healthcare practitioners, the typical American diet is the greatest cause of free radical formation in the body. This belief is not farfetched either; a recent scientific study found that the consumption of sugar measurably increases the formation of free radicals and other studies have confirmed that fried foods increase free radical levels in the body.    Unfortunately, because of the toxic pestiside residue found within them, even immune system boosting health foods can contribute to free radical damage.

ORAC: The Antidote to Free Radicals

In order to understand ORAC value you must first understand antioxidants. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and prevent them from causing death and destruction to your cells and DNA.  ORAC is the acronym for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, and an ORAC score is the measurement of the antioxidant capacity of different foods and supplements.  Foods, beverages and supplements with a high ORAC value are considered the best antidote to free radicals.  The higher the ORAC score, the better the food item is at neutralizing free radicals and protecting the body from the damage that free radicals cause.

RELATED READING:
Introducing The ‘Next Generation CoQ10′ That’s Up To 827% More Powerful

Although all fruits and vegetables contain a medium to high ORAC value, on a gram to gram basis, spices tend to surpass produce.  Cloves, oregano, rosemary, thyme, cinnamon, turmeric, parsley, nutmeg and basil all yield extremely high ORAC scores. When it comes to fruit Acai yields the highest ORAC score.  Although Acai is not available in most North American grocery stores, it is available in liquid and supplement form, and many alternative healthcare practitioners recommend drinking or supplementing with it as a preventative measure against free radical damage.  Finally, dark cocoa, berries, cherries, plums, apples, peaches and grapes, as well as artichokes, garlic, broccoli, cabbage and almonds, are all considered high ORAC foods.  In order to maximize the efficacy of these high ORAC foods, you should always buy organic, because the pesticide residue on non-organic items can offset their antioxidant yielding benefits.

The post Understanding Free Radicals appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Sometimes it may be hard to tell if you smell; here are some health tips you can use to figure out if you smell unpleasant.

1. Smell your clothes – once you’re home, have a shower, have a bite to eat and then take a sniff of your clothes from the day.  If they have an unpleasant odor, it may mean that you have a body odor issue.

2. Take a look at your diet – if you tend to eat a lot of garlic, onions, curry, and spices the odor your body gives off may be unpleasant to others.

RELATED READING: How Many People Actually Eat Healthy?

3. If you tend to sweat a lot, chances are you don’t smell wonderful

4. Ask a trusted friend of family member – tell your friend that you’re concerned that you may have an odor issue and ask them for their opinion.  Be sure to tell them you need to hear the truth, that you won’t be offended

If you determine that you do have an unpleasant order, the next step is determining the cause of the odor.

There are various causes of body odor ranging from poor hygiene to immune system deficiencies.  Unpleasant body odor can sometimes be a signal that you may a serious underlying medical condition. Causes include: excessive sweating, poor hygiene, liver or kidney failure, uncontrolled blood sugar levels (diabetes), oral conditions (cavities, gingivitis, etc.), diet (eating lots of garlic, onions, etc.), infections (yeast infections, sexually transmitted diseases, urinary tract infections, etc.), metabolism issues, tumors, certain drugs, toxins, alcohol, and/or smoking. Determining the cause of your odor is the first step in the prevention and treatment of unpleasant body odor.

If you have determined that you have an unpleasant odor, there are a number of health tips to follow to help reduce the odor including: adopting a more thorough hygiene regimen by showering regularly using soap, applying deodorant with an antiperspirant and changing your diet to eliminate overly smelly foods.  If these health tips don’t seem to get rid of the odor, it’s time to see your doctor.  Your doctor will make sure that you don’t have a serious medical condition. Your doctor will run blood tests, liver function tests, may take a chest x-ray, may take CT scans and may perform other tests to rule out serious medical conditions. Treatment will be directed at the cause of the odor.  For example, someone with an infection will be prescribed antibiotics while someone with diabetes will need proper management.  Working with your doctor to determine a proper treatment for your body odor will help you gain your self confidence back.

Preventative Steps You Can Take

If you notice that you have an unpleasant body odor, you can follow preventative health tips to prevent it. First, you have to determine the cause of your body odor. Taking medications to control any medical condition under doctor supervision may be necessary.  Regularly brushing your teeth and visiting your dentist for preventative care will help to prevent oral problems that may be causing an unpleasant odor.  Practicing good hygiene is an important preventative step to ensure that excess bacteria are washed away from your body.  Ensuring that you wash and dry all areas of your body (including between toes, and your belly button) is an important health tip as some areas can harbor bacteria.   If you tend to sweat excessively showering a couple of times a day may be a necessary preventative measure.  Sweat itself doesn’t smell; the unpleasant smell occurs when the sweat mixes with the bacteria on your skin. So making sure your skin is clean and dry will help to keep it smelling fresh.

It’s important not to ignore this slightly embarrassing issue.  Addressing it and taking the appropriate preventative steps will help to keep you smelling fresh and will keep you self confidence high.

The post How to Know if You Smell appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Microbes, pathogen, fungi, microscopic organisms; whatever you like to call them they are germs, and we are all used to them lurking around our toilet bowls and our kitchen garbage bin.  Research shows they can also be found in and around the products built to keep us clean.

Cleaning Machines and Your Immune System

According to microbiologists at New York University, your dishwasher can serve up a heaping helping of bacteria if you aren’t careful. The damage can happen more than one way. The gasket on the door can be full of fungus or black yeast, and/or a bacterium accumulates when dishes are left unwashed for a few days. This happens when the temperature inside the machine isn’t hot enough to kill off all the microorganisms. If plates sit and become crusty you should rinse them with a mild bleach solution first before running them through the dishwasher. Microbiologists say a mixture of bleach and water can also be used to occasionally clean out the door gasket.

RELATED READING:
Introducing The ‘Next Generation CoQ10′ That’s Up To 827% More Powerful

Washing machines are just as bad. Studies show that feces get left behind by undergarments. The feces then spread to the next load and of course to humans. The best preventative approach is to wash all underwear in one load using hot water. You can then run another load with just bleach to rinse out any lingering feces.

Personal Hygiene and Your Immune System

It is hard to imagine that your immune system may have to fight off an attack due to your toothbrush; however, a study in Microscopy and Technique says it is true. Apparently, if you leave your toothbrush out and you don’t have a low-flow toilet, flushing it can cause aerosolized droplet splatter that can cover those bristles. You can either run your toothbrush through the dishwasher, (remember to keep it germ free) or keep your brush in a closed cabinet.

While you are in the bathroom be careful not to use a towel that has been hanging there for more than 2 or 3 days.  Whether they have been used to dry hands or an entire body, once they get damp they collect bacteria. The preventative tip here is to wash them every few days with hot water and put them in a hot dryer.

Here are a few other places that can force your immune system to start fighting germs.

•              ATM machines

•              Computer keyboards

•              Sponges

•              Gas pumps

•              Money

•              Shopping cart handles

•              Light switches

•              Remote controls

It is common knowledge that kitchen counters and cutting boards are a breeding ground for bacteria, but most people assume that since the microscopic organism tend to like warm temperatures, the refrigerator is safe. Not so according to science experts at St. Louis University. They say when meat for example leaks onto some vegetables, bacteria can grow and suddenly your fridge can make you ill.

The post The Top Places Germs Hide appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

So let’s get one thing pretty obvious thing straight, whenever you are dealing with a public toilet, there is no shortage of germs. But there is a good chance you already knew that. There is little quality assurance when it comes to bathrooms, and all cleaning schedules may vary in not only frequency, but thoroughness as well. But the big myth lies in and around the #1 culprit that has people shaking in their boots is the dreaded public toilet seat.

Bacterial and Viral Infections on Your Toilet Seat

The toilet seat can be a breeding ground of bacteria and germs, that can eventually do a number on your immune system, but when it comes to disease, the public toilet (or the toilet period) is not a common avenue that disease travels down. Experts say this could be due to the fact that many organisms that cause disease can only survive for a short period of time on a toilet seat, and for a bacterial or viral infection to occur, the germs would need to come in direct contact with your genital area, or an open sore on your rear-end which is somewhat unlikely.

But for some people the term ‘somewhat unlikely’ isn’t quite the level of assurance that they need. There have been bacterial and viral infections that are transmitted through the toilet seat that you might want to familiarize yourself with, even if the chances are slim – they aren’t nil. These include:

- Streptococcus
-Staphylococcus
-E. coli
-Hepatitis A
-The common cold virus

Experts recommend that you try your best to keep your immune system healthy as a way to cut down on your chances of getting one of these bacterial of viral infections. Leaving the bathroom stall as quickly as possible to avoid airborne viruses is one avoidance method. Hand-washing and anti-bacterial soap is another one prevention method that shouldn’t be overlooked.

The post Is Your Toilet Carrying Disease? appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Environmentalists say just like you inspect a piece of fruit before you buy it, you should inspect a product before you consider bringing it to the cash register. This means checking out the label for substances that could be harmful to your health. Studies show that contact with certain chemicals can impact your immune system, respiratory system, nervous system, endocrine system and your skin.

The Damage to Your Immune System

It may come as a surprise, but some common household products could cause health damage. Did you know that dish soap, air fresheners and toilet paper could be harmful? Certain types have phthalates in them. You can be exposed to phthalates through inhalation and through the skin. A study by Harvard Medical Health concluded that exposure to phthalates can lead to reduced sperm production in men. Overexposure to the chemical has been known to create skin and lung irritations.

Dish soap, air fresheners and toilet paper are used on a regular basis so you can see how constant exposure might pose a threat; however, you wouldn’t think spot removers and carpet cleaners that you don’t use on a daily basis would be a big problem. These products, along with dry-cleaning solutions have a chemical called perchlorethylene or Perc in them. Some research indicates that Perc can cause dizziness and loss of co-ordination. The state of California plans to ban dry-cleaning machines that use Perc by the year 2023.

RELATED READING: The Worlds Weirdest Allergies

When people talk about household cleaning it is popular to joke “I don’t do windows”, but the risk associated with exposure to some window chemicals is no laughing matter. Both 2-Butoyethanol and Ammonia is chemical that can be found in window cleaners. They can cause throat irritation. 2-Butoyethanal which is also a substance found in some multi- purpose cleaners, is known to cause pulmonary problems. If inhaled on a regular basis Ammonia can lead to chronic bronchitis and asthma.

Studies have looked at the impact of chemical exposure from household products on the unborn child. Many, including a long term study by the University of Bristol discovered that exposure to the chemicals during pregnancy led to a weaker immune system and an increase in the child’s risk of getting asthma.

Chlorine is a household name. Your grandmother and great-grandmother likely used it to keep things clean. Today it can be found in scouring powders, toilet bowl cleaners, mildew removers and laundry whiteners; however, it can be a respiratory irritant and skin irritant. There is also some research that seems to indicate that it could be a thyroid disruptor.

Today many people have self-cleaning ovens, but those who don’t often use oven cleaners with sodium hydroxide in it. Sodium hydroxide can also be found in some brands of drain openers. It can be extremely corrosive. If it gets in your eyes or touches your skin it can cause severe burns.

The post Cleaning Chemicals Damaging Your Health appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Health Damage – Allergic Reactions…What it Means.

Health damage due to allergic reactions elicited by the immune system thus comprises an area of concern for most both physicians and the general public. It is best to control the occurrence of allergic reactions, especially when extreme responses are released by the immune system. There are currently several anti-allergy medications that are available in the market, which are known to suppress the immune system from responding to the presence of allergens. If allergic reactions are left untreated, it may be possible for an individual to experience serious health damage, including severe asthma.

According to a recent medical report published in the Journal of Allergy, certain common medications are also responsible for triggering allergic reactions, resulting in a hyperactive immune system that may potentially result in further health damage. The report explained that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are generally used for the treatment of symptoms such as inflammation, headache, and pain, have the capacity to stimulate the immune system.

Allergic Reactions – The Diagnosis

The study involved the participation of patients who have been positively diagnosed with allergies against these NSAIDs. These patients showed the common signs of allergic reactions, including skin damage in the form of skin rashes and difficulty in breathing. Blood samples were drawn from these patients and tested for specific cell components of the immune system. Any information of these blood tests was used in drawing up conclusions on the extent of damage that the NSAIDs may have caused to the body.

The results of the study showed that two types of cells of the immune system, namely the basophils and monocytes, were significantly high among the study participants. In addition, a specific protein marker on the cells of the immune system, CD63, was also observed to be at high levels in the blood. These observations suggested that the presence of NSAIDs in the bodies of these patients activated the immune system to produce cells that would combat the medications, in the hope of preventing further allergic reactions in the body. However, continuous intake of NSAIDs for inflammation and/or pain may also result in damage to health, mainly by pushing the immune system to overwork.

Developing Allergic Reactions from Common Drugs?

The report has shown that it is also possible to develop allergic from common drugs such as aspirin and acetaminophen. Constant hypersensitivity reactions to NSAIDs may inflict damage to the body by continuously activating cells to prevent the further generation of immune responses. It may also be quite distressing to know that the use of common medications such as NSAIDs for a simple headache may not be so helpful to some people because of the potential health damage that may result. It is thus best to consult a physician for other alternative drugs that may be used for inflammation and pain and at the same time, to avoid the complications of health damage due to drug allergies.

The post The Worlds Weirdest Allergies appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Aeroshot is a product that is marketed to provide an air-based boost of energy in the form of a caffeine inhaler.  Each canister contains 100mg of caffeine and B vitamins. It is marketed as a zero-calorie energy option with no mystery ingredients that is convenient for whenever you may need an energy boost.

The Warnings About Potential Damage

The FDA requires that products are safe and are properly labeled before making them available to consumers.   The first problem that the FDA had with Aeroshot caffeine inhalers was the product labeling was mid-leading. The company’s promotional material described two different ways in which to use the product.  The first method was ingesting by swallowing; the second was by inhaling. The FDA stated that a product cannot be both inhaled and ingested because these two processes are separated by the epiglottis which is in the throat.

The second problem that the FDA had with Aeroshot caffeine inhalers was that they were marketed as “breathable energy” which may have led to confusion by consumers resulting in consumers trying to inhale the product into their lungs.   Caffeine is not normally inhaled into the lungs and the damage that can be caused, including lung function damage, has not be thoroughly studied.   The makers of Aeroshot stated on their website that there were decades of research that showed that the particles in Aeroshot are too big to be inhaled in the lungs (indirectly saying that they will not cause lung function damage).  However, they don’t cite any specific research to back up this statement which is another point that the FDA mentioned in their warning to the company.

The Effect on Lung Function

The next problem that the FDA had with Aeroshot was that it recommended that the product not be used by people under the age of 18, but seemed to be targeting this population by saying that it could be used while studying.  Furthermore, the FDA also had a problem with the fact that the Aeroshot website posted links to articles and videos that showed Aeroshot being used in conjunction with alcohol.  This poses a problem because while the site didn’t expressly say to consume alcohol while using AeroShot, the presence of the links may have encouraged users to combine the two products.  Mixing caffeine and alcohol can be a deadly combination resulting in injury/damage and even death because while the caffeine may make users feel “less drunk” it does not decrease their blood alcohol level.

Lastly, the FDA found that Breathable Foods Inc., did not have contact information for users to report adverse reactions to using this product.  This regulation is required under federal law.

When all was said and done, Breathable Foods Inc., had 15 business days to respond to the FDA with a plan to make Aeroshot caffeine inhalers comply with FDA regulations.

The Response – What Breathable Foods Inc. Says About Damage

Tom Hadfield, CEO, of Breathable Foods Inc., released a statement following the FDA warning that read: “We plan to work closely with the FDA to meet their requests for information and labeling changes to ensure compliance with dietary supplement requirements. AeroShot delivers a mix of B vitamins and caffeine to the mouth for ingestion and is not ‘inhaled’ into the lungs. AeroShot is not recommended or marketed to persons under 18 or for use with alcohol. ”

A quick look of their website following the FDA warning reveals that most of the issues that the FDA found with their marketing have been corrected. However, they still do not cite their research sources that found that the particles are not inhaled into the lungs because of their size.

The post Serious Warnings Surrounding Caffeine Inhalers appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

The Effect on Your Immune System

The Environmental Protection Agency is taking a closer look at antibacterial soap due to the mounting evidence from studies on triclosan. Although antibacterial soap was initially thought to be a great way to fight bacteria, now scientists believe it could damage our skin, our heart, our immune system, and our endocrine system.

One of the most startling questions to date is whether triclosan disrupts the endocrine system and helps to create bacteria that are resistant to current day antibiotics. This of course would not bode well for people who are suffering from bacterial infections. Every year hundreds of people die as a result of bacterial infections in the United States, but it would be in the thousands if it weren’t for antibiotic treatment.

Countless studies have been conducted; the evidence has even been brought to the attention of U.S President Barack Obama. The University of California along with the University of Colorado conducted a study that concluded tricolsan in antibacterial soap impairs muscle function in animals; other studies have shown it has been detected in waterways and aquatic organisms, as well as human blood, urine and breast milk.

In some test tube experiments triclosan made it very difficult for heart muscle cells and skeletal muscle fibers to contract. Protein tests were also carried out in relation to heart function and the results were poor, thus leading the researchers to believe that the chemical could cause cardiac muscle failure.

Not Just Soap Causing Damage…

Any damage to our health or the environment that might be caused by triclosan isn’t just as a result of using antibacterial soap. There are many other consumer products that contain the chemical. The list below includes some examples:

•              Toothpaste

•              Cosmetics

•              Deodorant

•              Shaving Gel

•              Children’s toys

•              Socks

It is important to note that only certain brands have triclosan in them.

No Damage? Antibacterial Soap Proponents

The U.S Food and Drug Administration take a different stance on antibacterial soap. They say it isn’t currently “known to be hazardous to humans”. They admit some scientific studies that have been brought to their attention do have merit and deserve review, but they are not yet convinced that there is enough evidence to recommend changing the use of consumer products that contain triclosan. Right now the FDA says triclosan is of great benefit as an ingredient in toothpaste. They have cited studies with Colgate Total as an example.

Due to the ongoing concern about antibacterial soap, as well as other items with triclosan in them, the EPA has decided to step up its review process for this chemical. The examination was supposed to take place in 2023, but instead it will begin in 2013. In the meantime, if you are concerned about the data collected to this point, some studies show that old fashioned soap and warm water kills most germs. If you want to step up your defense and protect your immune system you can use a hand sanitizer that is alcohol based and doesn’t have triclosan or any other chemicals listed on the label.

The post The Dangerous Chemicals in Antibacterial Soap appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

The Seal Flu Pandemic – The Research

The researchers are cautioning that the new seal flu should be treated with a high level of regard and that the virus has been attacking animals, but has potential to reach humans as well doing significant immune system damage. They say it needs to be monitored to prevent the potential of an epidemic just as bad as the bird flu.

Dr. Anne Moscona, who edited the report, says “There is a concern that we have a new mammalian-transmissible virus to which humans haven’t been exposed yet. It’s a combination we haven’t seen in disease before.”

Experts are saying that this flu strain could someday pose a threat to people and people should keep their immune systems in hopes of avoiding any dangerous possibilities. Doctors are saying that while transmission between humans and harbor seals is unlikely due to the fact they aren’t often in contact, it is still possible, and the virus could find other ways to get to people causing significant damage.For example, he said, the strain might pass from seals to birds, and expand, which could cause the flu virus to spread more easily in humans.

Preventative Measures to Avoid the Immune System Impact

Experts are mentioning that even putting the bird flu aside, this particular type of flu that is being found in seals has most in common with H1N1, which is also known as the swine flu that came to light in 2009, and the virus does have specific mutations that are known to make virus spreading to humans much more likely. What makes the seal flu so unique is that it is able to target a special  protein found in the human respiratory tract, which is what gives it the potential to move between species.

The post Seal Flu – The Newest Epidemic appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

According to a recent medical report published in the journal Vaccine, the use of the flu vaccine as a preventative treatment against health damage may also pose risks to certain individuals. The report showed that the preventative H1N1 vaccine may only be beneficial to some individuals, but may not be effect to people who are undergoing hemodialysis. It is important to understand that the preventative treatment against the H1N1 virus generally involves the introduction of approximately 15 micrograms of the inactivated virus, in the hope that this may prevent health damage. The inactivated virus induces the immune system to produce specific antibodies against the H1N1 virus, thus preventing the body from succumbing to the actual infectious disease that may result in health damage. However, hemodialysis patients, who are usually at their advanced adult years, may not be as reactive to the vaccine as younger and healthier individuals.

RELATED ARTICLE: 80% of Cancer Patients Won’t Stop Doing This

The Immune System Study

The research study involved approximately 110 patients undergoing hemodialysis, as well as 173 healthy subjects, who were all administered with the preventative H1N1 flu vaccine. All study participants were screened to be free of flu symptoms, thus indicating that the introduction of the preventative flu shot may assist in preventing health damage that may occur upon infection. After administration of the preventative vaccine, the study participants were then tested in terms of their production of antibodies against the flu virus. The level of antibodies produced by the immune system may serve as a direct indication on whether the preventative treatment was indeed effective in preventing health damage related to flu infection. A higher amount of antibodies produced by the immune system will thus show that the preventative vaccine was effective, whereas a low level of antibodies will indicate that the vaccine was ineffective.

The results of the study showed that the hemodialysis patients showed a lower amount of antibodies produced by their immune system. This observation suggests that despite the use of the preventative treatment against health damage due to the H1N1 virus, hemodialysis patients may still be prone to H1N1 infection and other similar diseases. This observation may be quite alarming because this shows that this specific population may suffer from further health damage related to flu infections. In addition, the administration of the H1N1 vaccine may also not induce the immune system to produce the appropriate antibodies that will combat the microorganism.

The recent medical report suggested that there is a need for further studies on whether certain populations, such as those undergoing hemodialysis, will need multiple vaccinations to activate their immune system, as compared to the general healthier public. It may also be possible that a higher dose be administered to hemodialysis patients, yet it will also be important to determine whether a higher vaccine dose will not impart additional damage to the rest of the body. Although the current dose used for immunization does not result in side effects, it may also be helpful to determine if the immune system is still capable of dealing with higher amounts of the vaccine, to prevent unnecessary damage to one’s health.

The post What Your Doctor Won’t Tell You: Vaccines appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

What are Seasonal Illnesses and What Causes Them?

When you’re exposed to high temperatures for extended periods of time, you can develop heat exhaustion, heat cramps and/or heat stroke. Your body tries to cool itself during extreme hot weather and in the process blood will rush to the surface of the skin. This decreases the amount of blood that will be circulated to your brain, muscles and vital organs. This can lead to decreased physical and mental performance which can put you at risk of serious injury. Heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat stroke all occur when your body is unable to cool itself properly. Heat Exhaustion happens when your body loses excessive amounts of water and salt due to profuse sweating. This loss of fluid can cause circulation problems and interfere with brain activity. Heat cramps can occur when the body loses water and salt in addition to potassium or magnesium. Lastly, heat stroke occurs when you are exposed to prolonged, excessive heat and your body is unable to cool itself. During prolong heat exposure your brain’s mechanism for cooling the body essentially fails. Because of this failure, you won’t sweat and your body will overheat. The good news is that people who suffer from heat-related illness can recover if treated promptly. Conversely, without proper treatment, heat stroke can result in death.

Symptoms of heat related illness includes: headache, cramps, rapid pulse, heavy sweating, dizziness, confusion, nausea and/or vomiting. It is essential to seek treatment immediately if you notice any of these symptoms. Treatment involves getting out of the heat, sipping on water, and placing cold packs on your body to decrease body temperature.

Extremely high seasonal  temperatures can have a negative effect on anyone, but people with a weakened immune system are at the highest risk. The elderly, children, and individuals with chronic conditions may have a compromised immune system and are at a greater risk of heat-related illnesses. Additionally, individuals taking medications may be more susceptible to heat related illness as some medication can intensify the effects of seasonal high heat.

Seasonal Weather Changes and Lung Function

Seasonal changes can negatively affect individuals who chronic medical conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). People who suffer from COPD already have decreased lung function and seasonal weather changes that result in extreme hot weather can further impair lung function and trigger a serious respiratory event.

Allergies and asthma attacks can also be triggered by hot humid weather. In humid weather, pollen and mold levels both increase which can trigger an immune system response. This immune system response can trigger an asthmatic attack, which may be severe and even fatal.

For individuals suffering from diseases which impair lung function, it is important to stay in cool, air-conditioned environments to avoid exposure to extreme hot weather.

Protecting Yourself from Hot Seasonal Weather

Every year, the summer months will bring high seasonal temperatures and it is important to take steps to minimize your risk of suffering a heat-related illness that could potentially be fatal. It is especially important to take precautions in hot weather if you have a weakened immune system or have a condition which impairs your lung function. In an effort to prevent heat-related illnesses and death, take the following steps:

- Stay in a cool, air-conditioned space whenever possible

- Stay hydrated

- Wear loose, light coloured clothing

- Wear sunscreen to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays

- Stay in the shade when outdoors

- Do not over-exert yourself outdoors

- Do not leave children or the elderly in cars that can over-heat very quickly

- Seek medical attention immediately if you start to notice symptoms of heat-related illness

The post The Top Weather Killer appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Report on Immune System Damage

According to a recent report published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, an increasing trend in drug resistance to antibiotics has been observed in various strains of the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) from 1950 to 2002. The bacteria E. coli is recognized as the main causative agent for a wide spectrum of infections that could damage health, including that of gastroenteritis, intestinal flu, meningitis, and even septicemia. This bacterial species is also capable of thriving in a variety of different hosts, thus making farm animals easy targets for infections that trigger excessive bombardment and damage to the animal’s immune system.

Drug resistance has been extensively observed in E. coli because it is inherently capable of mutating itself, especially in terms of changes in its genetic sequence, which controls its capacity to avoid the impact and damage inflicted by different types of antibiotics. It is thus possible that constant changes in the genetic system of this bacterial strain occur at such a rapid pace that the immune system of the host, such as cattle, chickens, or pigs, becomes incapable of driving its immune system to produce antibodies that can specifically interact with the circulating microorganisms at the same speed.

Based on the account of Dr. Tadesse and his research team based in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the extent of drug resistance to antibiotics in E. coli has jumped from 7.2% in 1950 to 63.6% in 2002. This significant increase generally involved three antibiotics, namely tetracycline, streptomycin, and sulfonamide, which have been used for the longest time in animal breeding. The study thus suggested that the prolonged use of these antimicrobial drugs has resulted in a potential damage to both agricultural and public health, through the emergence of drug-resistant pathogenic bacterial strains that are often unrecognized by the host’s immune system.

Antibiotics and the Immune System

Interestingly, the rise in resistance to antibiotics occurred only in the last two decades, suggesting that during the first 30 years of preventative antimicrobial drug treatment, E. coli may have developed new strains that were undetected by the immune system of these farm animals. This masking effect on the immune system could have then allowed the bacterial strain to further multiply in the animals, including spreading its new genetic features to newly generated bacteria and conferring resistance against commonly used antibiotics. These drugs have thus lost its capacity in inducing genetic damage to the bacteria, allowing these microorganisms to be transmitted to the next generations of animals.

But exactly how are drug resistant bacterial strains identified? Hospitals follow standard procedures for patients that have been admitted to hospitals for suspected bacterial infections. First, urine samples from these patients are collected and analyzed using simple microbiological detection assays. The urine samples are streaked onto agar plates that were supplemented with different types of antibiotics. Any bacterial growth on these plates is then further examined based on cytological features, together with their reactivity to the antimicrobial drug present in the agar plate. An E. coli strain may thus be classified as resistant to amoxicillin if it has been observed to grow in an agar plate supplemented with amoxicillin.

The details of the recent medical report from the FDA may be quite alarming, especially when one looks into the consequences of harboring drug-resistant bacterial strains in the meat that we commonly consume during regular meals. The capacity of these microorganisms to go undetected by the immune system is also enough reason to cause concern for public health. To prevent the possible health damage that drug-resistance could create, it may be necessary to identify new and more effective antimicrobial drugs that could potentially damage the life cycle of these bacteria. In addition, the proper maintenance of the immune system in both animals and humans may also help in preventing potential damage to the body.

The post Why Meat is Causing “Super Bugs” appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Researchers obtained their data from approximately 11,000 Americans, aged 50-85, that participated in the Health and Retirement Study which is an on-going survey that began in 1992. Jason T. Newsom and his team of researchers were attempting to determine the extent to which older individuals modify smoking, alcohol consumption and exercise participation behaviors after being diagnosed with a chronic condition (heart disease, cancer, stroke, lung disease, and/or diabetes). Newsom stated that modifying these particular behaviors after a chronic disease diagnosis is important in order to maintain quality of life, to reduce the risk of complications and further damage, and to extend the life span.

The results showed that while a diagnosis of any of these conditions resulted in smokers reducing the number of cigarettes they smoked; only 19% of participants diagnosed with lung disease actually quit smoking within 2 years. Results that were not associated with smoking cessation showed that changes in exercises participation did not improve following the diagnosis of a chronic condition.  However, patients that were diagnosed with cancer, lung disease and stroke actually reduced their percentage of exercising. The researchers note that this may be due to the physical limitations that these individuals have due to the damage that these diseases cause. Additionally, individuals that were diagnosed with heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and lung disease significantly reduced their alcohol consumption.

Why Seniors Won’t Quit Smoking

The fact that over 80% of individuals diagnosed with lung disease won’t quit smoking is disturbing because in addition to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and other chronic lung diseases, smoking can also lead to lung cancer.  Lung cancer is a serious disease which causes ample damage and can lead to death.  According to Health Canada, the risk of lung cancer increases substantially with the amount an individual smokes, the number of years spent smoking and the younger that a person begins smoking.  The risk of dying from lung cancer is up to 25 times higher in smokers compared to non-smokers.  Previous research has shown that 80% of lung cancer deaths are related to smoking. However, second-hand exposure to smoke can also cause lung cancer.  The risk of developing lung cancer because of second-hand exposure is greatest for individuals living with a smoker.  The good news is that if you quit smoking, your risk of lung cancer will decrease.  Ten years after you quit smoking, your risk of lung cancer is one-third to one-half of that of a smoker. If you live with a non-smoker, they will also benefit if you quit smoking as the damage to their lungs will also be reduced.

A few socio-demographic changes that were noted by the researchers:

1.            Women and younger individuals were more likely to decrease exercises participation and decrease alcohol consumption

2.            Individuals who had a higher education were more likely to quit smoking, increase exercises participation and decrease alcohol consumption

The post 80% of Cancer Patients Won’t Stop Doing This appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

One age-old home remedy for constipation is castor oil. Derived from the castor bean plant, it has always been suggested that taking it on a regular basis would make you, well…regular. According to the Mayo Clinic it is a powerful laxative, but if you use it regularly it can cause cramping and diarrhea or it can have the opposite impact and aggravate your constipation. It turns out that your body can become dependent on it in order for you to have a bowel movement.

The Immune System Impact

Doctors suggest that there are other preventative measures you can take so that you don’t experience constipation in the first place. Consuming a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fiber, fruits, vegetables, and water is the best approach.

Another old home remedy that you may have heard about is butter for burns. Whenever the Red Cross hears this they put up red flags. They say if you put butter on a burn it does nothing to sooth or heal the problem, in fact it can make it worse by causing infection. The Red Cross suggests simply treating burns with cool water, and if severe, seek medical attention.

The Most Guilty Offender – Cold and Flu “Remedies”

The most common ailment is the cold and flu. We have all experienced it when our immune system is run-down. While there are a number of natural preventative measures we can now take to protect ourselves, there are still going to be times when we get the cold and flu. If grandma or someone else tells you to “feed a cold and starve a fever”, you might want to re-consider. Doctors now say that this adage makes no sense. They insist that your body needs energy to fight off the illness. A lack of nutrients robs the body of energy and much needed vitamins and minerals to fight off impending infection. Many physicians say the problem is that you might not feel like eating.

Hot Toddies have been used by Americans for centuries as a form of relaxation and as a cold reliever. One of the original ingredients in the authentic hot toddy is lemon juice. People claimed it was the magic ingredient because it cut through mucus; however, there is no scientific evidence to support this theory.

Whenever you have been running a fever due to the cold and flu or some other type of illness, you may have been advised to take a cold bath. For years doctors and nurses would tell new mothers to give their teething babies a cool bath to help lower their fever. Now modern day practitioners believe it can cause a person to shiver, which can actually raise internal temperature and make the fever worse.

Acne is the most common skin disease in America. Sixty million people in the United States have it. Serious acne starts out as little pimples and for years people have been treating it with toothpaste. This home remedy is popular, but is could be hurting you. Certain toothpastes contain an antibacterial compound called triclosan. It is a common ingredient in acne treatment products, yet many types of toothpaste have other ingredients that irritate the skin and can cause more redness.

Do you have a toothache? Try biting down on a clove. That’s what many people do to fight the annoying pain. Unfortunately, this home remedy hasn’t really been proven. Some people say it doesn’t work at all, while others claim it gives them relief for a few minutes and then the pain returns. No studies have been conducted to support the idea that cloves curb toothaches.

Apple Cider Vinegar has been used since the beginning of recorded history for ailments, but if you’ve been told to swallow a few teaspoons of it to soothe heartburn, don’t bother. Physicians claim it doesn’t work.

There are many home remedies, both old and new that you will hear about, but until they have been scientifically proven or your doctor indicates they are safe, it is best not to experiment.

The post Debunking Grandma’s Home Remedies appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

What This Could Mean for Your Immune System

Below is a list of nail issues and what they signify with regards to your health. Keep in mind that it takes approximately 6 months for your nails to grow out, so any abnormality that has begun in the past 6 months reflects a new health issue, while nail abnormalities that you have been dealing with for longer are more likely to reflect ongoing, chronic health issues.

Signs of a Nutrient Deficiency

If your nails are thin or splitting you may be deficient in any or all of the following nutrients: essential fatty acids such as omega 3’s; the microminerals manganese or copper and the minerals magnesium or zinc. If you have white spots on your nails you may be deficient in calcium or zinc and if you have pitting brown spots you may be deficient in vitamin C or folic acid. Finally, longitudinal striations (vertical indented lines) can signify digestive system damage and consequently an inability to properly absorb nutrients.

Nail Shape and Health

The shape of your nails can also provide numerous health tips. If your nails are spoon shaped you may be anemic. If they are unusually long and narrow, it could signify damage to your pituitary gland or a hormonal deficiency. If they are wide and very square, it could indicate damage to your thyroid gland or hormonal imbalances and if they are clubbed shaped it could be indicative of numerous chronic diseases including emphysema, cancer, tuberculosis, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, AIDS, cardiovascular disease and chronic cough. Nails that look scooped out (spoon shaped) with a depression that is large enough to hold a drop of water are associated with hypothyroidism, heart disease, iron deficiency anemia and a liver disorder called hemochromatoisus.

Signs of a Compromised Immune System

Nail pitting is characterized by small depressions in the nails and it is most often a sign of immune system related disorders such as psoriasis or alopecia areata. A separation of the fingernail from the nail bed or an ongoing fungal infection can also be caused by a malfunctioning immune system.

Signs that your Are Stressed out or Anxious

Ragged nails with bitten edges are an obvious sign of stress; however a less well known signifier of too much stress or anxiety is a ridge across the thumb nail. White horizontal lines, as well as brittle peeling nails, can also be caused by emotional stress.

The post Fingernails are Windows to Your Health appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Preventing Allergies to Protect Your Immune System

According to recent medical report published in the journal Environmental Health, specific conditions in the home such as dampness and the presence of mold may increase the likelihood of developing disorders involving the respiratory system such as asthma, as well as problems of the immune system, including allergic reactions. The level of moisture inside a home is mainly influenced by various factors, including the type of materials used during construction and the extent of maintenance of the establishment. During the construction of a home, certain preventative measures against moisture accumulation may be adapted, including the use of high quality materials that inhibit the seepage of water through surfaces during rainy days. The use of waterproof paint to coat the surfaces of walls may also serve as a preventative measure against moisture accumulation inside the home. In terms of home maintenance, regular checks on the surface quality of walls around the house may also act as a preventative measure against increasing moisture within the home.

The recent report employed a measurement index that examined various features in the home that could contribute to the level of dampness and production of molds. This study was fueled by the need to identify causes of medical disorders involving the immune system, such as allergic reactions and other hypersensitivity responses of foreign particles in the air. By using this measurement index in evaluating approximately 891 homes in New Zealand, the research study showed that dampness and mold were the key features that increased the incidence of respiratory diseases such as asthma, and other disorders of the immune system, including allergic reactions. Based on these observations, preventative schemes may then be designed to directly resolve the quality of air inside homes.

The Results of the Immune System Study

The study showed that dampness decreases air ventilation in the home, thus triggering the development of allergic reactions to various tiny particles present in the air. The immune system may also be further affected by these allergic reactions, activating other cells of the immune system in producing proteins and antibodies that are designed to combat foreign materials that enter the body.

In the case of the presence of mold on the walls and other surfaces inside the home, it is possible to develop allergic reactions against pollen produced by these harmful microorganisms. In addition to this direct response by the immune system, mold on various surfaces can also generate toxins that could either desensitize the nerve cells of the body or trigger cell destruction. It is thus important to identify areas in the home that are damp or harbor the presence of mold and perform preventative measures in eradicating these features.

According to the New Zealand study, dampness and the presence of mold in the house has been strongly associated with an 11% increase in the incidence of asthma. The development of wheezing and difficulty in breathing is more evident among children and this may be attributable to their immature immune system, which has not been extensively involved with allergic reactions. It is also possible for adults with asthma to experience further deterioration in health when they constantly generate allergic reactions and other responses involving the immune system. Preventative schemes against mold and moisture in the indoor air of homes may therefore improve general health.

Majority of the homes in New Zealand are comprised of timber, which is the most frequent material to which moisture and mold adhere. It would thus be a preventative measure to fully insulate the walls and other surfaces of homes to prevent allergic reactions and other immune system disorders. Another preventative measure against allergic reactions such as asthma would be to replace the ventilation system in the home, allowing better circulation of the air. This preventative action may also prevent the unnecessary activation of the immune system to foreign particles in the air.

The post Is Your Own Home Triggering Your Allergies? appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

The Health Tips for New Mothers

Researchers which included those at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) used data from a birth record database which looked at 55,570 births that took place during the H1N1 pandemic. The results were then published by the American Journal of Public Health.

What was most interesting to note within the confines of the study on immune system effects, was that mothers who received the H1N1 vaccination during the flu epidemic had much reduced risk of preterm birth and stillbirth.

Other results of the study really stood out, too. The study was able to deduce that compared to the pregnant women who were not immunized again H1N1, the women were:

• 34 percent less likely to have a stillbirth
• 28 percent less likely to deliver before 32 weeks
• 19 percent less likely to give birth to a child with a birth weight in the lower third percentile.
• No issues with mothers or babies vaccinated for H1N1-flu vaccinated during the weeks before and just after birth.

Why This is Important for Immune Health of the Baby

Lead authors of the study, which is considered to be one of largest studies (on the immune system and health of mothers and children) of its kind, say the results are impressive for any number of reasons, but of particular mention is the healthy lifestyles of the women in question, “Pregnant women are generally very, very careful about what they put into their bodies. For health-care providers, such a large-scale study that shows no adverse perinatal outcomes resulting from the H1N1 flu vaccine will be extremely helpful when discussing maternal vaccination.”

The study examined women who had single child births that were recorded between November of 2009 and April of 2010. In that study group 42% of the women received the H1N1 flu vaccination.

As a general rule of thumb The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has recommended that pregnant women who are at any stage of pregnancy receive a flu shot, ideally during the months of October and November when flu season is considered to be most prevalent.

The post The Flu Shot While Pregnant – A Good Thing? appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

The Effects of Both on Your Immune System

Researchers studied three residential buildings that utilized different types of energy (gas or electric cookers).  They monitored levels of pollutants that are known to cause health damage, especially in the elderly and in individuals with respiratory (lung function) and cardiovascular problems.  They measured the pollutant levels over a period of four weeks. The pollutants measured were carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and small particles that are able to penetrate into the lungs, potentially having an impact on lung function.

The results showed that nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels were three times higher in units that had gas cookers than levels measured outside of the property, including city center hot spots.  Additionally, the levels measured in the units with gas cookers were higher than the United Kingdom Indoor Air Quality Guidance recommended levels.  Additionally, the average particle concentrations for all pollutants measured in kitchens that had gas cookers were higher than the recommended outdoor levels set by the government in both England and London.

Air Pollution and Lung Function

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, air pollution is associated with a number of negative effects on health including: pulmonary (lung function) damage, cardiac damage, vascular damage and neurological damage. High risk groups including, children, the elderly, pregnant women and individuals suffering from chronic health conditions are more susceptible to air pollution.  Effects of air pollution can be acute which are usually seen immediately upon exposure and are usually reversible or chronic which are usually not seen immediately and are usually not reversible.  Examples of acute effects include irritated eyes, coughing, headaches and nausea.  Examples of chronic effects include decreased lung function and lung cancer.

Exposure to air pollutants can result in damage to the skin, eyes and other body systems but it primarily affects the respiratory system. Hazardous pollutants can lead to more serious health concerns including cancer, damage to the immune system, neurological damage, reproductive and developmental damage. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the effects of indoor air pollution include headaches, tiredness, dizziness, nausea and throat irritation. They state that more serious effects include cancer and exacerbation of chronic health conditions, including asthma.

The lead researcher of the Sheffield University study, Vida Sharifi, states that the findings from this current study pose a major concern as we spend approximately 90% of our time indoors.  Focus is usually placed on exposure to outdoor air pollution; Sharifi notes that people rarely think about immune system damage that can be caused by indoor air pollution.  Sharifi states that we need to better understand indoor air pollution. Currently, there is limited research available that shows the emission rates of different appliances found in households around the world.  There are also no acceptable standards for indoor pollutant levels.  This study shows the need for additional research in this area in an effort to reduce the chance of damage to our health. We need to be more aware of indoor pollution and the long term health damage that it can cause.

The post The Grossest Place in Your Whole House appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

The Effect of the Hygiene Hypothesis on Your Immune System

Since the release of the research article on the hygiene hypothesis, several reports supporting the concept of early exposure to viral and bacterial infections as a preventative mechanism against allergies generated by the immune system have emerged. For example, it has been reported that children interacting with each other and thus possibly transmitting viral bacterial infections possess a more developed immune system, as compared to children who have less exposure and interactions with other kids. These include children who have more siblings or those who are regularly sent to day care. Children who had acquired viral and bacterial infections early in life have thus apparently acquired a preventative method of building their immune system, thus lowering their chances of suffering from an allergic disease later in life.

According to a recent report published in the journal Public Library of Science (PLoS), early viral or bacterial infections, through the involvement of the immune system, delay the development of a hypersensitivity reaction of a child’s body. This observation may be preventative against allergic reactions produced by the immune system, thus protecting the body from severe viral and bacterial infections.

The Results of the Immune System Study

In a study involving approximately 283 children with ages ranging from two to seven years old, physical examination was performed to identify signs of early infection to Candida albicans, a pathogenic fungi that commonly afflicts patients positively diagnosed with cancer or AIDS. C. albicans generally occurs among patients with poor immune system, thus lacking a preventative mechanism against the entry and infection to this agent. This fungus initially infects the mouth and the genital areas of a patient and then rapidly spreads throughout the body, often resulting in death. The study also examined the thickness of the skin in the triceps area, which often manifests any signs of fungal infection. Questionnaires were also completed by the parents of the children to collect information regarding family size, administration of BCG vaccination, and medical history of viral or bacterial infections during early infancy.

What This Means for Bacterial Infections

The results of the study showed that the children who were earlier exposed to viral or bacterial infections were strongly associated with a delayed allergic response to the fungal pathogen, C. albicans. This observation thus suggested that the immune system of these children possessed a preventative capacity against viral and bacterial infections. The study also showed that children who have been earlier hospitalized during their infancy due to viral or bacterial infections were less likely to produce an allergic reaction to C. albicans. This preventative mechanism of the immune system appeared to be a more effective method against viral and bacterial infections, as compared to the administration of antiviral or antibacterial drugs.

This recent medical report provides useful information in understanding the role of immunity to various types of disease, thus allowing biomedical researchers to design preventative schemes against infections and specific conditions such as autoimmune diseases. Immunity can effectively protect the body from the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms, yet it is also important to determine the actual timing of infection. The medical report suggests that the immune system needs to be activated early in order to generate a preventative scheme against immune disorders. Through this mechanism, the immune cells may produce specific antibodies that would interact and destroy foreign bodies circulating with the body. This preventative mechanism may also play a role in decreasing the morbidity and mortality rates associated with immune disorders.

The post Does Your Hygiene Really Affect Your Immunity? appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

The researchers looked at 17 previous studies on smoking and mortality. Current smoking was associated with an increased mortality rate in all of the studies. Smokers aged 60 and over were 83% more likely to die at any age when compared to non-smokers. The beneficial results of smoking cessation were found in all age groups, including those 80 years and older. One British study found that at age 80, 59% of non-smokers were alive, while only 26% of smokers were alive. Although the research does not show, for certain, that smoking is responsible for the difference in death rates, the researchers believe that it’s possible because the chemicals found in cigarettes are known to cause cell damage and because people who smoke more live shorter lives than those that smoke less.

Effects of Smoking on Your Immune System

Smoking causes damage to your immune system by decreasing the antibodies that protect you against foreign substances, making smokers more susceptible to illness. Because of this immune system damage, smokers often take a longer time to recover from infections. In addition to immune system antibody damage, the chemicals in cigarettes travel through a smoker’s bloodstream and interfere with the normal immune response. For example carbon monoxide travels through the body and interferes with oxygen levels which have a negative impact on many body systems including the heart, muscles, lungs and many other organs. In addition, the airways of the lungs narrow thereby decreasing lung function. Additionally, increased mucous in the lungs also decreases lung function. Damage to the lungs can result in serious lung infections.

Can the Damage be Reversed?

The good news is that damage to your immune system can be reversed if you quit smoking. The American Cancer Society reports that at 8 hours after quitting the carbon monoxide levels in your blood drops to normal and the oxygen levels in your blood increases to a normal level. This allows oxygen to flow freely throughout the body. Between 2 weeks and 3 months after quitting, your lung function will increase by up to 30%. Circulation will improve at this time as well which will make walking and other physical activity easier to perform. Between 1 and 9 months after quitting coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath should decrease. The cilia in your lungs will regrow which will help your immune system to fight off infection. From one year onwards after you quit, many other health benefits are seen, including a decreased risk of many types of cancers and coronary heart disease. The research shows that the damage caused by smoking, including damage to your immune system and decreased lung function, can all be repaired, at least in part.

If you’re a smoker, it’s never too late to quit – some of the damage is reversible. Speak to your doctor about resources that are available for smoking cessation and get on track to a healthier life.

The post Why it’s Never Too Late to Quit Smoking appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Researchers from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital showed that second-hand cigarette smoke was associated with moderate to severe irritative bladder symptoms in children. The study looked at children aged 4-17 years who needed care from a pediatric urologist for bladder storage symptoms including: urinary urgency, increased urinary frequency and incontinence. 28% of the children included in the study were exposed to second-hand cigarette smoke.  More than half of the children included in the study had moderate to severe bladder storage symptoms – 50% were exposed to cigarette smoke in a car and 23% had mothers who smoked. The researchers found that as exposure to second-hand smoke increased so did the severity of the bladder storage symptoms.  Additionally, children aged 4-10 years had the highest rate of severe symptoms. This research shows that exposure to second-hand smoke increases the risk and severity of urinary symptoms in children.  These symptoms could be reduced or prevented if the children were not exposed to second-hand smoke.

Yet Another Reason to Quit Smoking

In addition to the effects of second-hand cigarette smoke on bladder function in children, it also has a negative impact on a child’s immune system and lung function. Children who are exposed to second-hand smoke tend to get sick more often due to the damaging effects on their immune system.  Additionally, their lung function is reduced because their lungs grow less than children who aren’t exposed to second-hand smoke.  Due to this decreased lung function, they tend to suffer from bronchitis and pneumonia more frequently.  Additionally, because of their decreased lung function, children who are exposed to second-hand smoke cough and wheeze more often than children not exposed.  The effects of second-hand smoke exposure on a child’s immune system causes them to have more frequent and more severe asthma attacks.  Lastly, children who are exposed to second-hand smoke also get more ear infections due to the negative effects of smoke on their immune system.

The post Secondhand Smoke Affecting Your Kids in a Dangerous New Way appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

The immune system glitch that researchers have recently discovered involves an antibody molecule which is called a free light chain. In individuals who suffer from this glitch, their immune system produces too much of this molecule. As a result, they are much more likely to die from illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and cardiac and respiratory disease when compared to individuals who have an immune system that produces a normal level of this molecule.

What it Means for Your Immune System and Risk of Death

Blood samples of approximately 16,000 people, aged 50 and over were evaluated. The researchers found that participants that had the highest levels of free light chains were about four times more at risk of death compared to those with lower levels of this molecule. Even when other factors were accounted for, including age, gender and kidney function, the risk of death was still approximately double.

An individuals’ immune system response to things such as infection, damage from inflammation or damage from other disorders may be the reason that they have high levels of free light chains according to the lead researcher from this study, Vincent Rajkumar, MD. While previous research has shown that high levels of free light chains are associated with an increased risk of death in patients with plasma disorders (lymphoma and other blood cancers), this is the first study that shows high levels of this molecule is associated with an increased death risk in the general population.

The Immune System Response

The immune system response to infection or damage is to produce antibodies. Antibodies contain both heavy chains and light chains. Usually people produce slightly more light chains that are found in the blood in their free state (meaning that they are not bound to a heavy chain). Normally, the excess of light chains does not cause health damage, but they are usually a marker that there is an underlying problem such as immune system stimulation, kidney damage or failure or plasma cell disorders.

The way in which levels of free light chains are measured is via a simple blood test. However, Dr. Rajkumar suggests that we do not administer to this test in an effort to gauge an individuals’ risk of death. He cautions against it because it will “only cause alarm” and as of right now, there is no remedy. Currently, it is unknown why this molecule is associated with higher death rates. As well, there is no remedy at the present time for individuals with high levels of this molecule. He states until we know what these results mean and until a remedy is established, we should not use this simple blood test as a screening measure in the general population.

Further research needs to look at why increased levels of free light chains are associated with such a high increase in death risk. Additionally, researchers need to identify a remedy for individuals who have high levels of free light chains. Future researchers should investigate whether immune system damage is responsible for the increase in free light chains. If damage to the immune system is responsible, ways to remedy the damage should also be investigated.

Until researchers determine why this immune system glitch is causing damage to the normal immune system response, there is no reason to test the general population with the simple blood test. Seeing as a remedy does not exist for individuals that have this glitch, there is no reason to create un-necessary panic.

The post This Could Increase Your Chance of Death By 400% appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Urban vs. Rural – Allergic Reactions

Previous studies have found that people living in urban areas as opposed to rural areas, have a higher likelihood of developing allergic reactions and allergic conditions such as eczema, asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis.  In addition, the results from a new study that will be published in the July issue of Clinical Pediatrics, suggest that city living increases the likelihood for food allergies in children.

The study was conducted by Ruchi Gupta, M.D., an assistant professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a physician at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, and his colleagues. The researchers analyzed 38,465 children under the age of 18, living in urban centers, metropolitan cities, urban outskirts, suburban areas, small towns and rural areas. To ensure accurate results, they controlled for race, ethnicity, gender, age and household income.

The researchers found that nearly 10 percent of children living in urban centers had food allergies, while only 6.2 percent of children living in urban areas suffered from allergic reactions to food. They also found that urban children were twice as likely to be allergic to peanuts and three times as likely to be allergic to shellfish as the rural living children.  Of all of the states, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, Alaska, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and the District of Columbia, had the highest percent of children with food allergies.  “We have found for the first time that higher population density corresponds with a greater likelihood of food allergies in children,” said Gupta.

Much Different Than Seasonal Allergies

The exact reason why city living increases ones susceptibility to allergies is unknown; however one hypothesis is that the overabundance of pollutants in urban areas may trigger the allergic reactions.  Another hypothesis is that infants who grow up in rural areas are exposed to certain bacteria that help to protect them from developing hypersensitivities to allergens.

Unfortunately, there is no permanent cure for food allergies offered by mainstream medicine and although scientists have many theories, including this most recent city living hypothesis, they have no definitive explanation as to what makes people develop allergic reactions to otherwise harmless substances. “This shows that environment has an impact on developing food allergies. Similar trends have been seen for related conditions like asthma. The big question is — what in the environment is triggering them? A better understanding of environmental factors will help us with prevention efforts,” says Gupta.

The post City Kids More Likely to Suffer Allergies appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

The Damage Caused

There are both indoor and outdoor respiratory offenders to consider. They can target you depending on your genetic make-up and on your overall general health. For instance, if you already have a weak immune system, the risk of contracting a respiratory ailment thanks to one of these offenders is much higher. Below is a list of the top respiratory offenders.

•              Allergens

•              Molds

•              Tobacco Smoke

•              Air pollutants

Allergens

Outdoor allergens include pollen, fern spores, soy dust, and fungi. Particles are released from sources into the air by wind, rain, and mechanical disturbances. It is difficult to avoid outdoor allergens. Indoor allergens include dogs, cats, dust, molds and fungi. Both indoor and outdoor allergies are closely connected to asthma. Studies show allergies to pets for example, can trigger asthma. Over 20 million people in the United States suffer from asthma.

Simple house cleaning can go a long way in significantly reducing allergen levels in your home and reducing damage to your lungs.

•              Wash bedding in hot water

•              Put allergen-impermeable covers on all your pillows, box springs and mattresses

•              Vacuum and steam clean upholstered furniture

•              Vacuum and steam clean carpets

Mold

Breathing in mold spores for many people causes a mild allergic reaction. For others it can have a huge effect on lung function. For instance, it can trigger serious asthma attacks.

The Effects on Your Immune System

Some people believe that something called “black mold” can cause fever, rashes, coughing, severe headaches and even bleeding lungs. According to the Mayo Clinic there is evidence to suggest that breathing “black mold” spores create a lot of damage to lung function, but more research is warranted.

Tobacco Smoke

Decades of research has shown that smoking or exposure to tobacco has health risks, including respiratory disease. Now the University of Arizona has conducted a study that shows the health risks can continue well beyond childhood for those who are exposed to second hand smoke. The research indicates that kids exposed to second hand smoke through their parents had an increased risk of chronic respiratory illness and “lung function deficits” later in their lives.

Aside from cancer and heart disease, smoking is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, chronic lung infections, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. Health organizations around the world spend millions on programs to help people quit smoking.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a commitment to better air quality standards will save millions of American from certain death. Countless studies have linked air pollution to asthma, bronchitis and a long list of other respiratory illnesses. Data collected from researchers at the University of Southern California suggests that exposure to pollutants from vehicles and fossil fuels may hurt lung development and diminish breathing capacity for a lifetime.

Damage from air pollution has been well publicized. The American Lung Association has stated that despite environmental efforts, millions of people face unsafe pollution levels daily. Smog not only creates poor lung function, it can cause further damage to those who already suffer from ailments like bronchitis, asthma and emphysema.

The post Top Reasons Your Respiratory Health is Suffering appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Infections and Antibiotic Use

Twenty percent of antibiotic prescriptions in the United States are written for sinus infections. Antibiotics target bacteria, yet more and more research shows most sinus infections are caused by viruses, not bacteria.  According to the Infectious Diseases Society of America between 90 and 98 per cent of the infections are created by viruses.

A recent study put the antibiotic Amoxicillin to the test. It turned out that sinus infection patients that took amoxicillin were no better off than those who took a placebo for improving their symptoms.

Doctors say part of the problem is that there is currently no easy test to determine whether a sinus infection is viral or bacterial. They also point out that many patients have come to expect antibiotics to be prescribed.

One in 7 people are diagnosed with a sinus infection every year. Below are some of the common symptoms:

•              Blocked nasal passage

•              Pain or pressure in nasal passage, eyes and forehead

•              Fatigue

•              Fever

•              Poor sense of taste

•              Poor sense of smell

While viruses and bacteria can cause a sinus infection, studies by the famed Mayo Clinic have concluded that chronic sinusitis is often caused by fungus. It can’t be treated with antibiotics either. Thirty-seven million people in the United States suffer from chronic sinusitis.

Negative Impact of Antibiotic Use

Inappropriate use of antibiotics can have a negative impact on our health. Scientists have determined that overuse of antibiotics promotes the development of drug-resistant bacteria known as superbugs.

Infection prevention

The best way to avoid having to deal with a sinus infection or other types of infections that can be difficult to deal with is through preventative steps. A few simple health tips can build up your immune system so that you can avoid illness in the first place.

Here are some health tips to take into consideration…

•              Eat fresh fruit and vegetables every day

•              Avoid sugary, fried and fatty food that will suppress your immune system

•              Make sure you are getting all the essential vitamins and minerals

•              Consume herbs and spices to assist your immune system

•              Exercise 30 minutes, 2 to 3 times per week

•              Get plenty of rest

The post The Antibiotics Scandal appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Many of the healing properties associated with lemons stem from the measurable amount of vitamin C found within them. Vitamin C is not only one of the most important antioxidants in nature; it is also the primary water-soluble antioxidant found in the human body.  The antioxidants in lemons scavenge free radicals and in so doing, they prevent free radicals from causing damage and death to your cells and DNA.  Vitamin C is well known to help to boost the immune system as well.

Lemons are not amongst the top healing foods merely because of their vitamin C content—their health benefits extend much further. They are an excellent source of the mineral potassium, which is essential for smooth electrical transmission in the nervous system and brain.  A deficiency in potassium has been linked to anxiety, depression and memory problems; as such, the regular consumption of lemons may help to prevent these disorders.  Potassium is also essential for cardiovascular health.

The Ultimate Healing Food?

The post The Healing Properties of Lemons appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Despite the general response of the immune system to pollen and the accompanying health tips for treatment of allergies, it is of equal importance to know that several types of plants can produce pollen, of which may generate different levels of damage to the body. Pollen may thus come from trees, flowering plants, crops, and even grass, triggering a response from the affected individual’s immune system. For several decades, it has been a common notion that pollen generates the same type of response from the immune system and thus general health tips have been recommended for seasonal allergies. The allergy medications and health tips were assumed to be equally effective in treating most types of pollen allergies and preventing further health damage.

The recent report on grass pollen allergies showed that the degree of allergic reaction generated by the immune system varies according to the grass species that produced the pollen, thus health tips in treating these conditions and the extent of damage of health might also be different. The study examined the allergic response of approximately 233 participants to different grass species, including Bahia, Johnson, and Bermuda grasses. The allergic response based on the immune system was measured using the skin prick test, which involved introducing droplets of a specific grass allergen underneath the skin. Fifteen minutes after introducing the allergen, the diameter of the wheal or the reacting area surrounding the site of the prick, which represents the reaction of the immune system to the allergen, was measured. Wheals that were greater than 3 millimeters in diameter indicated a positive reaction generated by the immune system.

The results of the study showed that the diameter of the wheals were greater when allergen extracts from Bermuda and Bahia grass types were introduced to the forearms of the study participants. On the other hand, the diameter of the wheals generated from allergen extracts of Johnson grass was smaller, suggesting that the immune system did not extensively react to the presence of this particular extract and that the level of health damage might not be so severe. These results also suggest that the common health tips for the treatment of allergies may not be as effective as expected, based on the nature of the pollen.

What This Means for Your Allergies

The report on the variation in allergic reactions to pollen showed that the severity of response of the body’s immune system varies according to the nature of the allergen and thus, might influence the extent of health damage and the type of health tips for allergy treatment. The study showed differences in the degree of allergy based on the grass species, thus it is also possible that the nature of the pollen allergen may also result in varying levels of allergies. For example, pollen from trees may result in a different degree of allergy from pollen generated by flowering plants or grasses.

The medical report on varying responses to grass pollen may help medical practitioners in their description of treatment schemes and health tips for patients suffering from seasonal allergies. The information contributed by the report may also decrease the chances of further damage to the respiratory system, especially when the response of the immune system to pollen needs to be immediately addressed using proper treatments. In cases wherein allergic reactions to pollen are not rapidly treated with common and effective health tips, it is possible that the individual will suffer from further damage to his or her health by developing asthma.

It may be possible that in the future, allergic treatments and health tips will be developed on the basis of specific allergens. For example, it might be possible to design treatments for allergies caused by grass pollen and another treatment for immune reactions against tree pollen. The design of specific treatment regimens may also decrease the chances of inflicting extensive damage to the health of the affected individual.

The post All Pollen Allergies are Not Created Equal appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

According to the Mayo Clinic when the air sacs in the lungs become irritated and inflammation sets in, it is called pneumonitis. This inflammation created by pneumonitis can hamper the delivery of oxygen to your bloodstream. Studies indicate that pneumonitis is associated with specific varieties of mold and bacteria, which can lead to an infection in the lungs known as mycobacterium avium. As more cases develop physicians are referring to it as “hot tub lung”.

Why Certain Preventative Measures Need to be Taken

Here’s how hot tub lung happens: a hot tub is filled with water that is brought to a high temperature, the water becomes contaminated and bubbles form in the contaminated water from the force of the hot tub jets. These bubbles burst when they rise to the surface dispensing the bacteria into the air. You then breathe in the air, bacteria included.

Part of the problem is that a lot of hot tub owners do not change the water or filters in their hot tubs as often as is recommended. Researchers have discovered that the bacteria can multiply quickly if the chlorine levels drop and pH rises. The good news is that so far studies seem to show that the bacteria infestation is happening with indoor hot tubs, not units that are outdoors.

The symptoms of “hot tub lung” can be similar to the common cold or in some cases more severe. Chest tightness and shortness of breath is always concerning and can be associated with infections from the tubs. Preventative steps can be taken so that you don’t have to get rid of your hot tub. Following a healthy tip or two will go a long way in keeping your tub bacteria free.

•              Maintain proper amounts of chlorine

•              Drain and scrub tub with bleach solution at least once a month

•              Keep surfaces and decks around the hot tub clean

•              Always shower or bathe before using the hot tub

Taking preventative measures ahead of time seem like a small nuisance compared to the discomfort of a lung infection. A lung infection; if left undiagnosed, can lead to serious organ damage. Another healthy tip for indoor hot tub users…if you have what seems to be stubborn cold-like symptoms, fever and chills, talk to your doctor about getting a chest x-ray or CT scan. Both of these tests can detect pneumonitis. The sooner you get attention, the more chance you have of avoiding any permanent damage.

Hot tub lung does not form overnight. It is normally detected in frequent hot tub users. However, there are other types of hot tub bacteria that can cause health issues, including rashes. Again, the best preventative measure is careful control of chlorine and acid levels in the hot tub.

Damage to Your Body

Recent studies have linked too much chlorine in indoor swimming pools to lung problems. Researchers from France and Canada discovered that indoor swimmers had airway damage and scar tissue in their lungs. There is a concern that with warnings about “hot tub lung”, the pendulum will swing the other way; that people will start putting too much chlorine in their hot tubs in an attempt to avoid lung infections. While we may all have our own ideas when it comes to preventative maintenance, following hot tub guidelines when it comes to cleaning is the safest approach.

If you already suffer from heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes, a final healthy tip would be to consult with your doctor before entering a hot tub. You could be avoiding further damage to your body

The post Theories on Hot Tub Therapy appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

In a new study published in Nature Medicine researchers found that infecting 41 healthy volunteers with the different strains of the influenza virus resulted in differing severity of illness. They found that individuals who had a higher level of a specific type of white blood cell as part of their immune system were less likely to develop a serious illness after being infected with the virus. Based on the results of this study, the researchers hope to copy the natural immune system response that helps with influenza resistance that was seen in some of the participants. The way in which they hope to do this is to develop a vaccine that boosts the level of a particular type of T-cell of the immune system. The T-cells are the part of the immune system that is responsible for identifying the peptides that are part of every known strain of influenza.

RELATED READING: Top Foods for Flu Prevention

A vaccine that aims to improve the T-cell response will help to provide lasting immunity against multiple strains of influenza, including the seasonal flu, avian flu and swine flu. Currently, scientists are worried that the H5N1 avian (bird) strain could mutate and begin to spread from human to human which could potentially cause an influenza pandemic. Further research is warranted in this area to support the finding from this study and help to develop a suitable universal vaccine to protect our society.

Is it the Cold or the Flu?

Distinguishing between the cold and flu is necessary because the complications that arise from the cold and flu can be drastically different. A cold is a milder infection and the symptoms may make you feel bad for a few days. On the other hand, the flu can make you feel sick for a few days to a few weeks. The flu can also lead to more serious health complications including pneumonia. Cold symptoms usually include: a sore throat, runny nose followed by congestion, along with a cough. Having a fever because of a cold is relatively uncommon. However, children are more prone to having a fever with a cold. If symptoms persist past a week, speak to your doctor as you may have a bacterial infection and require antibiotics. On the other hand, flu symptoms are usually more severe and include: sore throat, headache, fatigue, fever, body aches, congestion and cough. The Swine Flu (H1N1) is also associated with vomiting and diarrhea. Common complications, including pneumonia, are sometimes seen with the flu. In order to prevent both the cold and flu, frequent hand washing is highly recommended as this will help to prevent the spread of the cold and flu viruses.

Influenza and Bacterial Infections

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bacterial infections can occur in combination with influenza. Additionally, bacterial infections can occur after influenza. An example of one of the serious bacterial infections that can accompany influenza is Staphylococcus aureus (Staph.). Bacterial infections with Staph., at the same time as influenza can cause serious illness, and even death. Currently, the CDC is working with public health authorities to monitor and investigate bacterial infections that occur concurrently or shortly after influenza infection. The CDC continues to state that the best way to prevent influenza and possible bacterial infection complications is to get a yearly influenza vaccination.

The recent research looks promising for the development of a universal vaccine against multiple strains of influenza. However, until this universal vaccine is developed, preventing the flu and protecting your immune system by hand washing and getting your annual influenza vaccine is recommended.

The post Influenza: The Universal Vaccine? appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

The research from the Epidemiologists with UC’s Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study has found that children exposed to high levels of second-hand smoke are at a much greater risk of decreased lung function by the age of 7 (compared to children who had not developed any sensitivity by this age.)The numbers were shocking, in fact, with the research showing that lung function among girls was six times worse than in boys who were exposed to similar levels of secondhand smoke.

This is the first study of its kind to explore the specific effects of secondhand smoke exposure on genders, especially those of young people (and using an internal biomarker for secondhand smoke).

The studies prior, estimated that secondhand smoke exposure during younger years has also been associated with respiratory illness, decreased lung function and asthma development/exacerbation.

One of the authors of the study, Kelly Brunst, commented on the findings, saying, “our study shows that the timing of allergic sensitization is crucial because children who are sensitized by age 2 are more likely to suffer the greatest lung deficits during childhood as a result of secondhand smoke exposure.”

The research is quick to point out, that these conclusions were not reached until the child has reached approximately age 4, which really brings to light how important the lung development of young people is.

The Effects of Second Hand Smoke on Kids

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has concluded that exposure to secondhand smoke can cause lung cancer in adults who do not smoke. In fact, the EPA estimates that exposure to secondhand smoke causes approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths per year in nonsmokers.

There are Serious Health Risks to Children from Second Hand Smoke

Children are particularly sensitive to the effects of secondhand smoke because they are still developing physically, have higher breathing rates than adults. Children exposed to high doses of secondhand smoke run a much higher risk of experiencing damaging health effects. Here is a list of some of the dangerous effects of second hand smoke:

1) It can cause asthma in children who have not previously exhibited symptoms of asthma

2) Infants and children under 6 who are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk of lower respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis.

3) Middle ear infections are more common in kids who breathe second hand smoke

The study in question followed infants who all had parents that were known to have allergies. They were studied up until about age 7.

The post Second Hand Smoke – The Gender Effect appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Your Immune System and Allergic Reactions

The main job of your immune system is to protect your body from viruses and bacteria that you’re exposed to. In individuals that are prone to allergic reactions the antibody IgE that is part of the immune system is overly reactive meaning that it attacks substances that aren’t harmful. These substances are referred to as “allergens”. IgE antibodies cause the body to suffer allergic reactions when its’ exposed to these allergens. Common substances that cause allergic reactions are: pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander, cockroach feces, and many others. Additionally, exposure to environment irritants can also trigger an asthma attack. Common irritants include cigarette smoke, dust, strong chemicals and perfumes, cold air and air pollution. Common symptoms of allergic reactions include sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes. If you suffer from asthma, many of these allergens and irritants may trigger an asthma attack. It is important to take preventative measures to avoid having a potentially serious asthma attack.

RELATED READING: The Down Low on Cigarette Alternatives

Preventing Asthma Naturally

If you suffer from allergies and asthma, there are a number of preventative steps you can take to reduce your chance of exposure to allergens and irritants, including:

1. Stay away from cigarette smoke – this is the most important preventative step that you can take as cigarette smoke is a serious trigger for most people with asthma

2. Keep furry pets out of your home

3. Use mattress and pillow covers to reduce exposure to dust mites

4. Replace carpet with hardwood, laminate or an easy to clean floor covering

5. Vacuum your home regularly

6. If you have mold in your home, get it removed

7. Keep the humidity level in your home between 35-50%

8. Fix leaks in your home as leaks allow mold to form

9. Pay attention to air quality readings and limit your time outdoors if the air quality is poor

10. Use unscented personal hygiene and cleaning products

Some of these preventative tips require effort and money to correct, but they will be worth it in the long run if you or a loved one suffers from allergic asthma.

Normal immune system responses are vital in protecting you against serious infection however, if your immune system is overly reactive it can cause you to suffer from allergic reactions. If these allergic reactions cause you to suffer an asthma attack, you are potentially at risk of serious problems. It is therefore important that you take preventative measures to avoid substances and situations that may trigger a reaction. By utilizing the preventative recommendations mentioned in this article, you will be minimizing your risk of suffering from a serious asthma attack

The post Taking Charge of Your Asthma Attacks appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

- Diethylene glycol (an ingredient most commonly used in antifreeze) was detected in some e-cigarettes.

-Certain tobacco-specific nitrosamines (considered to be human carcinogens) were detected in half of the samples that were tested.

-Probably most surprisingly, the electronic cigarette cartridges that were labeled as containing no nicotine still had low levels of nicotine present in all cartridges tested (except for one).

Most companies that produce e-cigarettes claim that the cartridges contain only water vapor, small amounts of nicotine and propylene glycol – (a substance seen in stage shows that is used to create fake smoke)

RELATED ARTICLE: The Effects of Smoking on Your Skin

So clearly with the controversy surrounding e-cigarettes, there needs to be a better alternative to quitting smoking. While in a perfect world, people would be able to just not partake in the habit at all (also known as cold turkey quitting). In the meantime, a few natural alternatives to consider:

Quit Smoking the Natural Way

1. Try flavored toothpicks. A safe and healthy way to distract yourself from the habit, and still mimic the motion of smoking. Flavored toothpicks come in a wide assortment of flavors—from cinnamon and tea tree to peppermint and spearmint.

2. Throw away your nicotine gum, and pick up some sugarless gum. Chewing on sugarless gum can be a healthy substitute for cigarette smoking. It can satisfy the craving for having something in your mouth, and it can even keep the acidity in your mouth balanced, too.

3. Chocolate, well dark chocolate anyways. Cigarettes obviously contain nicotine, which increases the levels of dopamine in your brain. Dopamine leads to feelings of joy, pleasure and satisfaction. Dark chocolate is known to increase dopamine levels, which can trigger the same feelings of pleasure that cigarette smoking can.

4. Get moving. More often than not, you probably smoke whenever you feel stressed. Taking up some exercise, even light exercise, can prove to be an easy way to stop smoking by helping you to relax and release tension. Less tension, could curb your “need” for cigarettes.

With e-cigarettes being called into question, realizing that there are other, healthier, alternatives becomes very important. While this “miracle” e-cigarette idea might not be all it’s cracked up to be, there are other ways to quit smoking. The list of alternatives might not be a quick fix, but can at least get you heading in the right direction.

The post The Down Low on Cigarette Alternatives appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

The Damage Smoking Causes

1. Poor wound healing – in order for tissue to heal, it requires oxygen. Smoking causes vasoconstriction (tightening) of the blood vessels that supply the skin. This results in decreased blood flow, in turn leading to decreased oxygenation of the skin. Decreased oxygenation leads to slower repair of tissue damage.

 RELATED READING: Why Can’t I Quit Smoking?

2. Wrinkles and Sagging Skin – smoking speeds up the normal aging process because of decreased oxygen to the skin which can lead to wrinkles and skin sagging. This damage can be seen in the face, particularly around the eyes and lips and in other body parts such as the inner arms and breasts. The chemicals that are found in cigarettes can also cause collagen and elastin damage. Collagen and elastin are responsible for keeping the skin strong and elastic.

3. Poor skin tone – because your skin is deprived of oxygen, it can affect the tone of your skin. Many smokers appear pale while others have uneven skin tone.

4. Discolouration of Fingers –fingers may become stained from the tobacco in cigarettes over time.

5. Psoriasis – there is a positive association between smoking and the development of psoriasis. Psoriasis causes dry, scaly patches on skin surfaces (usually the elbows, knees, scalp, hands, feet and/or back)

There is good news – if you quit smoking, you can improve your appearance! With smoking cessation, there is improved blood flow to the skin which means your skin will get the oxygen and nutrients that it needs. Ex-smokers can use creams that contain antioxidants to help improve the existing skin damage. There are also cosmetic procedures that can be done to help with the skin damage that occurred as the result of smoking. However, these procedures are dramatic and quite costly so home cream remedies may be the best option for most people.

Smoking and the Aging Process

Among all of the health conditions that can be attributed to smoking, it also speeds up the aging process, making you look older before your time. If all of the health risks don’t scare you enough to quit smoking perhaps old-looking, wrinkly, sagging skin will make you think twice about quitting. In addition to skin damage that occurs from smoking, damage to your hair and teeth can also add years to how you look. If you’ve decided to quit smoking there are many resources available for smoking cessation. Speak with your medical professional to learn about smoking cessation programs and medications available.

The post The Effects of Smoking on Your Skin appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

The History of Chinese Medicine

Rhubarb (Rheum palmatum L.) is an herbal Chinese medicine that has been historically used in Asia for the treatment of liver disorders. Rhubarb has also been used as a preventative herb against problems in digestion. The leaves of the rhubarb plant are known to be poisonous and thus the stalks and roots are the main components included in herbal concoctions. Despite its long history of use, there is a growing concern regarding the safety of specific components used in Chinese medicine.

In a recent report published in the journal Public Library of Science (PLoS), the effects of the herbal Chinese medicine rhubarb was examined in experimental rats with liver injuries. The scientists involved in the study wanted to address two major questions— What is the optimal dose of rhubarb that would result in a preventative effect in liver disease in rats? And, will higher doses of rhubarb produce damage to the liver of the experimental rats?

RELATED INFORMATION: Worried About Your Heart?
This is Information You Need To Know.

The research study involved administering rhubarb extracts to two groups of rats for approximately three months. One group was previously treated with carbon tetrachloride, a chemical that was known to induce liver damage upon chronic exposure. The other group consisted of healthy, normal rats, thus devoid of liver and any other organ damage. In addition, four different rhubarb extract dosages (2.0, 5.4, 14.7, and 40 g/kg) were given to the rats in order to monitor its possible preventative effect based on the amount of the extract introduced.

After three months of treatment, the liver tissues were examined for any signs of tissue and cellular injury. The results of the study showed that the two lowest rhubarb dosages, 2.0 and 5.4 g/kg, showed a lower degree of cellular injury even after inducing damage using carbon tetrachloride, suggesting that the rhubarb extract imparted a preventative effect on liver damage. On the other hand, the higher doses of rhubarb, 14.7 and 40 g/kg, resulted in liver damage in both rat groups. The liver tissues of the rats that were given higher doses of rhubarb showed cell fibrosis, or thickening of the cell wall that might be a response to damaging effects of the high doses of the rhubarb extract.
The results of this experimental study showed that the herbal Chinese medicine rhubarb could potentially serve as a preventative aid against liver damage, yet there is a need to control the dose that is administered. The research study showed that the preventative effect of rhubarb is observed when the experimental rats were given low doses of the herb, whereas harmful damage to the liver can occur with higher amounts.

The use of various types of Chinese medicine could certainly be preventative to different types of medical conditions. However, it is also important to know if a specific herbal component might also induce damage to other organs of the body.

How Chinese Medicine Can Help

Most of the components in Chinese medicine are supported by empirical reports describing its preventative effect against specific diseases. In addition, many of these Chinese medicine concoctions have been used for thousands of years, thus further strengthening its preventative action against various medical conditions, including diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. However, before you start taking any of these products, it would be helpful to look at the components of the product and conduct your own simple research on its positive preventative effects, as well as any potential damage to other organs of the body.

The post Chinese Medicine: Is it Toxic? appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

How an Allergic Reaction Happens

Allergic reactions are considered severe if one’s routine activities are affected. For example, if you can’t come to work because of difficulty in breathing, or your skin breaks out with blotchy red marks, then it is recommended that you see a doctor to give you some specific remedy. Your immune system is the body’s first-line of defense against foreign particles and microorganisms and thus the response of having allergic reactions indicates that you have been exposed to something that is unhealthy for your body. Your immune system is therefore working hard to expel allergens out of your body.

The immune system consists of different white blood cells that are circulating across the entire body, protecting us from foreign bodies that may have entered through the skin, mouth, and nose, to name a few. Once the cells of the immune system identify a foreign body such as a virus or bacteria, it produces molecules that would destroy it. This natural remedy is quite effective and in a few days the pathogen is destroyed. These cells can also produce antibodies that would mark microorganisms and allowing other immune cells to help in its destruction.

The Frequency of Allergic Reactions

According to a recent medical report published in Asia Pacific Allergy, allergic reactions are more frequent in individuals who are deficient in vitamin D. According to the report, cases of allergic reactions have increased in the last few years due to the deterioration of air quality and pollution. Approximately 25% of the North American society suffers from allergic reactions and thus the search for a remedy against this public health issue is needed.

Interestingly, the report describes that disorders involving the immune system, such as allergic reactions, were associated with low vitamin D levels. This vitamin may serve as asupport for the immune system. Vitamin D is produced in our bodies especially during sun exposure, but the rapidly changing environment across the globe has resulted in modifications in our lifestyles. For example, the increase in population has resulted in air pollution, thus making people spend most of the day indoors. When a person receives less sun exposure and thus produces less vitamin D, this individual becomes more prone to infection and disorders to the immune system, such as allergic reactions.

The Effect of Diet on Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions are common disorders of the immune system, yet when these conditions are not treated with an effective remedy, it is possible that the quality of life of the affected person will deteriorate. Severe allergies can also influence work and studies, preventing an individual from performing his or her best on a daily basis. As remedy to support one’s immune system, it is important to consume nutritious meals every day, including fruits and vegetables that contain fiber and vitamins. A healthy diet can support good health and the immune system. Vitamin D can help to support a healthy immune system. Not only will this simple remedy boost the immune system but enhance one’s daily activities as well.

The post Could Your Allergies Be Out of Control? appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Unfortunately, antibiotics have been vastly overused and this has led to antibiotic resistance; rendering many antibiotics either ineffective or not as effective as they use to be.   This is extremely problematic because serious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, gonorrhea and childhood ear infections are now much more difficult to treat than they were 30 years ago.  In addition, critically ill patients in the hospital are experiencing immune system collapses because they are unable to fight off infections due to antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic resistance is not merely a product of direct consumption; we are exposed to antibiotics every time we eat non organic produce. In order to keep up with the extremely high demand for meat and poultry, farmers have started mass producing these animals, in environments that predispose them to disease. The farmers routinely feed their livestock antibiotics in order to prevent them from getting sick, and to increase their growth rate.  This practice is so widespread that an estimated 13.2 million Kg of antibiotics are sold annually to poultry and livestock industries, which equates to a whopping 80 percent of all antibiotic sales in the U.S..

Fluoroquinolones is a broad spectrum antibiotic reserved for the treatment of severe bacterial infections and preventing the bacteria from causing permanent bodily damage.  It is a powerful drug and one of the few antibiotics that the human immune system has not yet built-up a resistance to. In attempt to preserve the efficacy of the Fluoroquinolones, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned its use in livestock’s, in 2005. Despite this ban, a recent study published in the March 21st edition of Environmental Science & Technology Journal reveals that these antibiotics are still widely in use by the poultry industry.

The study was conducted by researchers at Arizona State University and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The researchers examined feather meal, acquired from six U.S. states, as well as from China. Feather meal is made from poultry feathers and examining them allowed the scientists to decipher which drugs the poultry may have been given before their slaughter.   All of the 12 samples which were tested contained between 2 and 10 antimicrobials, amongst other harmful residues such as acetaminophen, caffeine and the prescription antidepressant Prozac. What’s more 8 out of the 12 samples contained fluoroquinolones and according to the lead researcher, David Love, PhD, “The discovery of certain antibiotics in feather meal strongly suggests the continued use of these drugs, despite the ban put in place in 2005 by the FDA.” This is extremely dangerous because humans may very well become resistant to this important antibiotic through continuous consumption of poultry and will thereby be rendered powerless to the damage caused by bacterial infections.

The post Understanding the Chicken Scandal appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Proper diet is of the utmost importance when it comes to keeping healthy, especially during flu season. Let’s explore some of the most common foods associated with flu prevention. It might be easier than you think to prevent an untimely illness this year.

Chicken Soup
This one is obvious. Hot chicken soup helps to clear clogged airways, and the broth (while in some cases high in sodium) will give you more energy. Add plenty of vegetables (garlic in particular) for extra healing power , and hopefully, flu prevention.

Spicy Peppers
This can include chili peppers or any type of spicy sauce. A good way to incorporate this into your regular meal schedule is to cook certain types of spicy ethnic food a couple of times a week. Spicy peppers have been shown to help unclog sinuses and provide some relief.

Almonds
This popular nut is a good source of vitamin E, which is a disease-fighting antioxidant. Grab a handful for your mid-afternoon snack or use them to flavor main dishes. Antioxidants are very important during cold and flu season as a preventative.

Citrus Fruit
The boost of Vitamin C is helpful when it comes to flu prevention. This one should be easy to incorporate. Drink orange juice for breakfast, snack on half a grapefruit, or add tangerine slices to a lunchtime salad.

Ginger
Many people find fresh ginger root helps treat the coughing and fever that often accompany colds and flu. Try making a ginger tea: Pour a cup of boiling water over 2 tablespoons of freshly grated ginger and let it steep for 5 to 10 minutes.

Sweet Potatoes
Not unlike carrots, sweet potatoes contain beta carotene, a nutrient that is converted to vitamin A in the body and has been shown to help fight respiratory infections. Try to incorporate sweet potatoes into your soups, salads and side dishes for flu prevention.

Garlic
This fragrant bulb contains a flavoring agent called alliin which acts as a decongestant. Garlic is also believed to act as an antioxidant and destroy free-radicals, the active oxygen molecules that damage cells, so add garlic liberally to your favorite foods.

As you can see, when it comes to the flu, it isn’t all about stocking up on over the counter cold and flu medications and tissues. Your diet plays a large role in the possibility of acquiring the flu.

While these foods are widely considered to be some of the best in terms of flu prevention, nutritionists say that any food containing vitamins A, C and E are key when it comes to boosting immunity and preventing the flu.

The post Top Foods for Flu Prevention appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

The study which was published in the February 2012 edition of the Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Journal, found that growing up on a farm results in immune system alterations that reduces an individual’s risk for developing allergies and allergic reactions. According to lead researcher Dr. Marie Lewis:

“Many large-scale epidemiological studies have suggested that growing up on a farm is linked to a reduced likelihood of developing allergic disease. However, until now, it has not been possible to demonstrate direct cause and effect: does the farm environment actively protect against allergies, or are allergy-prone families unlikely to live on farms?”

The Study

The study was conducted on piglets because they contain many of the same genetics, immunity functions, metabolic mechanisms and physiological aspects as humans. There were two sets of piglets; the first of which was nursed by their mothers and reared on a farm. Their siblings on the other hand, were fed formula milk and spent their early life in an extremely hygienic isolator unit, in order to mirror the sterile lifestyle and environment that human babies are most often raised in.

According to the study, the piglets raised on the farm demonstrated a reduced antibody response to novel food proteins when they were weaned. In other words, they were less likely to experience allergic reactions to a common food allergen. The researchers concluded that early-life exposure to certain environmental components of farms, positively impacts regulatory mechanisms of the immune system and thereby helps to reduce the risk for developing allergies.

The Science

The researchers found that the farm-raised piglets had a reduced number of stimulatory T-lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) in their intestinal tissues. This is significant because T-lymphocytes are the immune cells that fuel the immune system responses that ultimately cause allergic reactions. The farm raised piglets also had higher numbers of regulatory T-cells, which are a subgroup of T-lymphocytes that reduce inflammation and regulate the immune system. More specifically, regulatory T-cells help to prevent an over-reaction by the immune system and immune disorders such as allergies are thought to be caused, at least in part, by low amounts of the regulatory T-cells.

Conclusion

More research needs to be done in order to determine the exact way in which farm living works as a preventative measure against the development of allergies. Previous research has found that intestinal bacteria (acquired in infancy) play a pivotal role in the development of a healthy immune system and perhaps the farm environment allowed for a greater flourishing of the beneficial bacteria. The researchers at Bristol’s School of Veterinary Science speculates that factors such as aerial contaminants, antigens from bedding, social and maternal interactions and early nutrition may also have played a preventative role in the development of allergies in the farm raised piglets. Whatever the explanation, Dr. Lewis and her research associates are optimistic that further investigations will eventually lead to a way to prevent not only allergies, but all types of immune system disorders.

The post Country Life: The Way it Reduces Your Risk of Allergies. appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Almost any substance can provoke allergic reactions, and identifying personal allergens is vital, in order to keep symptoms under control and prevent further damage to your health. Unfortunately, the two most commonly used methods of detecting allergies are outdated and often yield false results. In fact, two leading allergists– Robert Wood of the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center and Scott Sicherer of Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York, are now advising all Doctors to avoid using these two traditional allergy tests as a stand-alone means of diagnosis.

Skin Prick and Allergy Blood Test Basics

Most allergic reactions are thought to be caused by the activation of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in response to a substance that the individual’s body has identified as harmful.

The skin prick test involves pricking the skin with minute amounts of an allergen and noting how the skin reacts. If a hive-like wheal at the injection site appears, it shows that the individual’s immune system has created IgE antibodies in response to that substance, and it is supposedly indicative of an allergy. Allergy blood tests, on the other hand, involve withdrawing blood and measuring the levels of specific IgE antibodies that are circulating within it. There are many problems with these two types of tests however.

Why These Tests are Futile

According to Wood and Sicherer in the January 2012 issue of Pediatrics Journal, the activation of IgE antibodies merely indicates sensitivity to that substance; it does not necessarily mean that there is an actual allergy to it. In fact, many patients who test positive to substances during the skin prick or blood test do not actually demonstrate any allergic reactions when exposed to the allergen outside of the clinic. According to past research, false positives are so common that up to 8% of children test positive for peanut allergies when given the skin prick or blood test, and yet only 1% of them demonstrate any clinical symptoms.

Another problem with these tests is that they have no way of foretelling what type of allergic reactions a person will experience, nor do they reveal how severe the allergy actually is, which could leave a severely allergic individual extremely vulnerable to extreme or even fatal allergic reactions. In addition, skin prick and blood tests are unable to detect antibodies to medications and are therefore useless when it comes to the detection of drug allergies. Additionally, certain medications, such as tricyclic antidepressants as well as corticosteroids, can prevent an IgE reaction from occurring and an individual’s allergy may remain undetected when given these two tests. Furthermore, commercial tests vary in sensitivity and different laboratories may interpret test results in different ways, possibly yielding very dissimilar results.

Finally, food sensitivities and food allergies are becoming increasingly common in North America, and the blood test and skin prick test are particularly ineffective at detecting them. According to allergy specialist L. DuBuske, the accuracy of skin food tests in predicting food allergies can be as low as 50%. Moreover, when it comes to food sensitivities, the blood test and prick test are pretty much useless because food sensitivities do not provoke an IgE response. Instead, consuming a food that you are sensitive to causes your immune system to create an overabundance of IgG antibodies and the blood test and skin prick test do not measure IgG levels.

Conclusion

As mentioned earlier, it is extremely important that allergies are accurately diagnosed. Continuous exposure to an unidentified allergen, can not only wear out and damage your immune system, it can also damage your overall health and diminish your vitality. Unfortunately, when it comes to detecting environmental allergies, there aren’t currently any tests which yield more reliable results. However, when it comes to food allergies, you should talk to your doctor about undergoing a food challenge, which is considered the gold standard for diagnosis. Finally, if you suspect that you have food sensitivities, talk to your healthcare practitioner about having an ELISA test done, or consider following an elimination diet; both of which can help you to identify the offending foods.

The post Ineffective Ways Your Allergies Are Being Tested appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

As a preventative measure to allergic reactions, several medications are now available in the market. Some of these preventative schemes involve the control of the production of histamines, which are nitrogen-based compounds that are released by our cells when exposed to specific seasonal factors that cause allergic reactions. For example, pollen and dust can be cause allergic reactions to certain people, whereas pet hair from dogs and cats can trigger a response in others.

There are also preventative drugs that facilitate the widening of the blood vessels of the pulmonary system, helping a person with seasonal allergic reactions to breathe better. These preventative drugs are also administered to people with asthma and other allergic reactions to external factors.

For some individuals, air filters also lessen the presence of particulate matter in the air that could cause seasonal allergic reactions. This mechanical preventative measure is often installed in homes, offices, and other establishments, with the expectation that these tiny particles are caught within the mesh of fibers of the filters, instead of being inhaled by individuals present in the area.

Now if you adapt all these preventative measures against seasonal allergic reactions, will these totally result in better pulmonary breathing? A recent study published in the journal PLoS ONE showed that there are certain inconspicuous acts that may increase the risk for developing allergies and thus do not increase the preventative effect on pain or fever. In the scientific report, the use of paracetamol was shown to be associated with a higher predisposition to allergies. Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is an analgesic drug that is commonly used as a preventative measure for headaches and fever. Paracetamol has arguably been considered to be a safe drug, with some claims allowing it to be administered to children and pregnant women.

The study involved monitoring more than 1,000 pregnant women for three years, including collecting information on seasonal allergies and the frequency of intake of paracetamol. Common examples of seasonal allergies consisted of eczema and hay fever, which are caused by allergens in the environment. The study was performed in Ethiopia, which is a developing country that would most likely involve the simplest preventative measures for treating pain and fever. In addition, the Ethiopia-based study also removes the impact of air pollution caused by automotive and factory effluents, which are also known to produce pulmonary disorders in exposed individuals. The inclusion of pregnant women also removes the effects of taking other medications, since these study participants are generally unable to take other drugs during pregnancy.

The report showed that the study participants often take paracetamol as a preventative medication for pain and headache, unknowing that this act could increase the occurrence of seasonal allergies. In addition, paracetamol is a very cheap medication that can easily be procured even in a developing country. However, the study showed that a higher frequency of paracetamol exposure was associated with a greater incidence of seasonal allergies, thus showing that the use of this medication is not a total preventative measure for relief. The study has also mentioned that aside from paracetamol, aspirin has also been reported to increase the risk for developing asthma and seasonal allergies. So if you are contemplating on taking a couple of Tylenol caplets for your headache that is associated with seasonal allergies, this preventative measure is proving not to be as effective as originally thought.

The post Allergies: Are You Making it Worse? appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

These are words too often spoken in my office:

Quitting smoking can be incredibly difficult. Why? Because smoking is a habit intimately linked to an addiction to nicotine. Tobacco contains this addictive chemical which is carried with each puff into the lungs and arrives in the brain within seconds. Once in the brain, the nicotine binds to brain cells, 1,2  releasing  an essential chemical called dopamine. The dopamine in turn causes the feeling of pleasure. However, when you try to quit smoking, the decrease of nicotine in the brain causes the dopamine levels in the pleasure center to drop resulting in nicotine withdrawal symptoms such as depression, cravings, anger and a difficulty concentrating.

Consciously or not, smokers trying to quit return to cigarettes to escape these unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.  When asked, “Do you want to stop smoking?”, the answer is obvious. Unfortunately, without help, most smokers will make an average of five unsuccessful attempts before they manage to quit.

We all recognize that cigarettes are bad for your health. Each puff delivers 4000 + chemicals including 69 chemicals known to cause cancer.  Smoking is killing you!  In fact, smoking increases the incidence of cancer, heart and lung disease, gum disease, osteoporosis, premature aging of the skin, and early death.

It only makes sense that a majority of smokers want to stop.

In treating my smoking patients, I have found one ingredient to provide great benefit –

N-acetylcysteine (NAC). I am not the only one finding that NAC provides help in smoking cessation. A 2011 study in the European Addiction Research Journal had similar results.5 In the study heavy smokers were given either 3,600mg of NAC or a placebo each day, and asked to quit smoking.  They were told to report their nicotine cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and the number of cigarettes smoked while trying to quit. During the study, there was a statistical trend towards fewer withdrawal symptoms. In addition, smokers found the first cigarette after abstinence to be far less rewarding when taking NAC.

This builds upon earlier research which found that NAC can decrease cravings associated with addictive habits such as cocaine use, cigarettes smoking and pathological gambling. This ability to help combat addiction is thought to be linked to NACs ability to restore glutamate concentrations. Glutamate is a chemical in the brain associated with relapse and addiction. By restoring normal levels of glutamate, NAC may be helping to break the cycle of addiction.

Combined with other proven smoking cessation techniques, NAC in tablet form is an essential part of my program helping patients quit smoking. While NAC is not a magic bullet, it can provide that extra boost that many people need to finally quit.

The post Why Can’t I Quit Smoking? appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Germs are all around you and if you want to have a healthy immune system that is able to fight off infections such as the cold and flu, you should avoid many germy public places. When you’re in the comfort of your own home you’re able to keep germs at bay. Utilizing preventative measures you can ensure your home is clean and free of germs that can wreak havoc on your immune system. Below some of the most germy public places are exposed. Preventative steps to avoid exposure to these places will also be looked at.

Restaurant Menus

When you go to a restaurant and the waiter hands you a menu, you probably don’t even think twice, but you should. When was the last time that you saw a menu being disinfected? Cold and flu bugs can live on hard surfaces for up to 18 hours. Busy restaurants serve hundreds of customers per day. Chances are that some of their customers are suffering from the cold and flu and now they’re passing their germs (unknowingly) on to you. The catch – you need to look at the menu in order to place your order. So, the best thing to do is to wash your hands immediately after you place your order and hand the menu back to your server. Also as an added preventative measure, be sure that the menu doesn’t touch your napkin or utensils.

The Lemon Wedge on your drink…

You order a glass or water or a fancy drink and it comes to the table with a lemon or lime wedge. While this may look pretty, the fruit slices are more than likely harboring a number of germs, including those that cause the cold and flu. As a preventative measure, ask your server for your drink minus the fancy fruit decorations.

Condiment Containers…and salt and pepper shakers

Just like the menus, the condiment containers found in restaurants are sure to be full of cold and flu germs from previous customers. As a preventative step, before you grab hold of the container, wipe it down with a disinfectant wipe or use hand sanitizer after using it. Don’t hold a napkin to use the container because napkins are porous and allow the germs to pass through.

Public Hand Soap Dispensers

About 25% of all public soap dispensers have some level of fecal bacteria on them. When you’re in a public restroom, make sure you use hot water and scrub your hands for 15-20 seconds. Use a paper towel to dry your hands and as a preventative measure, use the same paper towel to turn the tap off to avoid contact with contaminated tap handles.

Restroom Door Handles

You may like to believe that everyone who uses the restroom is just as cautious as you are when it comes to washing your hands, but in truth, not everyone is. The restroom door handles can be loaded with germs that will negatively affect your immune system. Use a paper towel to open the door after using the rest room as a preventative step to keep the cold and flu away.

Grocery Cart Handles

Grocery cart handles are contaminated with fecal bacteria as well as germs that cause the cold and flu. As a preventative precaution, many grocery stores now provide disinfectant wipes in the same area where you pick your cart up. Grab a wipe and clean off the handle of the cart before you start your grocery shopping.

ATM Machines

The buttons on ATM machines are yet another culprit for germs. As a way to help your immune system, use disinfectant liquid after using these machines.

Gas Pump Handles

You’ve probably never seen a gas station attendant cleaning the pump handles and every day numerous people are touching the pump handles. As a precaution, use hand sanitizer after filling up. Or, if you’re lucky enough to be close to a full-serve station, opt for that. It may cost a few cents more, but your immune system will thank you.

Escalator Railings and Elevator Buttons

You need to go “up” or “down” whether you’re at the mall, at a hotel or in an apartment building. These surfaces are rarely cleaned and harbor all sorts of germs. Avoid touching the escalator handrails and if you have to press the elevator buttons, use your elbow instead of your hand. Or, even better – use the stairs!

It’s virtually impossible to avoid germs all together, and not all germs are necessarily bad for you. However, the areas mentioned above encompass areas with an abundance of harmful germs which will make your immune system unhappy. Being aware of your surroundings and using preventative steps to ensure you avoid harmful germs will help you to stay healthy.

The post The Most Shocking Germy Public Places. appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Tops threats

• Your hands: we have all heard how washing hands is a good preventative measure when it comes to cold and flu. Health officials across the country say the same applies if you want to avoid contaminating your food. Although it makes common sense, nurses who still visit schools say they see children and teachers picking up their food with dirty hands all the time, putting their immune system to the test.

• Sponge or cloth: germs such as salmonella and e-coli collect on your kitchen sponge or cleaning cloth. Studies have shown that over 100 different types of germs, including those associated with mold and yeast can be found on kitchen sponges so replace them at least every 2 weeks and clean them regularly. One way to sterilize them is to microwave them for 2 minutes.

• Cooking temperature: the more you cook something the less likely it is to have bacteria in it and thus the less likely you are to compromise your immune system.

• Cutting boards: cooked food, fresh fruit, and vegetables can get contaminated if you place them on a cutting board that was used for uncooked meats and fish. A good preventative measure would be to use separate cutting boards for meat/fish/produce/ and cooked foods.

• Drains: Bacteria like moist areas to hide away in so drains are full of bacteria. They can be cleaned out with some baking soda and a little scrubbing with an old toothbrush.

• Fridge temperature: to avoid cold and flu like symptoms or worse ailments, make sure your refrigerator doesn’t dip below 40 degrees F. The colder temperature slows the growth of bacteria.

There are other threats that you bring into the kitchen. For example, many consumers like to shop with reusable grocery bags; however, tests have shown that bacteria can build up in the cloth or plastic and contaminate your next purchase so make sure you wash those bags after each trip to the market. Another preventative tactic is to keep raw meat, fish, and poultry away from the ready to eat food in your grocery cart.

According to studies on food borne illness, the majority of kitchen germs cause a cold and flu like reaction. Often time’s people don’t even know they have a food borne sickness, they think they have the actual cold and flu. Doctors say sometimes germs weaken the immune system so that the body can’t fight off any annoying viruses that are going around.

Preventative steps such as the ones outlined above can go a long way in keeping your kitchen clean and safe, especially for people who are in a high risk category. High risk includes people who have serious illness or chronic diseases. They have difficulty fighting off food borne illness due to a weakened immune system.

When it comes to buying groceries, storing food, and cleaning your kitchen there are several preventative measures you can take to maintain safety. Government websites like Health Canada provide detailed information on food storage, cooking, and defrosting. Preventative health messages are also posted at www.befoodsafe.ca, including information about food recalls in Canada.

Food experts agree that a little care in the kitchen can keep you germ free and that means the cold and flu, as well as serious illness can be held at bay.

The post Avoiding Germ Threats in Your Kitchen appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Change your Diet

For effective immune system support, eat a diet that is rich in antioxidant foods. Many fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants. Next, choose healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fatty fish, flax seed and krill oil. Adding garlic and ginger to your diet will also help to naturally boost your immunity. Stay hydrated….with water!

Water is necessary for your body to function properly and to keep your immune system in top form. If you don’t consume enough water your body will become fatigued, your skin may become dry, you may start to suffer with headaches and this may leave your body in a state where it is unable to fight off illnesses including the flu.

Adding Herbs and Supplements to your Diet

While research has been inconclusive on whether Vitamin C can improve immunity, there is research that has shown that this vitamin can help to reduce the number of colds a person gets. The catch here is that it needs to be taken regularly, not just when you start to feel a cold coming on. Herbs such as Echinacea and elderberry help to reduce the duration of your cold symptoms. Taking these at the first sign of a cold make help to reduce the time that you suffer.

Eliminate Allergens

The first step to eliminating food allergens is to determine what foods you are allergic or intolerant to. This can be done by visiting an allergist or a naturopath. Once the allergen is identified, the allergist or naturopath will help you to desensitize yourself or help you to eliminate it from your diet all together. Once these allergens are removed from your system, your immune system will be able to function properly and focus on killing germs such as the seasonal flu.

Take Part in Regular Exercise

Moderate exercise, such as brisk walking for 20 to 30 minutes a day, can help to mobilize your white blood cells. These cells are responsible for guarding against infections such as the seasonal flu.

Reduce Exposure to Environmental Toxins

One of the best preventative steps that you can take for your health in general is to limit your exposure to toxins in the environment. Exposure to pollution in the air, cigarette smoke, cleaning products, etc. for prolonged periods of time will stress your immune system. A stressed immune system will leave you more susceptible to illnesses such as the seasonal flu. Try to buy environmentally friendly and natural cleaning products to decrease your exposure to toxic chemicals. While they may be a little more expensive than traditional cleaning products, it’s an easy preventative measure that you can take to protect yourself.

Learn to Cope with Stress

While occasional stress can actually help to build your immune system, chronic stress can suppress your immune system. For some individuals, stress is seasonal – for example, some people experience more stress around the holidays while others have more stress around tax time, etc. A preventative step that you can take is to learn how to deal with the stress in an appropriate way. Suggestions to deal with stress include meditation, yoga, physical activity, or speaking with a counsellor, etc.

Wash your Hands!

One of the easiest and most cost-effective preventative measures to stop the spread of illnesses, such as the seasonal flu is to wash your hands. It may seem simple, but many people do not practice effective hygiene routines such as hand washing.

Get enough sleep

Another preventative measure to avoid getting sick is to get a full 8 hours of sleep. In addition to feeling more rested and alert, it will help to stabilize your immune system.

Get an Adjustment

Another preventative measure to help boost your immunity naturally is to visit a chiropractor. Your nervous system is what is responsible for proper functioning of your immune system. A chiropractic adjustment will help to restore normal functioning of your nervous system allowing it to function properly to help fight against illnesses such as the seasonal flu. “Maintenance” chiropractic care means preventative care – you regularly visit your chiropractor for adjustments, even when you don’t have pain. This natural approach to health care is another preventative step that you can take to ensure your immune system is functioning at its’ highest potential year-round.

These suggestions will help you to naturally improve your immune system. Even if you follow some of the tips, you will likely notice an improvement in your resistance to infection.

The post Boost Your Immunity the Natural Way appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

There is evidence that shows honey can fight bacteria and be used as a preventative measure when it comes to certain illnesses. Researchers at the University of Ottawa have found benefits in using honey for health. They say sinusitis for example; can damage the membranes in the sinus cavities by making them inflamed, causing a stuffy nose, sinus pain and headaches. The positive news… tests with honey proved to kill the bacteria causing the sinusitis.

During the study, the Ottawa researchers tested two honeys; Manuka made from tea tree bushes in New Zealand and Sidr from the Sidr tree in Yemen. They singled out two types of bacteria and discovered that honey not only was effective in killing the bacteria, it worked better than antibiotics. Their data showed that Sidr honey was 91 per cent effective in killing one type of bacteria.

This isn’t the only study that has come up with positive results. Researchers in the United Kingdom discovered that Manuka honey was effective in fighting 3 kinds of bacteria that tend to infect wounds. They see this as a preventative breakthrough in the spread of infection. The scientists involved in this study believe the honey’s preventative ability comes from the fact that it will not allow microbial growth. They are going as far as to say that it may even be able to reverse resistance to some antibiotics. More research is underway looking at both curative and preventative possibilities.

Scientists have been studying how honey works on the human body; how damage to the human body can be repaired by this sticky substance that we normally eat. So far what they’ve discovered is that Manuka honey keeps some bacteria from being able to attach themselves to tissue. It also prevents bacteria from forming biofilms, which germs commonly use as protection against antibiotics.

Nutritionists confirm that honey contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes that can nourish the body and boost the immune system. We seem to hear more now about people having immune system problems. This can be attributed to not getting enough of the right vitamins and minerals, so it comes as no surprise to researchers that people who consume honey on a regular basis have reported an improvement in their immune system. When your immune system is not functioning properly it can lead to all kinds of health problems. Many issues related to the immune system are difficult for doctors to treat.

The common flu is also a sign of a weak immune system. Even though the cold and flu is a virus, studies show honey can help attack respiratory infections caused by bacteria. When some people are suffering from cold and flu they put honey in their tea in an attempt to boost their immune system, and as a preventive measure. Flu sufferers have also been known to drizzle honey on food items such as fresh fruit. For centuries the Egyptian and Asian cultures have believed that honey can fight flu and colds.

The influence of ancient civilizations is obvious. A trip to your local market or pharmacy is proof of that. You will find preventative health products made with honey, products that focus on the immune system and items that are sold to fight the common cold and flu. A few examples are listed below:

• Honey throat lozenges
• Hot honey liquid drinks
• Honey throat sprays
• Honey lemon liquid Cold & Flu

Doctors warn parents that infants under the age of one shouldn’t be given honey because it has the potential be become toxic in their underdeveloped intestinal tract and can cause serious damage or death.

Researchers and nutritionists are also sending out a warning: Don’t treat wounds with commercially sold honey. Unlike medical-grade honey, store-bought honey could have spores or microbes in it that could make the infection worse; causing more damage to your body.

Superbugs

Taking preventative measures can keep you from getting sick, but in some cases, especially for those who are already ill, avoiding exposure to superbugs can be hard. Hospital patients who have a weak immune system are already susceptible to superbugs. The damage that superbugs cause can be devastating. Superbugs start with a skin infection and flu symptoms and can turn into pneumonia or a deeper infection that spreads into the bones, lungs or bloodstream. Although hospitals have put preventative policies in place, this type of flu has been known to spread rapidly. Doctors have learned that honey can make superbugs more susceptible to antibiotics. Much more investigation is needed, but right now the thinking is that a combination of antibiotics and honey could be helpful in fighting these superbugs.

Bacterial infections can be serious so they need to be treated carefully. When you have flu like symptoms it is important to seek professional advice. Taking matters into your own hands could cause permanent damage or worse…cause the infection to spread to vital organs. As researchers with the Mayo Clinic have pointed out, honey as a preventative measure along with exercise, proper diet and other professionally approved remedies is okay. They insist a lot more investigation is required to suggest honey can cure serious bacteria related infections.

Teams of scientists around the world seem fascinated with the potential honey presents. They are not only looking at ways honey can repair damage from bacterial infections, but they are examining the use of honey in attacking well-known germs that can cause serious illness such as streptococcus, salmonella, and e-coli.

While honey can’t be considered a cure-all today; with more research, scientists will be able to guide doctors and patients on how to treat the damage done by bacteria, and lead us to more preventative measures that can boost our immune system as a preventative against the flu, and the damage it causes.

The post Fight Bacteria with Something You Use Daily appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

The most common allergens are dust, pollen, animal dander, mold, insect stings, certain foods, medications and latex.

Allergies & Fatigue

In his article “Molds, Mites, and Pollens: Common Causes of Allergic Fatigue,” Ronald Hoffman, M.D., says “over twenty million Americans suffer from hay fever. About ten million are victims of asthma, and another eleven million suffer from skin disorders like eczema, hives, and rashes. Many allergic individuals don’t realize that their unusual fatigue, irritability, and mood swings may be due to seasonal allergic reactions.”

In an interview aired by KSEE24 News, allergist Talal Nsouli, M.D., said, “It’s a disaster when patients are afflicted with these types immune system afflictions. The allergies are affecting their energy; they cannot wake up in the morning; they are late to work; it affects their mood; it causes irritability.”

Nsouli studied 98 patients suffering from seasonal and environmental allergies; 82 per cent of them said they experienced “extreme fatigue and lethargy.” Nsouli says “this is more evidence that when allergens enter the body, chemicals like histamines can actually slow down brain function. So people will not only feel fatigue, they can feel irritable, depressed, and even have symptoms similar to attention deficit disorder. Other studies have even linked seasonal allergies to chronic fatigue syndrome.”

A 2006 study published by the American Medical Association reports that allergic rhinitis (AR) “has been shown to impair quality of life.” The study revealed that “poorly controlled symptoms of AR may also contribute to sleep loss or disturbance, resultant daytime fatigue, and decreased overall cognitive functioning.”

Another study led by Timothy Craig, D.O., associate professor of medicine at Penn State’s College of Medicine, found that fatigue experienced by people with perennial allergies may be the result of nasal congestion and associated sleep fragmentation.

Steven V. Park, M.D., author of Sleep, Interrupted, says “when your nose gets stuffy, your tongue starts to fall back, creating a vacuum effect in your throat, so you keep waking up, because you can’t breathe.”

Allergy Medication

Besides allergies themselves, some over-the-counter allergy medications can cause extreme fatigue and grogginess.

Due to its sedating properties, the antihistamine diphenhydramine hydrochloride, for instance, is also sold as a non-prescription sleep aid and is an ingredient in some night-time cold and pain medications.

When taking sedating antihistamines, studies have shown you may experience greater difficulty functioning than if you were under the influence of alcohol. This can be hard on your immune system.

Alternately, the decongestant pseudoephedrine, found in many allergy formulations, is a stimulant that may cause insomnia. After a night of tossing and turning who wouldn’t be exhausted the next day? This could also wreck havoc on your immune system, and make you sick and tired.

Ways to Prevent Allergy-Related Exhaustion

Craig says people who can breathe easier at night, “have a less interrupted sleep pattern” and “an improved quality of life.”

He found that study subjects who were treated with a topical nasal corticosteroid experienced “improved night-time sleep and reduced daytime fatigue,” and recommends nasal steroids “as the first line of medical therapy in adults having AR with nasal congestion.”

Hoffman recommends taking extra vitamin C after an allergic reaction, as it is a natural antihistamine.

Nasal irrigation is also a drug-free way to reduce allergy symptoms.

Melissa Pynnonen, M.D., Co-Director of the Michigan Sinus Center, says “nasal irrigation can be considered a first-line treatment for common nasal and sinus symptoms, [as] it’s often more effective than medications or can be used in addition to traditional medication.”

Of course, avoiding the allergens that cause your allergies would be best. If you’re allergic to animal dander, ban your pet from the bedroom, vacuum regularly and use an air purifier. If you’re allergic to mold, eliminate it from your home. If certain foods trigger an allergic reaction,

stop eating them. If you’re allergic to pollen, close your windows during allergy season. If you’re allergic to feathers, don’t get a bird and sleep on hypo-allergenic pillows with a feather-free duvet, and so on.

If you are suffering from allergies, but are unsure of the cause, an allergist can help.

The post The Link Between Allergies and Exhaustion appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

THC binds with cannabinoid receptors in the brain, causing reactions across the body depending on where in the brain these receptors are located. The distribution of these receptors is relatively uneven, explaining why most people experience a massive loss of function while others are affected in other ways.

When you smoke marijuana, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and carried into the brain where, depending on the dispersion of the cannabinoid receptors, it will begin to have various effects. Once the user has ceased consuming THC or if the THC has reached its highest saturation point, maximum effects will be noticed by the user which can last up to 2 hours.

But is it really harming you, and how does it affect your lungs?

THC has actually been found to reduce tumor growth in common lung cancer by 50 percent and to significantly reduce the ability of the cancer to spread, say researchers at Harvard University, who tested the chemical in both lab and mouse studies. The researchers have even gone so far to suggest that THC could be used in a targeted fashion to treat lung cancer by interfering with angiogenesis, which promotes cancer growth.

Even very heavy, long-term marijuana users who had smoked more than 22,000 joints over a lifetime seemed to have no greater risk than infrequent marijuana users or nonusers.

The findings surprised the study’s researchers, who expected to see an increase in cancer among people who smoked marijuana regularly in their youth.

Researcher Donald Tashkin, MD, of UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine says, “we know that there are as many or more carcinogens and co-carcinogens in marijuana smoke as in cigarettes, but we did not find any evidence for an increase in cancer risk for even heavy marijuana smoking.”

Marijuana use was associated with cancer risk ratios below 1.0, indicating that a history of pot smoking had no effect on the risk for respiratory cancers. In contrast, tobacco smoking had a 21-fold risk for cancer.

The reality is that the effects of Marijuana are not identical within each individual, and though experimentation or consumption is not encouraged, Dr. Tashkin states that “we can be close to concluding that marijuana smoking by itself does not lead to COPD”.

The post Marijuana’s Effect on Your Lungs appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

Inside houses, shops and automobiles you may find dust, dust mites, animal hair and other  well-known allergens. It can be difficult to get a grip on the dust in your house, and far more difficult to get rid of the microscopic mites that feed off flakes of dead skin within the folds of your bed.

Not long ago, a European study analyzed more than 3,500 samples of dust from homes all across the continent. Researchers checked for how concentrated the levels of dust mites were and then checked out each home to search for factors that influenced the level of dust mite allergens. They found mites in the vast majority of homes, just as any study would find, because the truth is that most of us have dust mites living and breathing somewhere under our roof. They found the following risk factors contributed to higher amounts of mites: dampness in the bedroom, poor ventilation in the bedroom, the bedroom being on a lower floor, and having an aging mattress.

These are risk factors that can be changed. The researchers suggest that if you suffer indoor allergies, which are most often triggered by dust mites, replacing your mattress on a regular basis (perhaps every five years) and making your bedroom better ventilated can go a long way toward cutting down on your allergic symptoms. Both of these changes make life difficult for those little mites — and ventilating in winter months is particularly effective.

Another group of researchers also decided to look in to indoor allergens. This time the culprit was cat fur. If you are allergic to cats, and obviously don’t have one in your home but still seem to suffer allergic symptoms, it might be because these allergens can be in a house that does not have cats. That’s what a group of scientists found after checking out dust samples from nearly 3,000 mattresses.

Not shocking was the fact that homes with cats had considerably more allergens than houses that either never had felines or had one in the past. But households that never had cats can still have cat allergens, and high levels of them, if they are within towns where lots of people have feline companions. People who visit the home can bring cat allergens inside on their clothes, for one. And there was one last interesting link: homes in which people smoke will have higher levels of cat allergens. Smoke and allergens bind together to create greater concentrations in dust scattered around the house.

That would be a decent buffet for mites. If you have indoor allergies, take easy steps to prevent the sneezing, the sniffling, the watery eyes and the coughing.

The post Staying Allergy-Free… Indoors appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

But that’s not all that makes zinc an amazing mineral. Zinc also has the power to boost your  immune system in a special way. Zinc helps to keep many viral and infectious conditions at bay. Because a severe deficiency in zinc causes major loss of immune function, researchers have known for some time that this mineral is linked to the production of infection-fighting white  blood cells.

In one study, zinc was found to decrease the occurrence of infection in the elderly. Zinc also plays a role in wound- healing, a healthy prostate gland, increased sperm production, immune support, digesting food, energy production, cellular growth and repair, the creation of collagen, bone strength, your cognitive function, breaking down carbohydrates, producing insulin, using glucose, and more. Clearly, keeping zinc levels up is vital to your good health!

What is one of the best food sources of zinc? Oysters. Here are some other foods high in zinc:

– Fortified cereal
– All meat
– Whole grains such as oats, rye, and whole wheat
– Nuts and peanut butter
– Yogurt
– Baked beans
– Peas
– Cheese, especially cheddar

Besides food sources of zinc, there are some other forms that could help you with various health complaints. Try zinc lozenges to relieve the symptoms of a cold. Zinc lozenges fight the virus that causes cold symptoms and could prevent it from spreading into your throat and further into your respiratory tract. You can also use zinc in the form of a nasal spray when you are specifically trying to fight a respiratory infection.

Supplementing with zinc could help prevent macular degeneration from destroying part of your vision. Research has also shown that zinc supplementation may be beneficial in the treatment of acne, herpes, Alzheimer’s, and sickle- cell anemia. The recommended dietary intake for zinc is mg.

The post Boost Your Immune System with Zinc appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

The technique dates back to ancient Egypt. According to its practitioners, the candle removes wax from the ear and thus enhances one’s physical and spiritual well-being. They use a foot-long tube, a rolled-up sheet of cotton, that is covered in beeswax. One end of the tube goes into your ear and the other end is set afire so it looks like you have a huge candle sticking out from your ear.

The idea is that fire sucks out the wax like a vacuum. The practitioner allows it to do this for maybe 20 minutes per ear, after which they remove the tube and push a stick through it, forcing out what is inside: ash and wax. But is it your earwax or is it beeswax? Because it is darkened, some believe it is their earwax, but the smoke could alter the look of the beeswax.

The next question is: does it work? It is possible that it is ineffective. Moreover, ear candling may carry more risk than it does reward. In the past, researchers have found that it’s not earwax left over in the tube, and that it’s unlikely the flame could ever create a vacuum to have such an effect. Some doctors have commented that the pressure needed to dislodge sticky ear wax would be so strong that it would rupture the eardrum. You can’t vacuum out earwax.

One risk is that burning wax could drip into the ear canal. Since the tube leads directly into your ear, this is hardly out of the question. It has been estimated that 10% of throat doctors had patients come to them because they had been harmed by ear candling. About half the cases were an obstructed ear canal, blocked with candle wax. One eardrum had been perforated.

Rather than remove earwax, candling may actually cause more wax to build up in the inner ear. The FDA prohibits all practitioners from advertising that candling can treat earaches, sinus headaches, allergies, and several other problems. The leading specialists on the ear, nose, and throat — the American Academy of Otolaryngology — goes as far as denouncing ear candling.

One factor of note is that wax in our ears has a purpose. It stops water, dust and bacteria from entering. I would think twice before having a session of ear candling.

The post Does Ear Candling Work? appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

At least part of the answer lies with diet. What you eat can and does influence your health — sometimes in small ways and sometimes in big ways. And that includes not only your chances of coming down with a cold or the flu, but also the ability to fight symptoms when you do get one.

There are many vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that come together to build a strong and resilient immune system for you. And when it comes to protecting against colds, those high in antioxidants are the best choice. Vitamins C and E are important, as are the B-vitamins. If you do have a cold, you want to help treat symptoms by making sure you get enough zinc.

Zinc is a mineral that is important for prostate gland function, protein synthesis, a healthy immune system, and the healing of wounds. A deficiency of zinc can result in the loss of your sense of taste and smell. It can also cause high cholesterol levels, fatigue, acne, hair loss, problems with night vision and impotency.

Clearly, keeping your zinc levels up could boost your health in a number of ways, not the least of which is helping to rid yourself of a cold. According to a recent study published by a research team at Wayne State University School of Medicine, zinc lozenges could reduce the duration and severity of symptoms of the common cold.

The research team recruited 50 volunteers who had cold symptoms. The participants took one zinc lozenge every two to three hours while awake, or a placebo. Cold symptoms lasted about four days in the zinc group compared with seven in the placebo group. After the four days, 56% of those taking the zinc lozenges were completely cured of their colds. The researchers concluded that the zinc lozenges likely exercised an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect on the cold symptoms of the participants.

The best food sources of zinc are brewer’s yeast, egg yolks, dulse (seaweed), kelp, lamb, oysters, liver, mushrooms, pumpkin seeds, and poultry.

The post This Mineral Fights Symptoms of the Common Cold appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.

A new study has looked closely at the issue of chronic cough, with two groups of researchers from different institutions writing papers. Chronic cough is one that lasts longer than two months; a true nagging cough that does not seem to vanish on its own regardless of how much cough syrup you guzzle. Estimates are rough, but anywhere from nine percent to 33% of adults are afflicted by chronic cough. Cigarette smoking is a big risk factor, as smokers are at about a three times greater risk of suffering chronic cough.

The causes of this kind of cough are many. Infections, bacterial or viral, acute or chronic, could be the cause. Other possible causes include airway problems, foreign bodies caught in the throat, tumors, heart disease and the use of pharmaceuticals (especially ACE inhibitors). Whatever the cause, chronic cough is one of the biggest reasons why people see doctors. For lung specialists, anywhere from one to four out of every 10 patients will present with a chronic cough.

The researchers suggest that doctors need to clearly diagnose the problem. They need to take into consideration  illnesses that are both common and rare. Sometimes the problem is the cough itself. Chronic cough could be causing swelling or transforming tissues in the airway. This, in turn, makes the cough reflex more acute and causes a long-lasting cough. Treating a chronic cough, they say, is twofold. First, you must identify if there is an underlying condition and deal with it. Second, you must help the throat and airways become less sensitive to cough.

The other study in “The Lancet” looked at how chronic cough can be managed. These researchers wondered how valid it is to say that chronic cough is usually tied to asthma, acid reflux or conditions in the upper airway. They think maybe a chronic cough can’t be treated just by treating the condition believed to be causing it.

They believe that research into effective cough treatments is being hampered by the belief that you can simply treat that underlying condition. This is, they say, “…jeopardizing the development of improved treatments.”

The researchers are calling for more research and better treatments. For now, if you suffer from a cough that lasts longer than eight weeks, ask your doctor or specialist to do two things: 1) Help diagnose any condition that may be causing it; 2) And help make your irritated throat less sensitive to the harsh reality of a cough. Because that in itself could make your cough keep on going.

The post What Does a Chronic Cough Mean? appeared first on Natural Health care Products | Nutritional Health Supplements | Belmarra Health.