It’s Entirely Natural - Articles

One of the major problems that you can run into when trying to eat a healthy diet and find the right foods are allergies that may come up with different types of foods as well as from different seasons. The first step in relieving allergies to help with nutrition is recognizing the source where it is coming from. From here, you will be able to find several solutions to get the nutrition you need in food without allergy problems.

An allergy is a reaction that happens in your body when there is not recognition of the food or substance that is in it. The body will react by creating a defense mechanism to fight off the substance. It does this by making antibodies through chemicals known as histamines. This then causes the body to react to the substance.

There are several natural things that you can do to change the body’s reaction to the substances that are in your system. One of the solutions is to cause an alternate reaction with the body. This can be done by eating a variety of different supplements. By doing this, it will cause the chemicals in your body to stop reacting as much. Drinking water, eating more fruits and vegetables, white fish, turkey and almonds, walnuts and sunflower seeds all allow for the chemicals in your body to slow down and minimize the allergy reaction.

There are also certain vitamin supplements that you can take that will reduce allergies. Vitamins C, A and E, Zinc are the recommended vitamins that will fight allergy reactions. You can also take gamm linoleic acid, (GLA), extra enzymes, and colon cleansing products, such as high fiber, garlic and cayenne pepper. These are all known to help balance your body so that it doesn’t react through allergies.

There are several different natural formulas that are available as well to help fight allergies. Green Tea, selenium, licorice root, copper and magnesium are all available as supplements or in teas. This will help to calm down the chemicals in your body.

If your allergies do not seem to be getting any better, you can also ask your doctor for the best substance to use. There are several over the counter or prescribed medications that are popular for bad allergies. These will block the chemical from being able to produce, which will eliminate the allergy. Some will have laser correction if the allergies are extreme.

Allergies can get in the way of you being able to eat nutritious food as well as to feel that you are living healthy. By using a variety of methods, you can fight off allergies. If the allergies are from the food that you are eating, then it is important to first find which food it is, and then supplement it with a vitamin or another type of food. Knowing what you are body is reacting to then using the proper reaction to it will allow for your allergies to disappear. From here, you can add to your nutritious lifestyle.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Nutrition & Health.

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Tags: cayenne pepper, Colon Cleansing, diet, enzymes, Fiber, garlic, green tea, licorice, linoleic acid, magnesium, Nutrition & Health, sunflower seeds

People tend to talk about chocolate and its nutritional facets and in the end, people tend to conclude that because of its many ingredients that are not considered healthy, chocolate then is also not nutritious. However, this popular notion may not be entirely true.

Chocolate, according to some, contains certain nutrients. These nutrients are good for the body provided that they are eaten in small amounts only. After all, anything taken excessively is not always ideal. Excessive amounts of chocolate in your system can be harmful to your health and can even cause the build up of cholesterol and fats and this, as we all know, cause weight gain. Bear in mind, that if you must eat large amounts of chocolate, you have to “balance it out” with other food.

Chocolate contains stearic acid, a type of saturated fat that is commonly found in cocoa butter. Of course, saturated fat is not healthy. However, compared to other types of fat, stearic acid does not increase your blood cholesterol as rapidly. In fact, stearic acid may even help your heart.

The protein in chocolate is another reason as to why this sweet stuff can be healthy for a person. Generally, chocolate bars contain three to four grams of protein and we know that protein is helpful to the human body.

The antioxidants found in chocolates (flavanoids) are also found to prevent cancer as well as thwart age-related diseases. Flavanoids can also accordingly lower blood cholesterol levels and help keep the blood levels at normal rates.

Did you know chocolates also have copper, calcium and magnesium? Most, if not all, people probably do not know that chocolate has these ingredients!

One has to familiarize him or herself with the various types of chocolates, to know what’s good and what’s not. Compared to other types of chocolate that have too much saturated fat, dark chocolate is popularly known to contain the “ideal ingredients”.

Given these facts, people’s outlook on chocolates has changed. Instead of labeling it as purely junk food, chocolate may now be considered as health food. This is because of the ingredients of chocolate that actually carry good results for the human body. These ingredients can help with heart problems, blood pressure and other health-related concerns.

Hence, to partake of chocolates is not bad after all! Health junkies need not stay away from them and people with that sweet tooth need not give them up. Chocolates can be healthy. Just remember to eat them in moderation.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Nutrition & Health.

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Tags: antioxidants, blood pressure, cholesterol, cocoa butter, dark chocolate, flavanoids, magnesium, Nutrition & Health

Blood pressure that is too high can cause a series of complications leading to heart disease and strokes. It is important to control one’s blood pressure to keep it near or below the ideal 120/80 that is given as “normal” in US patients.

There are no scientific studies that prove the efficacy of herbal remedies for blood pressure, but it is still a good idea to explore their use in some cases, either as an adjunct or primary therapy to reduce one’s blood pressure to normal levels.

The two blood pressure herbal remedies that are most often used for blood pressure include garlic (Allium sativum) and hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). Both of these types of blood pressure herbal treatments have been successfully prescribed by herbal specialists and alternative practitioners to their patients for many years in order to encourage the proper functioning of the circulatory system.

Some physicians are positive about herbs to treat blood pressure, but not all. With the expansion of knowledge of Eastern and European herbal remediation, more physicians are recommending the herbal route as a complement to traditional Western medicine.

Some doctors recommend that their patients with high blood pressure consume at least three or four cloves of garlic per day. While many people are turned off by the odor of garlic, garlic supplements are an alternative to eating the fresh kind—without the concerns about bad breath. Most grocery stores and health food stores sell a variety of brands of garlic pills.

Doctors recommend that patients choosing to take garlic supplements choose one such as Garlique, because the pills are enteric-coated. That means that the pills have a buffer coating which prevents stomach problems when the pills are taken on their own, similar to the way that Bufferin is coated to prevent problems in the stomach with aspirin. Allicin is the ingredient in garlic that is believed to be responsible for lowering blood pressure.

Hawthorn is another herb that works to lower blood pressure. Hawthorn works best when it is taken along with vitamin C. Both of these substances help to increase the dilating action of the blood vessels, which naturally reduces blood pressure by opening the blood vessels.

When an individual’s blood pressure reaches an intermediate area of 140-159/90-99, this is classified as mild to moderate hypertension. At these levels, garlic is a good counter-measure for high blood pressure. If garlic, vitamin C and hawthorn do not do the trick then turn to other blood pressure herbal options such as supplements of the mineral calcium and magnesium.

Calcium’s unique ability to lower blood pressure has been borne out in some research studies. Calcium on its own is not effective against blood pressure, however. Calcium plays a vital role in the contraction of muscular tissues and therefore is beneficial to the health of the heart and the blood vessels. Magnesium works in concert with calcium to make the walls of the blood vessels more elastic as well as to relax the muscles that are found there. Magnesium also increases the efficiently of other essential minerals in the bloodstream which include both potassium and sodium.

Other blood pressure herbal options that are being studies for their effectiveness at lowering blood pressure include coenzyme Q10 which helps to encourage normal blood pressure levels and a selection of fish oils that are composed of the essential fatty acids that support a health heart and circulatory system.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies.

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Tags: blood pressure, garlic, garlique, heart disease, Herbal Remedies, hypertension, magnesium

All fruits are healthy to the human body in specific ways. A combination of fruits in your diet can help to keep you healthy, and cure certain diseases as well. There is a huge variety of fruits that can help you, including apples, apricots, bananas, blueberries, cantaloupe, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, kiwi fruit, lemon/limes and oranges. Other healing fruits include papaya, pears, pineapple, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries and watermelon. Here we take a look at a variety of the healing properties of a selection of fruits.

Amaranth is a food that not everyone is familiar with. While technically a fruit, amaranth is commonly used as a type of grain that is found in many different types of breads, muffins, pasta and other foods that are as an adjunct to flour. The seeds of amaranth are extremely high in protein that builds muscle. Amaranth is much richer in protein than most grains. Amaranth seeds are also excellent at building up the immune system because they are high in zinc, copper and magnesium.

Apricots are excellent antioxidants. They are chock-full of vitamin C and beta-carotene. Research studies have yielded the fact that beta carotene is beneficial at protecting the body against lung cancer. Apricots are great sources of fiber. Apricots are more nutritious if you buy them fresh as opposed to canned.

Bananas are full of potassium, and therefore great at reducing blood pressure. Bananas are full of vitamin B6, which is good for encouraging the strength of the immune system. Bananas are particularly good to start off the day. Eat a banana with a glass of low fat milk and a piece of whole wheat bread (or toast) with peanut butter for breakfast and it will give you plenty of energy. For a change of pace whip up a banana shake in the blender and drink your start to a good day!

Cantaloupe is full of plenty of vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, vitamin B6, folate, potassium and fiber. Research studies have shown that beta-carotene is particularly helpful at fighting cancers that originate in the lungs but more recent studies have shown that it is also worthwhile for fighting other types of cancers such as cancer of the cervix, uterine cancer, stomach cancer and oral forms of cancers. Evidence also supports that vitamin C decreases the incidence of mouth cancers, throat cancers, pancreatic cancer and stomach cancer.

Figs are beneficial to health and that is the case regardless of whether you choose to eat figs fresh or in their dried form. Figs have plenty of vitamin C, fiber, magnesium and potassium in them. Figs contain a type of fruit fiber that is able to decrease blood pressure, and in particular, systolic blood pressure, which is the top number of the blood pressure reading which in turn, calculates the pressure of the contractions of the heart. Fiber in general is connected to decreasing the bottom number of the blood pressure equation, which is the diastolic blood pressure. The diastolic blood pressure stands for the pressure of the heart when it is resting between its contracting action.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Food Cures.

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Tags: antioxidants, beta carotene, blood pressure, blueberries, cranberries, Food Cures, grapes, immune system, kiwi fruit, limes, magnesium, prunes, strawberries, vitamins, vitamins minerals, whole wheat

Whole grains are rightly touted as one of the best sources of fiber. Whole grains should be a part of every individual’s daily diet, as they are extremely beneficial to health for a multitude of reasons.

If you are not getting enough whole grains in your diet, or if you are still consuming white bread and pasta products made with refined flour instead of whole grain, then stop and think twice about what you are doing. To optimize your health, switch to whole grains and start reaping the benefits of doing so!

The absolute best sources of whole grains include such things as barley, oats, rye and wheat. Whole grains consist of the seeds of a plant and contained in it is the outer shell, the middle shell and the inner section. The outer shell is referred to as the bran while the middle section is the endosperm and the inner section is known as the germ.

Whole grains products whether they be bread, rice, pasta, cereal and other products are excellent sources of a number of vitamins and minerals including B vitamins, folate, chromium, copper, vitamin E, magnesium, iron, phosphorus and zinc. Folate is responsible for reducing the levels of an amino acid called homocysteine that exists in the bloodstream. Too much homocysteine in the blood has been shown through research studies to increase the risk of heart disease.

Whole grains are rich in lignans, phenolic acid and phytochemicals known as phytosterols. Research studies into the benefits of whole grains have discovered that that this “miracle food” is capable of decreasing the risk of a number of different cancers developing as well as type II diabetes. Whole grains are also effective at lowering cholesterol and decreasing the risk that an individual could develop heart disease and other circulatory problems. The benefits of whole grains do not end there. Whole grains are capable of decreasing inflammation in the body and therefore lowering the risk of heart disease and other heart complications.

A research study conducted at the University of Utah by Doctor Martha Slattery yielded the results that a diet rich in whole grains and in particular, high fiber cereals decreased the risk that rectal cancer will develop by approximately 31 percent. Further studies showed that a diet high in fiber, which is to say, more than 34 grams of fiber consumed on a daily basis, is capable of decreasing the chance of colorectal cancer by 66 percent.

Another study that was recently conducted at Tufts University by Doctor Nicola McKeown, showed that the participant of the study who ate at least three servings of whole grains on a daily basis were much less inclined to succumb to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, both of which are likely to preceed type II diabetes and heart disease.

Whole grains provide both soluble and insoluble fiber to those who eat it regularly. The body requires both. A research study conducted by Doctor Qi and her colleagues at the Harvard School of Public Health with women participants showed the result that females who suffer from diabetes can benefit from eating a great deal of whole grains, cereal fiber and bran. When tested these women were found to have lower blood vessel inflammation which has been closely connected with circulatory disease.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Food Cures.

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Tags: barley, cholesterol, Fiber, Food Cures, magnesium, oats, phenolic acid, phytochemicals, type-2-diabetes, vitamins, vitamins and minerals, whole grains

As we continue in the Oscar ceremonies for healthiest foods, we have two awards for Best Supporting Actor: Berries and Whole Grains.

Berries are in a big category. They include strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, blueberries and blackberries. Berries are some of the most nutritious of all fruits. They are full of vitamin C, fiber, folate and phytonutrients.

Berries are excellent cancer fighting agents because they are full of antioxidants. Blueberries for example are believed to be higher in their antioxidant properties than are strawberries. Blueberries are useful in helping people as they age; short-term memory loss is lessened thanks to their healthy benefits.

Berries are very simple fruits to prepare. All you need to do is wash them thoroughly and either cut them up or eat them raw. Berries do not require peeling like other fruits, such as oranges and peaches.

Whole grains are full of B vitamins, as well as vitamin E, fiber, magnesium and iron. Whole grains are also very rich in antioxidants and contain some that are not found in fruits or vegetables.

According to the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Americans should eat plenty of grains on a daily basis. Half of all grains eaten should be whole grains, which works out to be three to five servings of whole grains on a daily basis. Always use whole-wheat flour when you bake as opposed to white flour. White flour is refined and is very bad for the body. When you buy such foods as breads, pasta, biscuits and cereal always look for the word “whole” on the packaging. Another way to add whole grains to your diet is to eat more brown rice, wild rice, barley or quinoa. Try experimenting with different ways to add these whole grain products to recipes, such as adding barley or quinoa to soups and casseroles.

Apples got the Oscar nomination, but not the Oscar itself. They nevertheless turn in an excellent performance and should be counted in the top ten. Apples are rich in vitamin C, which helps the body to absorb other types of nutrients such as folate and iron. Apples contain a substance called pectin, which is used in jams and jellies and as a thickener for sauces. Pectin is similar to fiber in that it helps to decrease cholesterol and moderate the level of glucose in the blood.

Wheat germ is the “heart of the wheat seed” and it is filled with nutrients. Wheat does not have much taste, so you might want to sprinkle it on cereal, porridge or yogurt. Wheat germ can also be added to batter when you are baking cookies, muffins, biscuits or pancakes. Wheat germ is rich in folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, thiamine and zinc. Two tablespoons a day is enough to optimize its health benefits. Thiamine is particularly beneficial for the proper functioning of the nerves while phosphorous encourages the development of strong teeth and bones. Iron, folate magnesium and zinc are all minerals that support healing in the body and are essential fro the growth of children.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Food Cures.

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Tags: 2005 dietary guidelines for americans, antioxidants, blueberries, cholesterol, cranberries, Fiber, folate, Food Cures, magnesium, phytonutrients, strawberries, vitamins, whole grains, wild rice

And here we are at the Food Oscars, waiting for the envelope (please!) What are the healthiest foods you can eat, and how do they help you to live better?

Like movie actors, there are a lot of foods out there with some good qualities. But only a few foods contribute Oscar-quality nutrition and improve our lives. Some of these foods are so nutritious that they deserve an award—an Oscar—and a place on your plate.

“And the Oscars for the five healthiest foods go to …

• Salmon
• Soy
• Greens
• Berries
• Whole Grains

This article will focus on the first three.

Salmon is an excellent source of protein and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which lower the levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol in the blood, and increase the level of HDL, or “good” cholesterol in the blood. Salmon is a very versatile food that can easily be substituted for other types of meats such as beef or pork in many different recipes. The American Heart Association recommends that everyone eat at least two servings of fish on a weekly basis and it strongly recommends the consumption of fatty fish, like salmon. It is best to choose wild salmon, as it has more omega-3 fatty acids than farm-raised salmon. Most canned and frozen salmon is wild-caught, so they have the same benefits to your health.

Soy comes in many forms. Tofu is a soy product. It is full of all of the essential amino acids that the body requires. Soybeans are the only known vegetable sources that can make this claim. Soybeans are also very rich in the omega-3 fatty acids, the B vitamins, fiber, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and zinc. A regular diet that includes soy is one that will lead to an overall low level of total cholesterol, as well as LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Soy is beneficial in preventing heart disease, and can help to reduce the incidence of osteoporosis, breast cancer and prostate cancer.

All vegetables are healthy but greens are especially healthy. The best greens to eat include chard (or “Swiss Chard”), collard greens, kale, bok choy, broccoli, asparagus, and green beans. These greens are all rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron and phytonutrients. Broccoli, for example, is beneficial in preventing the onset of heart disease, diabetes and a variety of cancers. If, like George Bush Sr., you don’t like the taste of broccoli, then eat it in recipes such as Chinese beef and broccoli or in a stir-fry with soy sauce. Another option is to eat broccoli raw but with other vegetables such as on a vegetable platter with a zesty dip for added flavor. Green vegetables are low in calories and very high in fiber. Foods that are high in fiber are also filling so that means you do not need to eat too large a helping in order to feel that you have eaten enough.

Greens can be eaten raw or cooked. If you eat them raw, you get the maximum health benefit—just make sure to clean them before you use them. Add raw greens to a salad or simply just snack on them and munch away! One of the best ways to prepare greens is to steam them, as steaming maintains much of the nutritional content—except for Vitamin C, which is heat-labile. Stir-fries are another healthy way to toss together your greens.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Food Cures.

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Tags: asparagus, b vitamins, broccoli, cholesterol, Fiber, Food Cures, magnesium, nutrition, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin C, whole grains

Chocolate is not just a tasty treat. Chocolate is actually healthy for you in small quantities. Researchers have spent many years studying this delicious food (what a fun thing to research!) These researchers have found that dark chocolate, which is bitterer in taste than milk chocolate or other forms of chocolate, has a number of benefits to health. Dark chocolate, red wine and green tea have all been shown to share many of the same health benefits.

Antioxidants are to be found in dark chocolate, and one of the benefits of antioxidants is their cancer-fighting properties. Other health benefits that have been connected to dark chocolate include

• a tremendous improvement in the work of the arteries and blood vessels; the lowering if high blood pressure,
  a lower incidence of deaths related to heart disease;
• improved efficiency of the endothelial cells;
• better digestive process and increased stimulation of the kidneys.

Flavonoids found in chocolate have been found to help people who suffer from anemia, a poor appetite and kidney stones. Dark chocolate is instrumental in fighting bad cholesterol in the blood vessels and it lowers blood pressure and greatly improves the circulation of blood from the heart to the brain and then back again.

Dark chocolate is believed to set off a biochemical effect in the brain that helps to clot the blood much in the same way as aspirin does if a person suspects that they are suffering a heart attack.

Dark chocolate contains the minerals copper and magnesium. These minerals are necessary for a normal functioning heartbeat and for stable blood pressure.

There are potential downsides: be aware that chocolate is fattening, and it contains caffeine so never overdo a good thing!

Not just any dark chocolate will do. In order to get the dark chocolate, experts say that the very best source is the dried extract of roasted cocoa beans. If you cannot consume chocolate this way or if it is not for you then the second best option is to eat a small chocolate bar that is approximately 1.6 ounces. This is just enough chocolate to keep the heart as healthy as possible and to keep the blood vessels opened wide, allowing blood to freely circulate.

There are many dark chocolate bars on the market but one of the best in terms of high cocoa content is the Dove Dark chocolate bar. Even eating a few tiny pieces, such as three or four squares broken off from a chocolate bar can be of tremendous benefit to the heart.

Keep in mind that eating any type of chocolate is not enough to keep the heart “heart healthy.” What you need to eat specifically is dark chocolate as dark chocolate has the most cocoa in it and the most flavonoids.

Before it was discovered that cocoa contained healthy substances called flavonoids, chocolate manufacturers used to destroy this entire important ingredient in the processing. Now that the health benefits are known, they work hard to maintain an estimated 95 percent of it after processing.

Why just dark chocolate? Because milk chocolate, white chocolate, and other forms of chocolate do not have the same level of flavonoids. If you find dark chocolate too bitter then consider buying a dark chocolate bar that contains almonds or raisins or both to add a little more variety to the flavor.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Food Cures.

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Tags: almonds, antioxidants, caffeine, cholesterol, cocoa beans, dark chocolate, flavonoids, Food Cures, green tea, magnesium, red wine

Beans and lentils are healthy foods. They are sometimes neglected as a good source for health and nutrition because they can be perceived as boring and flavorless. Beans and lentils are nevertheless extremely nutritious and should be included as a part of a healthy diet.

Both beans and lentils are packed full of fiber and protein and contain very little fat. Beans and lentils are rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals, which can be beneficial in fighting a number of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke, inflammatory diseases, osteoporosis and depression.

Black beans are a source of soluble fiber and are effective in lowering bad cholesterol by as much as 24 percent. A side-benefit of this decrease in LDL’s is to lower blood pressure. The fiber in black beans is able to sufficiently keep sugar levels to within a healthy zone, while damping hunger. Black beans are good for diabetics because they can level out their calorie consumption without elevating their glucose levels.

These same beneficial effects can be found in a number of different kinds of beans. The most popular kinds of beans and peas include chickpeas (or garbanzo beans), lima beans, fava beans, kidney beans, black-eyed peas, navy beans, pinto beans and great northern beans.

Lentils are rich in many nutrients, but are particularly rich when it comes to the B vitamins. These B vitamins can help to prevent heart attacks. Lentils are also very rich in protein, fiber and a variety of minerals such as ones that help support the strength of the immune system. Examples of these are copper, zinc and manganese and iron. Lentils are particularly rich in iron, which recommends them for people with certain kinds of iron-deficiency anemia.

Miso may not be found in many American households, but it should be considered as a healthy alternative, and a great way to increase the number of beans in your diet. Miso is a type of soybean paste that is often used as a seasoning for sauces and soups. Miso is rich in substances called isoflavones which are believed to help protect against the development and growth of breast cancer because they inhibit the growth of the blood vessels that are responsible fro the rapid growth of tumors.

Also rich in both iron and calcium (when it is sufficiently processed with the salts of calcium) is soybean curd or tofu. Tempeh is another soy product that boasts high levels of vitaimin A, B6, magnesium and zinc. Tempeh has slightly lower levels of fat than does tofu. Other soy products are worth considering because of their nutritional value, including soymilk and other soy beverages such as chocolate soymilk, soy nuts, soy yogurt, tofu (as previously mentioned) and a variety of products made from tofu.

All soy products are derived from soybeans. This means that they all are high in protein content. Protein is made up of all of the essential amino acids that the body needs to function at its healthiest. Soybeans are also extremely rich in all of the B vitamins, as well as fiber, the omega 3 fatty acids, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and phosphorus.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Food Cures.

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Tags: antioxidants, beans, cholesterol, Depression, Fiber, Food Cures, immune system, lentils, magnesium, nutrition, nuts, omega 3 fatty acids

Many believe that nutritional supplements are a great way to improve back pain. Experts believe that by taking certain daily supplements you can help to relieve your back’s underlying problems and the pain they cause.

Nutritional supplements will strength the cartilage as well as your bones. It will diminish inflammation and help to loosen the muscles. As long as you understand that these supplements will not work overnight, they are an answer to back pain that means investing in a long-term solution, and then there is not a reason not to try them. As long as you understand that nutritional supplements are for those who have chronic back pain not for those who suffer the occasional pain problem.

Supplements are divided into two groups. One type of supplement works hard to strengthen different areas in your back. Strengthening back muscles helps to eliminate pain by giving your back a better defense system. The other group is pain relievers. If you have chronic, constant back pain these supplements can be useful to reduce pain as well.

When taking any of these supplements be careful to read the instructions. Some are hard on the stomach and so need to be taken with food, others must be taken on an empty stomach and some cannot be mixed with others. Read the labels and take them exactly as directed if you want them to work for you. Even nutritional products can be detrimental to your health if used in the wrong way.

Most of the supplements take a few months of use before you will see any improvements at all. If you are going to use a calcium and magnesium mix, often sold in one pill, you should also use boron. While calcium and magnesium strengthen bones, boron will help your body to better absorb the other two. Vitamins C and D as well as glucosamine sulfate are for building stronger cartilage, strengthening the bones and helping the muscles. Another supplement to help with muscles strength is S-Adenosylmethionine

Pain-reducing supplements relieve pain in a variety of ways. Some of them diminish the inflammation, such as Bromelain, Devil’s Claw, Turmeric, Flax Seed, Boswellia and White Willow Bark. Bromelain is often suggested for use in athletic injuries, following surgery or if the person suffers from any type of arthritis.

Some supplements achieve both purposes: reducing pain and strengthening the back. For example, Devil’s Claw also has the ability to make the effects of medications prescribed by your health care provider work better. Cayenne has the ability to improve blood flow. This is very important as improved blood flow promotes healing. Cayenne is taken by mouth to improve circulation, but it can also be used as a cream to help with the pain of strained muscles. White Willow Bark is a good pain reliever with all the same effects of aspirin–but without the potential side effects. Niacinamide is used to help promote the healing of cartilage.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Back Pain.

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Tags: Back Pain, boron, glucosamine, magnesium, nutrition, nutritional supplements, vitamins