How to Build Your Immune System

May 19th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Health Research

Our immune system does an incredible job of fighting off foreign germs inside our bodies, keeping us strong and healthy. Often, our immune system is not working to its full potential, though. Things like everyday stress, poor nutrition, and a sedentary lifestyle weaken our immune system. When our immune system is not working as well as it should, we have a good chance of becoming ill. Being sick takes a toll on the body and it can be difficult to get over some of the illnesses we get.

There are things you can do to build your immune system up and it doesn’t have to mean taking a pill or other medication. The easiest way to boost your immune system is to get the right nutrition every day and to eat a balanced diet. Certain foods are especially important and here is more information about these foods:

  • Citrus Fruits - Grapefruits, oranges and the other citrus fruits are very good for your immune system. Vitamin C found in these fruits is essential to the production of white blood cells and antibodies that our immune system need. Oranges can have as much as 75 mg of Vitamin C.
  • Carrots - The beta carotene in carrots is a nutrient that works together with our immune system to produce the cells that fight off the germs in our bodies and prevent infection. Another benefit to carrots is they contain falcarinol, which is thought to reduce the risk of developing cancer.
  • Garlic - Garlic can defend our bodies against infection. Many herbal remedies contain garlic. If you include garlic in your diet a few times a week, you will be healthier and your body will be stronger. It is best to eat raw, crushed garlic in order to get the most health benefits out of it especially with regard to fighting infection.
  • Yogurt - When you eat yogurt you are getting a lot of bacteria, which sounds bad but the kind of bacteria in yogurt is acidophilus bacteria, which is good for your immune system. This good bacteria helps the digestive system and fights bacteria in the body. Yogurt is very good for older people because of the bifidobacterium in it.
  • Oysters - Oysters are very high in zinc, which is a necessary nutrient that helps your body produce the antibodies your immune system needs. Oysters are also known to slow bacteria growth and the growth of viruses in your body.
  • Fatty Fish - The Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish like tuna and salmon are essential for the health and growth of your white blood cells that the immune system uses to fight germs. You can also get Omega-3 from a vitamin E supplement.

When you keep your immune system healthy and strong, you rarely need to take medications like antibiotics to get rid of infections and diseases in our bodies. Eating the foods listed above will help you do just that.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Detox Supplements: Stomach Ailments and Digestive Disturbances by Michael T. Murray N.D.

How You Can Benefit from Diet, Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs, Exercise, and Other Natural Methods

Stomach Ailments and Digestive Disturbances: How You Can Benefit from Diet, Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs, Exercise, and Other Natural Methods (Getting Well Naturally)51YQS2ZKYSL._SL160_ Detox Supplements: Stomach Ailments and Digestive Disturbances by Michael T. Murray N.D.

Stomach ailments such as heartburn and indigestion are a part of life, but common over-the-counter remedies actually impair the body’s ability to digest food.  In this book, renowned author Michael T. Murray explains how the digestive system operates and discusses conventional methods of treatment.  He then offers readers a series of alternative treatments.

This book shows you how to:

  • Help your digestive system work better instead of inhibiting its function
  • Use supplements to aid digestion
  • Use exercise to improve your digestion
  • Identify foods that may cause allergic reactions
  • Stop ulcers and intestinal problems from forming
  • Eliminate heartburn

Digestion is an essential component of good health, and Dr. Murray shows you how to naturally support your overall health by improving its ability to process foods.

About the Author

Michael T. Murray, N.D. is an internationally recognized authority on natural and alternative medicine.  He has made it his lifelong pursuit to educate both doctors and patients on the alternatives to allopathic medicine that can help them achieve optimum health without drugs or surgery.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Benefits of Colon Cleansing

January 27th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Health Research

Colon cleansing is a controversial medical procedure with some doctor’s saying it has benefits and others saying it is not worth it. Still, colon cleansing is becoming more and more popular.

The colon is that part of the digestive system that is responsible for getting rid of all the waste in the body. If the colon is not functioning as well as it should be, waste and other toxins continue to accumulate in the colon; an unhealthy colon cannot expel the waste matter as quickly as it should. This is where colon cleansing can be of benefit. Colon cleansing is said to help the body  by removing the waste.

In order to get your colon back in good working shape, you need to clean it out. The main ways of cleaning your colon are by using a machine that you insert that removes waste or by taking supplements that remove the waste. Both ways of cleansing the colon are effective in flushing out all the toxins and chemicals and also removin parasites that could be harming you. Once all this waste is gone, your body will be able to remove waste on its own more efficiently.

If the colon is full of chemicals and toxins, your digestive system can suffer. When your colon can’t remove waste, the waste gets backed up into your system and can cause problems in your whole body. Waste build up can affect all your organs and lead to increased risk of heart disease, allergies or arthritis.

You will get a lot of benefits out of colon cleansing like weight loss, improved skin tone and less stomach pains. Your whole body will work better and feel better.

Some experts say your body will remove these toxins and the extra waste in time on its own so there really is no need for colon cleansing. They don’t think a build up of waste is a potential problem. However, the diet we used to eat a thousand years ago is not the same as what we eat now. We don’t eat the natural unprocessed foods of the past anymore. Our bodies have to digest a lot of chemicals every day that it doesn’t know what to do with. Cleansing your colon will remove the toxins that build up from our current diet.

Colon cleansing alone isn’t the solution. You need to live a healthy lifestyle and eat a well balanced diet so that you don’t contribute to more waste build up. If you life a healthy lifestyle, colon cleansing from time to time will enhance your health. Getting regular colon cleansings does not mean that you don’t have to take care of your body and eat right.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Diagnosing Food Allergies

January 20th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Health Research

Often food allergies can come on suddenly in some people and they immediately have trouble breathing, start to swell up or go into shock. They can also be very itchy all of a sudden. This can be dangerous but if the reaction is obvious, it can usually be treated more efficiently. The people with food allergies who have less severe reactions find it harder to get treatment for their problems.

If you have mild reactions to foods, you can figure out what might be causing them by starting a food journal. Write down every piece of food that you eat and any reaction that the food caused, no matter how mild. You can do this in a plain notebook or on a calendar, whatever works best for you. You and your doctor can use your food journal determine which foods trigger your allergic reactions. With the help of your food journal, your doctor can determine how to treat your allergies.

You may find that you don’t actually have food allergies at all. Sometimes, our immune system attacks a food substance in our body because it thinks it is a danger to us. Your body generally has a bad reaction to the immune system’s attack on a harmless substance. This causes allergic reactions like swelling, itching, stomach problems, headaches, breathing problems or cold like symptoms. Writing down in your food journal any of the symptoms that occur is important in finding the right treatment for your problem.

Often people mistake stomach problems caused by certain foods for allergies. Instead, problems with the digestive system are usually to blame. If you find certain foods cause stomach and digestive problems, make sure you avoid these foods. There really isn’t any medicine to treat these problems. You may want to see your doctor if the problems keep coming back to rule out a more serious digestive problem.

Don’t try to treat your food allergies yourself. Go to your doctor and find out how to treat your problem and what foods to avoid. Not all food labels are the same so you may end up eating foods you are allergic to if they go by different names. You might also have a more serious problem than food allergies that you are not aware of. Let your doctor figure out what is wrong with you.

After meeting with you and discussing your food journal and your symptoms, your doctor may do an allergy test. The skin test that involves pricking your skin with allergens to see how you react is one of the most common ways to test for food allergy. Blood tests can also be helpful. Your doctor will give you a treatment plan for your allergies and help you prepare for a possible allergic reaction.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Food Allergies 101: Understanding Food Allergies

January 16th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Health Research

You probably know someone who has a food allergy of some kind but do you really understand what that means and how to tell if you might be affected as well?

An allergic reaction is easy to understand. Our body is always on the lookout for bacteria and viruses that could harm us. When our body finds something harmful, its natural reaction is to fight these dangerous substances. Our immune system works all the time to protect us from the harmful substances in our body. If our immune system gets weakened, we will get sick and maybe even seriously ill.

What happens with allergies is our body’s immune system starts to fight against substances that aren’t really dangerous like pet dander, pollen or certain food items. Depending on how serious of a problem this is in your body, your allergies could be extremely dangerous to your health.

Most food allergies are caused by the immune system attacking a certain protein in the food we are eating. Your body treats the protein you are allergic to as an invader that needs to be eliminated. This can happen quickly or it can occur a long time after eating the food. The food had to travel through your body and can react differently as it goes from your mouth to your stomach to your intestines.

Not every food that produces uncomfortable symptoms is one that you are allergic to. Sometimes all that is happening is your digestive system is having trouble processing a certain food making you feel uncomfortable and even ill. This does not mean that your immune system is attacking the food, though. If you are having trouble with certain foods, see a doctor to find out if you are having an allergic reaction.

It’s amazing how sensitive to certain foods people with food allergies can be. It may only take a tiny crumb size piece of a food like nuts to cause a reaction. Nuts are a food that usually causes very extreme reactions with only a small exposure to it. Some people are so allergic to nuts that just being in the same area as someone eating them or just smelling them can cause a dangerous reaction.

Sometimes, children will outgrow food allergies as they age. Some allergies are not likely to be outgrown while others are. You should know that these allergies can come back later in life without warning.

You should schedule an appointment with your doctor to find out if you truly have food allergies. Usually, the doctor will do an allergy test on your skin by pricking your skin and exposing you to allergens to see how you react. Blood tests can also be used. A doctor will be able to help you deal with your food allergies and tell you what to do if you have a reaction.

Food allergies do not have to have a major impact on your life if you educate yourself and know how to treat a reaction should one occur. Food allergies can be dealt with easily for most people.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Colon Cleansing, Weight Loss & You!

January 7th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Health Research

Many people swear by colon cleansing to feel better, lose weight and stay healthy. It is becoming more and more accepted as a health treatment. Here is some information about colon cleansing and how it can help you lose weight.

The colon’s purpose is to remove waste from the food that we eat. Most people’s diets these days include a lot of processed foods. These foods make it much more difficult for the colon to do its job. Much of the toxins and waste products accumulate in the colon; they petrify and eventually cause health problems. What colon cleansing does is get rid of the leftover waste and toxins from the colon so it can work more efficiently, encouraging the body to process food in a more efficient manner.

Most people notice an immediate weight loss when they start with colon cleansing. This is because colon cleansing is able to flush out most of the waste matter that as accumulated in the colon.  After you have been on a colon cleansing routine for a while, you will continue to lose weight because you will be absorbing more nutrients and less waste will be left in the colon. A colon that is working well helps with weight loss.

Most people don’t think about their digestive system as it relates to weight control; we often associate weight control with exercise and diet.  A typical diet where you eat less and exercise more doesn’t take into consideration that your metabolism will usually decrease to make up the difference. Treating your digestive system so it is at its healthiest is a good way to lose weight.

One of the benefits of colon cleansing is increased stamina and energy. If you want to work on shedding off those unwanted pounds, you can take that extra energy and turn it into exercise. You will wake up feeling better every day and have a better outlook on life when you are not feeling tired and sluggish. Also, some of the added energy comes from your body being able to get more nutrients out of the food you eat.

Colon cleansing is a great tool for improving your health and even losing weight. It is just one tool in the toolbox, though! You need to have a well balanced diet and exercise in order to feel your best. You also need to make sure you cut back on processed foods and eat more fresh vegetables and fruits.

Like any medical treatment, you need to do some research about colon cleansing and make sure you know what you are doing and that you use a safe product or program. Also, talk to your doctor about your plans and get his or her advice.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Master Cleanse: Fact & Fiction

May 17th, 2008 | No Comments | Posted in Master Cleanse

The Master Cleanse is one of the most-famous fasting diets around. Also known as the “Lemonade Diet,” the Master Cleanse is very simple to follow and extremely affordable.lemons The Master Cleanse: Fact & Fiction

Many people have used the Master Cleanse with outstanding results, but this is not a cleanse for those faint of heart! The name the “Lemonade Diet” is not really accurate, but this is how many people have referred to it since its inception over 50 years ago because lemon juice is the main ingredient used.

What to Expect with The Master Cleanse

On The Master Cleanse, you will drink a mixture of lemon juice, maple syrup, water, and cayenne pepper. This concoction will be consumed at room temperature, and the cleanse will ideally last for ten days. You can drink as much juice as you like on the cleanse, but it must be this spicy lemon concoction every time!

You will also need to drink a laxative tea each day to make sure that you do not become constipated. In addition, each morning, you need to drink a 32-ounce warm water and sea salt concoction called, “the top-down enema…” yikes!

The sea salt cocktail stimulates your digestive system and usually causes a bowel movement within an hour—but sometimes sooner! If this process works for you, you may not need to use the laxative tea at all.

The Master Cleanse is meant to assist your body in ridding itself of accumulated toxins. Many people have experienced the following benefits:

  • weight loss
  • boosted energy
  • clearer skin
  • improved digestion
  • improved vision
  • improved taste

Doctors as well as consumers have reported all of these positive side effects, which is why many people continue to use The Master Cleanse even though it was developed over 50 years ago.

While The Master Cleanse has proved to be very helpful for a lot of people, if you are looking for hard evidence of its benefits you may have to keep looking!

There is no empirical evidence to support most of the claims, but with so many people raving about their results, it’s hard to ignore the fact that this is a viable option for health seekers.

It’s important to look into The Master Cleanse and consider all of the potential risks and benefits before starting it. If you are unsure, it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor and get some feedback before you begin.

This Master Cleanse phenomenon was started by a self-published health writer named Stanley Burroughs who was eventually put on trial for second degree murder in the state of California after one of his patients died under his care. Despite this tragedy, Burrough’s cleanse remains more popular now than ever before!

Tags: , , , , ,