A-Z prevention tips Articles

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in North America. While there are conventional treatments for this health concern, heart supporting supplements can help prevent heart disease by keeping your heart healthy. 

What is Heart Disease?

Arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis occur when deposits build up on the inside of the arteries. This leads to a decrease in the flexibility and elasticity of the walls. Deposits can be made of calcium (arteriosclerosis) or fatty substances like cholesterol (atherosclerosis).

Pieces of these deposits cause problems in several ways. They narrow the paths that blood takes around your heart and surrounding vessels, causing the body to exert more effort to maintain circulation and adequate blood flow to tissues. This common and dangerous condition is called high blood pressure. If pieces break off, they will disrupt blood flow, potentially leading to clots or lodge into smaller blood vessels, blocking them entirely and causing a heart attack or stroke. Clots are also culprits of heart attacks and strokes.

How To Prevent Heart Disease: Conventional Treatments, Diet & Supplements

Lifestyle Factors

The most important factor in keeping your vascular system healthy is a healthy lifestyle. It plays a bigger role in heart health than family history, which is encouraging. Reduce heart disease risk through a proper diet, fighting obesity, quitting smoking and incorporating exercise into your life.

Conventional Treatments

Conventional treatment of high cholesterol with lipid-lowering drugs makes only small improvements to your chance of developing heart disease. Plus, these drugs have many side effects. The most troublesome is the increased risk of depression and suicide amongst medicated individuals.

The drugs also deplete vital nutrients for heart health, such as coenzyme Q10. Aspirin or other blood-thinning medication may also be prescribed to decrease the risk of developing blood clots.

Stomach ulcers and abnormal bleeding are side effects of some of these medications. These medications can interact with many natural products. Consult a health professional before starting any new therapy.

Diet & Supplements To Prevent Heart Disease

Dietary changes for heart health include maintaining adequate fibre intake and lowering the fat and cholesterol content of your foods. Drink lots of clear fluids and eat raw fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Include green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, vegetable protein like soybeans and unrefined oils like olive, flax, and sunflower in your daily diet. Foods to avoid are any junk foods, fried foods, processed foods, fast foods, white flour products, white sugar products, red meat, egg yolks, ice cream, salt, coffee, colas and other caffeine sources. Eliminate alcohol, tobacco and highly spiced foods.

Use diet, exercise, and supplements to maintain a healthy weight. Stress reduction techniques such as deep breathing, yoga or biofeedback will help to maintain a healthy stress level.

Cold and flu season can take a toll on your energy, immune system, and overall well-being. With increased exposure to viruses and environmental stressors, many people look for ways to strengthen their defences and recover more quickly. Alongside proper rest, hydration, and nutrition, cold and flu supplements have become a popular way to manage symptoms. 

Let's explore typical cold and flu symptoms, conventional treatments, and natural ways to support your body and immune system during illness.

What Are Cold & Flu Symptoms?

Cold symptoms include congestion, a runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, swollen glands, and often low-grade fever. As the cold progresses, discharge may increase and become green or yellow in colour. The duration of a cold is usually 7 –10 days. Flus usually have the same symptoms as a cold, but are more severe. High fever, chills and body aches also occur. Flus can also attack the gastrointestinal system and cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The duration of the flu is usually one week, but full recovery can take longer.

How Can I Treat Cold & Flu?

Conventional Treatment Options

The only conventional treatment for colds and flu is to take antibiotics, but ONLY if there is a bacterial infection present! Antibiotics being used to treat non-bacterial illnesses, such as cold and flu viruses, have created significant problems, including the emergence of strains of antibiotic-resistant organisms. By only using antibiotics when a bacterial infection is present and by making sure the entire course of antibiotics are followed, you can help to lessen the amount of resistance.

Cold & Flu Supplements & Herbs

Oregano Oil

Oregano is a VERY effective anti-bacterial. Use it at the first sign of a sore throat, and if it’s bacterial in nature, it’ll be GONE! Chronic use of oregano oil is powerful enough that it will eventually affect healthy gut flora. It's best to use oregano oil for 5-7 days at the first sign of a cold, not as a long-term immune support.

Vitamin D

It's no coincidence that cold and flu outbreaks increase during the winter months, when North Americans are no longer able to get the sunshine vitamin from SUN. We now know the crucial role that vitamin D plays in balancing and optimizing immune system function. Up your intake temporarily if you feel a cold or flu coming on. As a fat-soluble vitamin, D3 should always be taken with food.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is effective at preventing cold and flu symptoms in those under heavy physical stress, and arguably, stress in general. Regular supplementation with vitamin C has also been shown to reduce the average duration of a cold.

Echinacea

Echinacea has several immune-specific actions in the body, including antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiprotozoal, and antiparasitic effects. It’s also a decongestant, lymphatic, anti-inflammatory, and immunostimulant. How’s that for cold and flu treatment? Echinacea is most effective when used at the first sign of a cold and/or flu.

Elderberry

It’s ANTIVIRAL!!! To all of those “let it run its course’’ proponents, who say there’s nothing you can do for cold and flu… think again. Elderberry is an effective anti-viral, and as such can help decrease the duration and severity of a cold and flu.

Probiotics

The gut is the HEART of the immune system, with more immune cells than any other area of the body. As such, we need to ensure that our healthy gut bacteria outweigh the pathogenic bacteria (also normally present) in the gut.

Astragalus

In Asian medicine, Astragulus is one of the most widely used herbs. It has the potential to increase the activity of immune cells, enhancing the immune response. Astragalus also has anti-viral properties.

Andrographis

Native to India, Andrographis may not be as well known as some of these cold and flu busters, but it soon will be! Studies show that it can significantly shorten the duration of cold and flu, as well as being effective for prevention.

What Are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are swollen, enlarged veins occurring in the lower leg and occasionally the abdomen. They may start as small “spider” veins, and then gradually become larger over time, often becoming progressively painful.

When a vein is varicose, it will usually appear purple or blue underneath the skin. They are often raised up from the surface of the skin, creating a bumpy texture. They can ache dully, but if knocked against something hard can hurt quite a lot.

What Causes Varicose Veins?

Several factors contribute to the development of varicose veins: 

• Weakening of the vessel walls
• Faulty valves
• Added pressure in the area

Vein walls may become weak due to deficiencies in important nutrients such as bioflavanoids and vitamin C. When the vein wall weakens, the blood inside presses against it and causes it to balloon out, becoming varicose because of the loss of elasticity.

Valves can become faulty primarily due to poor circulation from a lack of exercise. However, they also need bioflavanoids to function effectively and to maintain their shape, and when you do not ingest enough, the flow of blood is affected, causing further ballooning of the vein wall.

Increased pressure in the affected area can be caused by prolonged periods of sitting or standing with the accompanying impairment in circulation and pooling of blood.

Other factors can include: obesity, genetics, hormonal changes like pregnancy, constipation, and hot weather.

Key Symptoms of Varicose Veins

Heavy, tired and aching legs are the most common symptoms of varicose veins. Swelling, leg cramps, itchy and thin skin, ulcers and blood clots may also occur as the condition worsens. Elevating legs and walking around can help improve these symptoms.

It is interesting to note that a hemorrhoid is also a varicose vein, just in a different part of the body. The usual cause of hemorrhoids is prolonged constipation and straining during bowel movements.

How Can I Get Rid of Varicose Veins?

Conventional Treatment Options

Conventional treatment of varicose veins involves injections, surgery and compression therapy. Injections and surgery scar or remove the affected vessels, and the body compensates by increasing the use of other veins. Compression stockings help varicose veins by exerting pressure on the area to prevent blood pooling. These therapies take care of the problematic vein, but they will not correct lifestyle factors to prevent recurrence.

Natural & Nutritional Therapies

Nutritional therapy for varicose vein treatment focuses on strengthening the vein wall, improving blood flow, and enhancing the functioning of the valves that control the flow of blood through the vein.

• You can support vein wall strength with vitamin C and bioflavonoids. You can also use horse chestnut seed extract. It has been clinically proven to reduce ballooning of the vein wall and to reduce pain. You might also consider the herb hawthorn. It has active bioflavonoids specific for blood vessel walls.
• You can also improve the flow of blood with horse chestnut seed extract. It helps tonify the valves inside the vein so they regulate blood flow better. Gingko biloba can also make a difference in this respect.
• Coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E can be used to enhance general circulation throughout the vein.

Lifestyle changes to help with varicose veins include regular exercise and weight management. Avoid staying stationary for long periods of time because it stagnates circulation. Avoid tight clothing on the legs. Move the bowels regularly. Raise your legs above your heart level for 10-15 minutes every day. Alternate hot and cold leg baths to increase circulation. Massage around the area and towards the heart to ease blood congestion. Topically apply horse chestnut gel to the legs or add horse chestnut tea to bath water. It firms and tones vessels and reduces inflammation.

Dietary changes aimed at improving blood circulation and regulating bowel movements can prevent varicose vein formation. Dietary tips that may help include:

• Eating a high-fibre diet to add bulk to the stool and maintain regularity.
• Eat whole-grain products, flax seeds, fruits and vegetables.
• Eat one salad of raw vegetables daily.
• Drink 2L of filtered water daily to soften stools and maintain regularity.
• Eat citrus fruits and berries for bioflavonoids, which strengthen veins.
• Eat wheat germ, as a source of vitamin E, to improve circulation and tissue elasticity.
• Avoid constipating and irritating foods such as dairy products, spicy food, fats, processed foods, salt, alcohol, coffee, chocolate, cocoa, cola and black tea.

Kidney stone discomfort can be intense and disruptive, often affecting daily routines and overall well-being. Finding ways to support your body and reduce the risk of recurrence is key to long-term comfort and health. Alongside hydration and dietary adjustments, many individuals are exploring kidney stone support through natural approaches that aim to promote urinary tract health and maintain mineral balance.

In this article, we'll explore practical strategies to help you feel more comfortable and support your body naturally. 

Understanding Kidney Stones

To better understand kidney stone support strategies, you must first understand what kidney stones are and how they form. Excruciatingly painful kidney stones begin as small crystals that form in the kidneys, usually from excess minerals. They can stay as small as a grain of sand or grow as large as a grape. While in the kidneys, they can cause dull backache, mild irritation and lead to infections of the kidney called nephritis.

The intense pain results when these stones begin to travel from the kidneys and out into the bladder and urinary tract. Very small stones may pass without you even noticing. For those with larger stones, it is a completely different story. Severe pain accompanied by fever, nausea and extreme distress results. People at this stage are often hospitalized and prescribed very strong painkillers, such as morphine.

Kidney stones can contain calcium, amino acids, uric acid, or oxalic acid. Doctors determine stone type through testing or stone analysis. About 80% of kidney stones contain calcium. If you have passed a kidney stone, it is important to discover what type of stone it was, as this can help you to alter your diet and supplement regimen to address specific aggravating factors of each.

Key Causes of Kidney Stones

Other causes of kidney stones are: concentrated urine, a diet high in animal protein and dairy products, kidney infection, hyperparathyroidism, excess bone breakdown, and dehydration. Conventional treatment of kidney stones involves the use of painkillers until the stone has passed. Doctors use surgical techniques to break up stones that become lodged. Nutritional supplements may help prevent kidney stones. They may also help reduce pain during acute attacks.

Kidney Stone Support: Treatment Options

Balancing pH Levels & Calcium's Role

Proper calcium balance and absorption are crucial for the prevention and treatment of kidney stones.

Proper calcium balance helps prevent kidney stones. Calcium supports many essential functions, but excess blood calcium can create problems. The kidneys filter excess calcium from the bloodstream. This calcium can form crystals that eventually become stones. Over-acidity can increase blood calcium levels. They body pulls calcium from bones to neutralize excess acid. This process also contributes to osteoporosis. Excess calcium may then accumulate in the kidneys and form stones. Maintaining a healthy acid-alkaline balance may help reduce this risk. People with kidney stones should pay close attention to their pH. Family history also increases the risk of kidney stones. Those with affected relatives should take preventative measures and support healthy calcium metabolism through diet and lifestyle.

Using a green food supplement will usually raise your pH, making it more alkaline and thereby reducing the leaching of calcium. See the list below for types of green foods and dosages useful for balancing pH with respect to kidney stones. Avoid the mineral potassium that is often used to help neutralize acidity, as it can often irritate this condition. You can easily monitor your pH daily with convenient pH paper or an electronic pH meter. This allows you to alter your diet and supplement program accordingly.

Optimizing Calcium Absorption

Impaired calcium utilization can increase blood calcium levels. They body needs minerals and cofactors to use calcium properly. These nutrients help incorporacte calcium into bones and other tissues. Ensure that you are getting enough of the minerals silica, zinc, and magnesium, as they are all needed for the uptake of calcium by your bones. Also, ensure that you are getting enough fibre, as it helps the body excrete excess calcium that might otherwise be reabsorbed by the intestines when it is not needed. A daily fibre supplement is a convenient and effective way of increasing your fibre intake and reducing reabsorption of unneeded calcium. Other important nutrients for calcium utilization are: vitamin D, soya extracts, boron, and primrose oil.

Taking a calcium supplement does not cause kidney stones, although it is important that you take yours with a meal, as taking it on an empty stomach inhibits proper utilization. Ensure that it is of a high quality, such as a citrate or a chelate type. If you have osteoporosis, use the hydroxyapatite form, as it is the easiest to integrate into new bone mass and is less likely to contribute to higher calcium levels in the blood.

Kidney Stone Support: Prevention Tips

Dietary interventions to prevent kidney stones include drinking 2-2.5 litres of filtered water, juice or herbal tea daily, which keeps the urine diluted. If the stones contain uric acid, include black cherry juice in your fluid intake. To prevent concurrent kidney or bladder infections, drink unsweetened cranberry juice. Eat plant source protein, like beans, and egg whites. Consume foods that are high in B6 and vitamin A to prevent stones. This includes fish, whole grains, legumes, carrots, yams, apricots, peaches, cantaloupe and mangoes.

To avoid calcium oxalate stones, do not eat foods containing oxalic acid, for example, spinach, rhubarb and tomatoes. Minimize the consumption of sugar, caffeine, antacids, alcohol and salt because they increase urinary calcium. Animal protein and dairy products increase urinary calcium and uric acid, and should also be avoided.