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What Causes Stress?

Regardless of the cause, stress sets in motion certain automatic changes in the body that are designed to give it a quick burst of energy. The pattern of changes has been called the “fight-or-flight” response because it most likely evolved from our prehistoric ancestors, who faced daily dangers in their search for food and shelter and had to either flee or do battle. Of course, we no longer face such dangers, but our bodies continue to react as if we did. So instead of responding to a saber-tooth tiger lurking behind a tree, the body reacts to petty annoyances like getting caught in traffic, being reprimanded by a supervisor, or worrying about bills.

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Regardless of the type of stress, the body goes through the following changes:

1.The adrenal glands release adrenaline and other stress hormones that prime certain organs to go into action.
2.The breathing becomes faster and more shallow to allow the body to take in more oxygen.
3.The liver releases more glucose (blood sugar) to provide extra energy.

4.The heart beats faster and blood pressure rises to increase the distribution of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.
5.Blood flow to the brain and muscles is increased and, at the same time, reduced to digestive organs.
6.Sweating increases to allow the body to burn more calories without a rise in body temperature. (In theory, sweating also makes the skin slippery and more difficult for a predator to grab.)

After the stressor disappears, the body returns to its normal state (homeostasis). If, however, stress is chronic — as it is for many people — the body stays on high alert. The many damaging consequences include a rise in cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, damaged blood vessels, decreased mental skills, and a weakened immune system.

Source:Reader’s Digest

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Ailmemts & Remedies

Ketoacidosis

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Medical defenition of Ketoacidosis:
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) are two of the most serious complications of diabetes. These hyperglycemic emergencies continue to be important causes of morbid mortality among persons with diabetes in spite of all of the advances in understanding diabetes. The annual incidence rate of DKA estimated from population-based studies ranges from 4.8.to 8 episodes per 1,000 patients with diabetes. Unfortunately, in the US incidents of hospitalization due to DKA have increased. Currently 4-9% of all hospital discharge summaries among patients with diabetes include DKA. The incidence of HHS is more difficult to determine because of lack of population studies but it is still high at ~15%. The prognosis of both conditions is substantially worsened at the extremes of age, and in the presence of coma and hypertension.....click & see

The pathogenesis of DKA is more understood than HHS but both relate to the basic underlying reduction in the net effective action of circulating insulin coupled with a concomitant elevation of counter regulatory hormones such as glucagons, catecholamines, cortisol, and growth hormone. These hormonal alterations in both DKA and HHS lead to increased hepatic and renal glucose production and impaired use of glucose in peripheral tissues, which results in hyperglycemia and parallel changes in osmolality in extracellular space. This same combination also leads to release of free fatty acids into the circulation from adipose tissue and to unrestrained hepatic fatty acid oxidation to ketone bodies.

Ketoacidosis is BAD. It is when diabetics have too much sugar floating around in their blood and keytones spill into the kidneys. It causes kidney damage and generally wreaks havoc on the body.

To get ketoacidosis, you need to have no insulin in your blood. This causes blood sugar to rise to extemely high levels because the body cannot take the sugar into its cells without the help of insulin. You can get ketoacidosis if you’re an alcoholic. Diabetec, alcoholic can get ketoacidosis. For others no.

As long as you are not a Type 1 diabetic (and missjudge your insulin injections), you do not have to worry about ketoacidosis. Protein consumption has nothing to do with it.

EVERYTHING ABOUT KETOSIS

What are ketones?…..click & see

Ketones are a normal and efficient source of fuel and energy for the human body. They are produced by the liver from fatty acids, which result from the breakdown of body fat in response to the absence of glucose/sugar. In a ketogenic diet, such as Atkins … or diets used for treating epilepsy in children, the tiny amounts of glucose required for some select functions can be met by consuming a minimum amount of carbs – or can be manufactured in the liver from PROTEIN. When your body is producing ketones, and using them for fuel, this is called “ketosis”.

How will ketosis help me to lose weight?

Most reducing diets restrict calorie intake, so you lose weight but some of that is fat and some of it is lean muscle tissue as well. Less muscle means slowed metabolism, which makes losing weight more difficult and gaining it back all too easy. Ketosis will help you to lose FAT.

Being in ketosis means that your body’s primary source of energy is fat (in the form of ketones). When you consume adequate protein as well, there’s no need for the body to break down its muscle tissue. Ketosis also tends to accelerate fat loss — once the liver converts fat to ketones, it can’t be converted back to fat, and so is excreted.

But, isn’t ketosis dangerous?

Being in ketosis by following a low carbohydrate diet is NOT dangerous. The human body was designed to use ketones very efficiently as fuel in the absence of glucose. However, the word ketosis is often confused with a similar word, ketoacidosis.

Ketoacidosis is a dangerous condition for diabetics, and the main element is ACID not ketones. The blood pH becomes dangerously acidic because of an extremely high blood SUGAR level (the diabetic has no insulin, or doesn’t respond to insulin …. so blood sugar rises … ketones are produced by the body to provide the fuel necessary for life, since the cells can’t use the sugar). It’s the high blood sugar, and the acid condition that is so dangerous. Ketones just happen to be a part of the picture, and are a RESULT of the condition, not the CAUSE. Diabetics can safely follow a ketogenic diet to lose fat weight … but they must be closely monitored by their health care provider, and blood sugars need to be kept low, and stable.

How do the ketone test strips work, and where can I get them?

Ketone urine-testing strips, also called Ketostix or just ketone sticks … are small plastic strips that have a little absorptive pad on the end. This contains a special chemical that will change colour in the presence of ketones in the urine. The strips may change varying shades of pink to purple, or may not change colour at all. The container will have a scale on the label, with blocks of colour for you to compare the strip after a certain time lapse, usually 15 seconds. Most folks simply hold a strip in the flow of urine. Other folks argue that the force of the flow can “wash” some of the chemical away, and advise that a sample of urine be obtained in a cup or other container, then the strip dipped into it.

The chemical reagent is very sensitive to moisture, including what’s in the air. It’s important to keep the lid of the container tightly closed at all times, except for when you’re getting a strip to take a reading. Make sure your fingers are dry before you go digging in! They also have an expiry date, so make note of this when you purchase the strips … that’s for the UNopened package. Once opened, they have a shelf-life of about 6 months — you may wish to write the date you opened on the label for future reference.

Ketone test strips can be purchased at any pharmacy, and are usually kept with the diabetic supplies. In some stores they’re kept behind the counter, so if you don’t see them on the shelf, just ask the pharmacist; you don’t need a prescription to buy them.

I’m following Induction strictly; why won’t my strips turn purple?

Ketones will spill into the urine ONLY when there is more in the blood than is being used as fuel by the body at that particular moment.

You may have exercised or worked a few hours previously, so your muscles would have used up the ketones as fuel, thus there will be no excess. You may have had a lot of liquids to drink, so the urine is more diluted. Perhaps the strips are not fresh, or the lid was not on tight and some moisture from the atmosphere got in.

Some low carbers NEVER show above trace or negative even … yet they burn fat and lose weight just fine. If you’re losing weight, and your clothes are getting looser, you’re feeling well and not hungry all the time .. then you are successfully in ketosis. Don’t get hung up on the strips; they’re just a guide, nothing more.


Will I lose weight faster if the strips show dark purple all the time?

No. Testing in the darkest purple range all the time is usually a sign of dehydration — the urine is too concentrated. You need to drink more water to dilute it, and keep the kidneys flushed.

The liver will make ketones from body fat, the fat you EAT, and from alcohol — the ketone strips have no way of distinguishing the source of the ketones. So, if you test every day after dinner, and dinner usually contains a lot of fat, then you may very well test for large amounts of ketones all the time. However this does not indicate that any BODY fat was burned.

The strips only indicate what’s happening in the urine. Ketosis happens in the blood and body tissues. If you’re showing even a small amount, then you are in ketosis, and fat-burning is taking place. Don’t get hung up on the ketone sticks.


Does caffeine affect ketosis?

This is questionable. There ARE a few studies that suggest caffeine may cause blood sugar to rise, with consequent effect on insulin … The studies involve consuming 50 gm glucose orally, followed by a dose of caffeine. This is quite different from a low carber, who is consuming only 20 gm carbs, in the form of high-fiber vegetables, spread throughout the day.

Many low carbers continue to enjoy caffeine-containing beverages with no serious impact on their weight-loss efforts. However, there are some sensitive individuals … and persons who are extremely insulin resistant may need to restrict or even eliminate all caffeine. If you have been losing successfully then find your weight loss stalled for a month or two, and you are following your program to the letter, you might consider stopping all caffeine for a while, to see if that will get things started again.


Will drinking alcohol affect ketosis?

No and yes. The liver can make ketones out of alcohol, so technically, when you drink you’ll continue to produce ketones and so will remain in ketosis. The problem is … alcohol converts more easily to ketones than fatty acids, so your liver will use the alchol first, in preference to fat. Thus, when you drink, basically your FAT burning is put on hold until all the alcohol is out of your system.

This rapid breakdown of alcohol into ketones and acetaldehyde (the intoxicating by-product) … tends to put low carbers at risk for quicker intoxication … especially if no other food is consumed to slow absorption.

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.This is purely for educational purpose.

Help taken from: forum.lowcarber.org and www.lowcarb.ca

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Healthy Tips

Women’s Health

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What are some of the main health issues of concern to women?
Women have most of the same health concerns that men have. But women face many health problems unique to them or that more often or more seriously affect women than men. Doctors of chiropractic have always recognized this and have developed and provided a wide variety of treatment options specifically suited to women’s health needs. Because of this (and because most women tend to have a heightened awareness of their physical condition and are accustomed to seeking help from health professionals), more women than men regularly rely on chiropractic care.…click & see

Women must contend with specific health concerns raised by their female physiology, by the fact that the female body is designed to be able to bear children.
Issues involving pregnancy and the menstrual cycle are centrally important health matters for women. Being pregnant, preparing for pregnancy, and recovering from childbirth are female indispositions. Pain during the menstrual period (dysmenorrhea), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and chronic pelvic pain are among the distressing conditions which disturb the otherwise healthy lives of many women.

Older women are much more likely than men to develop such serious ailments as Alzheimer’s disease (which burdens the afflicted with near-total memory loss and reduced mental functioning) and osteoporosis (in which the bones become weak, brittle, and porous; the posture stooped with the shoulders rounded). These are just two of the problems of aging that women must be aware of and can take steps to prevent.

Less ominous, but more pervasive, are headaches. Women may get headaches during menstrual periods and pregnancy, as well as under ordinary circumstances. They are more likely to be troubled enough by headache pain to find a way to overcome it. Similarly, women are often victims of osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) and have a 200 to 300 percent greater chance than men of suffering rheumatoid arthritis.

What can chiropractic do?

Chiropractic offers demonstrated relief for many of women’s health problems. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to lessen the discomfort of dysmenorrhea and chronic pelvic pain. Numerous back disorders that strike women are addressed and remedied daily, all over the world, by chiropractors skilled in treating those problems and in improving their patients’ capacity to cope and to improve.

More and more women have become interested in diet, nutrition, weight loss, exercise, sports and physical activity, and methods for maintaining wellness and general fitness  about which chiropractors have considerable knowledge that they are eager to share with their patients. Chiropractic wellness programs are particularly well-suited to the special needs of pregnant women, new mothers, women who are overweight, who are in stressful situations, and others who need to protect and strengthen their bones, nerves, joints, muscles and overall health.

Great numbers of women rely on chiropractors because of the caring interaction that develops between patient and doctor and because of chiropractic’s effective combination of expert diagnosis, effective spinal adjustments and soft tissue therapy, exercise and nutritional guidance, and lifestyle counseling.

Source:ChiroFind.com

Categories
Ailmemts & Remedies

Diabetes

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Approximately 16 million people in the United States suffer from diabetes. Many would do well to consider the use of herbs and nutritional supplements, which can complement conventional medical treatment and help prevent some complications of this chronic but manageable disease……….click & see


Symptoms

Excessive thirst.
Frequent and excessive urination.
Extreme fatigue and weakness.
Unintentional weight loss.
Slow healing of cuts and wounds.
Recurring infections, such as urinary tract infections or vaginal yeast infections.
Blurred vision.
Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.

When to Call Your Doctor
If you experience any of the symptoms listed above.
Reminder: If you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before taking supplements.

What It Is
A person with diabetes doesn’t produce enough of the hormone insulin or is unable to use it effectively, which causes high blood sugar (glucose) levels. Over time, this imbalance can lead to heart disease, nerve damage, kidney disease, vision loss, and other complications. There are two types of diabetes. Less common is insulin-dependent diabetes (type 1), which usually develops before age 30. Non-insulin-dependent diabetes (type 2) accounts for 90% of cases; it usually appears after age 40.

What Causes It
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin. No one knows exactly why this happens, but some experts believe a virus or an autoimmune response, in which the body attacks its own pancreatic cells, is responsible. People with this type of diabetes must take insulin for life. Type 2 diabetes develops from insulin resistance. Here the pancreas secretes plenty of insulin, but the body’s cells don’t respond to it. Obesity plays a major role in most cases of type 2 diabetes. Genetic factors, however, can contribute to the onset of both types.

How Supplements Can Help
All the supplements can be used along with prescription drugs and by people with both types of diabetes. Taking some supplements may require altering dosages for insulin or the hypoglycemic drugs used for type 2 diabetes. Dosage changes must be supervised by your doctor.

What Else You Can Do
Exercise regularly. Those who burn more than 3,500 calories a week through exercise are half as likely to develop type 2 diabetes as those burning less than 500. People with type 1 can benefit from exercise too.
Lose weight. Being overweight is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
Eat whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to keep blood sugar in check.
People with diabetes may find it beneficial to add soy foods to their diet. These products — including tofu, soy protein, soy milk, and soy flour — may improve glucose control, protect against heart disease, and lessen the stress on the kidneys.
The herb ginkgo biloba is useful for two common side effects of diabetes: nerve damage and poor circulation in the extremities. If you have signs of either complication or if you have trouble controlling your blood sugar levels, try taking ginkgo biloba at a dose of 40 mg three times a day.


Supplement Recommendations

Vitamin B Complex
Chromium
Gymnema Sylvestre
Essential Fatty Acids
Antioxidants
Zinc/Copper
Bilberry
Taurine


Vitamin B Complex

Dosage: 1 pill each morning with food.
Comments: Look for a B-100 complex with 100 mcg vitamin B12 and biotin; 400 mcg folic acid; and 100 mg all other B vitamins.

Chromium
Dosage: 200 mcg 3 times a day.
Comments: Take with meals.

Gymnema Sylvestre
Dosage: 200 mg twice a day.
Comments: May require change in insulin or diabetes medication. Talk to your doctor.

Essential Fatty Acids

Dosage: 1,000 mg evening primrose oil 3 times a day; 1,000 mg fish oils twice a day.
Comments: Or use 1,000 mg borage oil once a day for primrose oil.

Antioxidants

Dosage: 1,000 mg vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin E, and 150 mg alpha-lipoic acid each morning.
Comments: Alpha-lipoic acid may affect blood sugar; use with care.

Zinc/Copper
Dosage: 30 mg zinc and 2 mg copper a day.
Comments: Add copper only when using zinc longer than 1 month.

Bilberry
Dosage: 160 mg twice a day.
Comments: Standardized to contain 25% anthocyanosides.

Taurine
Dosage: 500 mg L-taurine twice a day on an empty stomach.
Comments: If using longer than 1 month, add mixed amino acids.

Source:Your Guide to Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs (Reader’s Digest)

Click to learn more about Diabetes 

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.

Categories
Ailmemts & Remedies

Congestive Heart Failure

It’s the most frequent cause of hospitalization in people over age 65 — and a serious condition that usually requires rigorous, lifelong treatment. Along with lifestyle changes and drugs, supplements can help ease symptoms of this ailment……...CLICK & SEE

Symptoms
Extreme fatigue and weakness.
Shortness of breath after very little exertion or while reclining.
Severe cough that produces reddish brown sputum.
Unexplained extremely rapid or irregular heartbeat.
Swelling (edema) of the extremities, especially ankles and feet.

When to Call Your Doctor
If you regularly feel extremely fatigued and short of breath after limited exertion.
If you experience severe breathlessness or chest pain, which may indicate a heart attack — call an ambulance at once.
If you have congestive heart failure and you develop fever or rapid or irregular heartbeat or symptoms worsen.

What It Is
In congestive heart failure (CHF), a weakened, or failing, heart doesn’t pump as efficiently as it should. As a result, not enough oxygen-rich blood gets delivered to all parts of the body. Often simply called heart failure, CHF typically lingers and worsens over time. As blood flow from the heart slows, the blood returning to the heart backs up, leading to “congestion” in the tissues. Fluid can accumulate in the lungs, causing shortness of breath; can pool in the ankles, making them swell up; or can produce myriad other symptoms.


What Causes It

A heart attack, which scars the heart and interferes with its pumping ability, frequently results in CHF. Other causes include persistent high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, long-term drug or alcohol abuse, and infections of the heart muscle or valves.

How Supplements Can Help
Various medications can strengthen the heart’s pumping action, expand blood vessels, increase blood flow, and eliminate excess fluid from the body. In consultation with your doctor, all these supplements can be taken long term along with conventional drugs to help slow the progression of CHF. Benefits may appear within three to four weeks.

What Else You Can Do
Get plenty of rest and don’t undertake strenuous activity.
Eat smaller, more frequent meals, which require less energy to digest.
Reduce your salt intake and avoid caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco.
Regular walking and other types of mild aerobic exercise help many patients with CHF. However, always check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program.

Supplement Recommendations
Vitamin C/Vitamin E
Coenzyme Q10
Hawthorn
Carnitine
Taurine
Magnesium
Ginkgo Biloba
Thiamin

Vitamin C/Vitamin E
Dosage: 1,000 mg vitamin C 3 times a day; 400 IU vitamin E daily.
Comments: Check with your doctor if taking anticoagulant drugs.

Coenzyme Q10
Dosage: 100 mg twice a day.
Comments: For best absorption, take with food.

Hawthorn
Dosage: 100-150 mg 3 times a day.
Comments: Standardized to contain at least 1.8% vitexin.

Carnitine
Dosage: 1,000 mg L-carnitine twice a day on an empty stomach.
Comments: When using for longer than 1 month, add a mixed amino acid complex (follow package directions).

Taurine

Dosage: 500 mg L-taurine twice a day on an empty stomach.
Comments: When using for longer than 1 month, add a mixed amino acid complex (follow package directions).

Magnesium

Dosage: 400 mg twice a day with food.
Comments: Do not take if you have kidney disease.

Ginkgo Biloba
Dosage: 40 mg 3 times a day.
Comments: Standardized to have at least 24% flavone glycosides.

Thiamin

Dosage: 200 mg a day.
Comments: Also called vitamin B1.
Source:Your Guide to Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs

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