April 10th, 2008 by cathy
If you are among the growing number of people buffering from type 2 diabetes, here is some good news: A plan of basic therapies including education, a personalized meal plan, nutritional supplements, and ongoing monitoring and support can reduce the amount of insulin and oral medications needed to manage the disease and decrease the symptoms and complications of diabetes. When you are empowered by knowledge, you can learn to effectively manage this
potentially devastating disease. Many diabetic patients think their symptoms are under control because they are taking insulinand other oral medications that help keep their blood sugars within acceptable levels. Medications are, of course, critical in the treatment of the disease. However, if the patient does not commit to an active role in addressing the causes of problems, then the result may be an ever-increasing dependence on insulin or other medications, which have their own negative side effects over time. For instance, did you know that insulin is a fat-storing hormone that often leads to unwanted weight gain among diabetic patients? That weight gain can then lead to other problems such as high blood pressure or joint problems.
In my own work with patients, I stress four important factors. The first is education about the disease process. It is
critical to understand what diabetes is and what the effects can be on your body. Without proper treatment, problems such as loss of vision, pain or numbness in the extremities, ulcers on the feet, and damage to vital organs can occur. Learning about how the disease affects the body to cause these problems is the first crucial step in your treatment plan. Read the rest of this entry »
There are many over the counter remedies for colds and flu. When I read the warnings on most of those bottles its enough to get you thinking about a more natural path to healing. I tried using some of those over the counter vapor rubs on my kids when they were sick and they hated the way that rub smelled, let alone walk out to the door to go to school with it on. My 12 year old would not even think of it, ok maybe I understand that, but my 6 year old also complained. I found a more live vub rup that did not have that strong of a smell. It did not go on greasy and got absorbed immediately into the skin leaving no residue. It contained Eucalyptus, Arnica and Spearmint.As far as internal health problems are concerned Eucalyptus seems to assist in easing indications of colds, flu, chest blockage, throat problems, bronchitis, pneumonia, and respiratory infections.For treating problems pertaining to the body, Eucalyptus leaves can be used in the form of tea or tincture. Tea prepared from eucalyptus leaves when used as a gargle is effective in easing the problems associated with sore throat.Arnica has been used for medicinal purposes since the 1500s and remains popular today. Read the rest of this entry »
March 10th, 2008 by cathy
Healthy and glowing skin is the first indication of your good health. The best thing you can do for the health and look of your skin is to eat healthy and drink plenty of water. Eat lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, plus essential fatty acids from foods like flax seed oil. If you want a healthy skin, it is important for you to take a healthy food diet which contains adequate amounts of vitamins, minerals and proteins. Read the rest of this entry »
February 14th, 2008 by cathy
 As the balmy late-summer days give way to the cool breezes of autumn, many people are inspired to tackle their fitness routine with new vigor. With kids back in achool, parents have more time to get to the gym, and the crisp fall air makes it possible to exercise comfortably, free of the summer heat and humidity.
Even with a fitness regimen in place, most people tend to be more sedentary in fall and winter; for that reason, it is important to incorporate a balanced approach to diet and nutrition into your plan. For example, most people don’t eat the recommended four to five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. But our health, energy, muscle development and more are all directly linked to the whole foods, vitamins and supplements we ingest each day. Read the rest of this entry »
February 13th, 2008 by cathy
Here’s a meal-by-meal guide to eating for energy and managing your mood with food.Breakfast Eating a good breakfast boosts your concentration and revs your energy, particularly in the morning when you may need it most. Without breakfast, you’re more likely to make that second pot of coffee by mid-morning.
Instead, keep your blood sugar on an even keel with complex carbohydrates. Avoid refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and white sugar. These have a high glycemic index, which can cause spikes and dips in your blood sugar levels.
The right complex carbohydrates provide your brain and muscles with the steady flow of the energy they need. Grains are great sources of B vitamins, which aid in the metabolic production of energy. The best carb choices for breakfast are natural whole-grain breads and cereals. Read the rest of this entry »
