April 5th, 2010 
My Health I was just diagnosed with a stomach ulcer and started taking Prevacid. I don’t like the side effects (or the cost!) and was wondering if anyone has any natural, alternative remedies or if medication is the only answer. Thanks, any replys would be appreciated!
March 21st, 2010 My Health
For years podiatrists have been maligning the flip flop sandal as a cause of many common foot problems. In fact, multiple articles have been published about the dangers encountered in the current flip-flop phenomenon. Still, most teenagers and young adults spend more time in flip-flop sandals then any other shoes.
Engineers in the UK launched the “Fit Flop” as a stylish way to strengthen your legs, thighs and “bum” muscles while walking. Surprisingly, these also have been found to help with back pain and do not cause many of the same foot problems as the common flip flop sandal.
Why is this? The “Fit Flop” is engineered much like a “barefoot technology” shoe. It makes the muscles that stabilize the foot work harder and over a period of time can actually strengthen your feet. The common flip flop actually accentuates pronation or the rolling in of your feet which causes fatigue and biomechanical stress in your feet and lower legs. This can lead to overuse injuries like plantar fasciitis and posterior tibial tendonitis which are commonly known as “arch fatigue” or “fallen arches”. Flip flop sandals also increase the stress on the great toe joint and can accelerate Hallux abducto valgus also known as “bunion” formation. This does not happen with the “Fit Flop” because of the varying EVA in the midsole which actually accelerates the propulsion or “toe off” stage of gait, therefore decreasing the stress on the great toe joint. Patients with bunions may never take them off!
The makers of “Fit Flops” actually have some good science behind their claim to increase muscle activation 10-12% and it was verified by an independent lab outside their company. Consumers should be cautioned to wear the “Fit Flops” gradually because of the delayed muscle soreness that occurs just like the beginning of a work out routine.
Is the “Fit Flop” the answer to your workout woes? Can they cure your foot problems? Not even close. No shoe can do that! They can help you burn a few more calories during your daily routine, but cardiac fitness can never be achieved in this manner. Do not forgo your aerobic workout thinking somehow this sandal is the cure for your fitness woes. Maybe a curvier calf muscle or thinner thigh, but just walking in a sandal cannot acheive real fitness.
Can anyone wear a “Fit Flop”? Caution should be taken in picking any shoe. Foot ype is important to evaluate. Many people with significant flexible flat feet or unstable foot type should not wear the “Fit Flop” because the destabilizing technology can actually accentuate the stress on their foot. If you require in-shoe foot orthotics, the “Fit Flop” is probably not for you.
Bottom line: “Fit Flops” are a good alternative to the common flip flop sandal but should be worn gradually and pay attention to any fatigue in your feet! If you have any foot pain or injury, visit your podiatrist and ask their advice on your ability to wear “Fit Flops”.
March 18th, 2010 My Health
The best probiotic supplements can provide an easy way to gain the benefits of probiotics. The best way to get probiotics into your diet is with food. But, the modern Western diet is geared to kill as many of them off as possible. Yogurt is a decent source, as well as kefir and other cultured dairy products. But, for many people, food preferences and intolerances can make this difficult. Probiotic dietary supplements provide an alternative means. But care must be taken to get the best results. There are many probiotic supplements on the market that claim to be the best, but read the label and do your homework first.
Probiotic supplements should contain a minimum of 10 million live bacteria in a single dose. That is 10 followed by 6 zeros. And the bacteria should be from one or more members of the Lactobacillus family. Lactobacilli are one of the friendliest bacteria that can be introduced to the gastrointestinal tract. They help balance the body back out. A good probiotic supplements will also contain a source of nutrition for the bacteria. This will help keep them alive both in the capsule and while you are ingesting them. Dead bacteria will do you no good. Probiotic supplements need to be taken daily since the body will kill off some of them every day. Over time, the balance of good and bad bacteria will be harmonized.
Probiotic supplements should contain bacteria that have not been tampered or altered in any way. Choose probiotic supplements that are harvested from organic vegetable sources. Cheap supplements harvest their bacteria from animal fecal sources. Yes, you read it correctly, fecal. By choosing organic sourced probiotic dietary supplements, you are insuring that you get the best supplement for your body. The Western diet is bad enough without introducing other problems.
Probiotic supplements will give you the same benefits as food sources. The Lactobacilli bacteria provide many valuable effects. They reduce cholesterol in the blood and increase nutrient assimilation. High blood pressure can be reduced while strengthening the immune system. Yeast infections can be retarded. Many bowel issues such as colon irritation, constipation and diarrhea can be resolved. The best probiotic supplements help to balance the alkalinity or acidity of the intestines. With the healthy bacteria reintroduced, the numbers of bad bacteria go down. This helps with detoxifying the body of the chemicals that prevail in the Western diet. It also helps digest of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins. Make probiotic supplements part of your daily regimen.
March 18th, 2010 My Health
The famous inventor Thomas Edison once said “The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patient in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.”
Some view natural alternative health remedies as a temporary fascination that will fade into the sunset over time while others perceive alternative health treatments as the way of the future. But the idea that they may lead the way seems the more plausible of the two theories, with preventative medicine replacing that of reactionary medicine.
One of the great myths about alternative natural remedies has been there is no firm scientific evidence confirming the effectiveness of natural treatments. To dispel this all one has to do is pick up any credible natural health reference guide or naturopathic medicine manual. And despite the attempts of many major pharmaceutical companies continuing to marginalize the use of alternative natural remedies they continue to develop medicines based on the very natural treatment that they wish to discredit.
The idea behind the use of natural healing is something referred to as full spectrum approach. This concept is much different than that behind that of prescription medications. Let’s look at how the two theories would be almost diametrically opposed. For our example let’s use my neighbor John who smokes, doesn’t exercise, and has high cholesterol.
John is already on a number of medications and goes for his annual physical only to find that he has high cholesterol. His doctor tells him he really should quit smoking and then writes a prescription for a statin medication and tells John to come back in three weeks for a follow up. In the follow up tests show the statin has crashed Johns cholesterol too low leading to muscle aches and pain. The doctor makes the needed adjustment in dosage and suggests mild pain relievers if pain persists.
Now let’s look at the naturopathic approach. John hasn’t smoked in years due to the advice of his natural health specialist. He uses exercise as a moderate tool to help him relieve stress and boost immune system function. Upon testing high for cholesterol levels his doctor suggests eating fish a couple of times a week and reducing his intake of saturated fat to below 10 percent of total calories and suggests a fish oil supplement. He tells John that diet modification should bring his high cholesterol numbers down but tells him there are a number of natural remedies available if needed.
If you eat a high cholesterol high fat diet, don’t exercise, smoke, are overweight, and are constantly bombarded with stress chances are you will likely be very unhealthy. This will ultimately lead to numerous conditions and medicines being prescribed, as is the case with John. And quite honestly the use of alternative health remedies likely wouldn’t do much good anyway, since they are most effective as a part of an overall approach consisting of diet, exercise, and supplementation. In other words alternative natural remedies should be used in addition to a healthy lifestyle rather than a tool to continue to make unhealthy lifestyle choices.
The two examples above are the push and pull involved.
The question is does the use of prescription medication enable bad behavior or is an necessary tool in the fight against disease? The answer likely falls somewhere in the middle, leading us back to the debate about the usefulness of alternative natural remedies.
Posted in Alternative Health 
Tags: alternative, health, Just, Medicine, Outdated, remedies, Tool, Useful 
No Comments » March 16th, 2010 My Health
More and more opt for alternative therapies today. Whereas treatments combining integrated public health care which alternative or complementary therapies, which now exists in some scientific evidence of high quality safety and efficacy. Alternative therapies have certain advantages over conventional medicine, because they would not be available to offer more services than ever. Although the list is not complete here are a few of them: diets, massage, music therapy, herbal medicine, faith healing, folk medicine, naturopathy, homeopathy, chiropractic therapy and ‘new age’ healing. The above treatments are used for conventional medicine, but as the confidence that a disease can be cured.
They can help not only alternative therapies that improve the quality of life and feel better, you can also help improve your health, to give a sense of control. Reduce stress, tension, insomnia, anxiety, depression and feel relaxed. The intensity of some of the side effects of the drawbacks of traditional cancer treatment can be designed to endure, are other symptoms such as shortness of breath, diarrhea, anorexia, constipation, pain and discomfort is greatly reduced.
A combination of alternative medical therapies and conventional medicine has been found very effective in masking pain, even if there is a serious illness. For example, there is support for cancer that all of these therapies for offering free or low for a fee, and there are hospices and hospitals that these particular as part of cancer treatment, right side conventional treatments, such as cancer radiation therapy or chemotherapy. These treatments are used by many cancer patients with whom they support in their fight against cancer. These therapies are invaluable in that they identify and support spiritual and emotional characteristics and physical traits, but not used as the sole option of online processing will be.
More than one billion will be spent annually by Americans on vitamins and herbs, the products of alternative health. Recent studies Tindle, Davis, Phillips, & Eisenberg, 2005, showed that approximately 72 million adults in the United States of complementary and alternative therapies. Herman, Craig, & Caspi, in 2005 showed that more than one billion is spent annually on alternative therapies.
It is important, but achieve better results than the alternative health therapy for effective treatment to use. In addition, the patient should take advantage of this therapy is more convenient. The quality of life for many people has improved, particularly those under Motor Neuron Disease. Individual therapies like reiki and reflexology, homeopathy, hypnosis, massage, meditation, acupuncture and aromatherapy have proved to be favorable. It is important that you tell your doctor before you discuss alternative treatments and to start any additional treatment, so that no unwanted or disadvantages that affect the treatment.
If you integrate the treatment then openly and honestly with your doctor and your team of health care. Before considering and deciding on this option, you should first tell your doctor whether the treatment in your hospital or clinic is available. Today, doctors are increasingly convinced that an alternative therapy has a place in the recovery of the patient, giving them the ability to practice an alternative therapy is recommended. For many people around, all these different types of therapies very useful if it reduced any effects of conventional treatments, the anxiety and gives them control over their lives.
