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Living With Hyperacusis – Noise Sensitivity

Eileen Burns Pain Management, Chronic Conditions, health , , , , 1 Comment
The Challenges Of Living With Hyperacusis - Noise Sensitivity Pain In Ears by Eileen Burns

The Challenges Of Living With Hyperacusis ( Noise Sensitivity)

The Challenges Of Living With Hyperacusis. What is Hyperacusis?  And why is hyperacusis such a misunderstood and extremely challenging condition?

So What Is Hyperacusis?

Hyperacusis is an abnormal sensitivity to sound. For those suffering from severe hyperacusis, especially very painful hypersensitivity, it can be an extremely debilitating hearing condition that doesn’t just cause discomfort but for someone like myself at times horrendous pain.

Now sadly even medical professionals confuse Hyperacusis with Misophonia which is a dislike to particular sounds. There is also a perception that the person is experiencing just sensitivity and uncomfortableness but for some of us the pain can be literally so painful it can feel like someone is stabbing you in the ear.

 

My Own Story Living With Hyperacusis

I was always slightly more aware of sounds than my siblings I would wake up with noises that other people would sleep through. But noise sensitivity only started to become a life-changing condition over 8 years ago after I ended up in ICU with sepsis. Caused by a dental complication that led me to have nerve damage, lockjaw, and osteomyelitis.

Now I had previous weakness in this area, previous nerve damage and trauma from an injury, a previous dental issue and a rare medical condition that left me quite vulnerable to temporomandibular issues.

My Own Story Living With Hyperacusis  I was always slightly more aware of sounds than my siblings I would wake up with noises that other people would sleep through. But noise sensitivity only started to become a life-changing condition over 8 years ago after I ended up in ICU with sepsis. Caused by a dental complication that led me to have nerve damage, lockjaw, and osteomyelitis. Now I had previous weakness in this area, previous nerve damage, and trauma from an injury, and a rare medical condition that left me quite vulnerable to temporomandibular issues. But anyway after recovering from sepsis, which left me with a lot of weakness, and nerve damage down the right side of my face, neck, and body. I developed a lot of problems with certain levels, and types of sounds to my right ear, that would literally cause me to lose my balance. I also had developed a complex movement disorder and what is regarded as non-epileptic seizures which all seem to be seriously triggered by vibration and noise.

But after recovering from sepsis, I was left with a lot of weakness, and nerve damage down the right side of my face, neck, and body. I developed a lot of problems with certain levels, and types of vibrations and sounds to my right side that would literally cause me to lose my balance.

I also had developed a complex movement disorder and what is regarded as non-epileptic seizures which all seem to be seriously triggered by vibration and noise. And all sorts of co-ordination and motor skill issues.

Now the level of noise sensitivity and pain in my right ear became so unbearably painful that I couldn’t handle so many everyday sounds.

My ear and jaw would become very warm and at times the muscles in my jaw would twitch. The horrendous pain was one thing the effect on my conscious and my functioning was something else. It would be like this weird surge of electrical energy in my bring that would like short circuit.  I would end up in pain for days. But despite this level of disability, no Doctor would send me to get my ear checked or tested.

Now initially there was more focus on the cause of other issues, I had the complex movement disorder, non-epileptic seizures, and other neurological issues I had, fine motor skill issues I had. But no one could give me any answers.

I was simply told there was nothing we can do for you. Issues which made me housebound because I would have no control over my body. My body would go into constant violent jerking and spasms so I wouldn’t be able to walk outside etc.

And the pain in my ear would be so painful as Tom Maholchic in the video Hyperacusis with Pain describes the sound “explodes in my head” and as another person says in this video is “like an ice pick in my ear”

 

My Diagnosis Of Hyperacusis

Now to get a proper diagnosis of hyperacusis one of the tests you need to get is a ULL uncomfortable loudness level test. But in many areas sadly this is not readily available from the NHS and well even more challenging is that many doctors don’t even realise that Hyperacusis is an actual real condition, my G.P. didn’t.

So despite noise sensitivity for years, increasing levels of pain, and seizures, and doing everything I possibly could to help myself I still hadn’t been seen by an audiologist.

It was only when I discovered I could get a private hearing testing at home which would include a ULL test that things changed. The audiologist was very surprised at what the ULL test showed in relation even to the decibels that correlate with normal speech.

For this reason, the audiologist sent a letter to my GP recommending further testing. But even when I finally saw an ENT specialist and the audiologist couldn’t complete the test because of the harm it was having on me. The Dr had no interest in trying to help me,  he was extremely dismissive.

I was then sent to a Tinnitus Clinic, given information sheets and recommendations to treat tinnitus, with only a tiny paragraph that mentioned a bit about hyperacusis. At least in this clinic the practitioner actually asked me a lot of questions especially around my underlying medical conditions, the injury I had, and she was also very interested in the research that I had done.

She was honest that the clinic didn’t really treat hyperacusis, she commented they knew nothing about Lyme Disease which is known to cause hyperacusis and other neurological issues and my particular issues were very rare. So I had to find my own solutions in how to live with hyperacusis, how to reduce and treat my sound sensitivity.

 

The Difficulties Of Living With Hyperacusis

The biggest problem I believe living with hyperacusis for many is that firstly many Doctors and medical professionals don’t actually realise that is a real condition one that can be extremely disabling. A seriously under-researched condition, and as MD Timothy Hain suggests one most in audiology appears to have very outdated views.

Many sufferers living with Hyperacusis are neglected and discriminated against because of myths around sound sensitivity. Some people might find some noises annoying, uncomfortable while others suffer tremendous pain like me.

Those few hyperacusis with pain rarely get any help, support, or treatment. Although there is a lot more types of treatment available in the United States.

The facts are sound sensitivity is not something that is well researched or something that many neurologists or audiologists actually study.

And then even worse some confuse hyperacusis with misophonia ( fear of loud sounds). Now I also have Parry Romberg’s Disease and I have also have had more than a few diagnoses of different conditions including mercury poisoning, lyme disease and some others in my list of different causes of hyperacusis.

 

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Different Causes Of Hyperacusis

According to Timothy Hain MD, it is considered Hyperacusis may be associated with damage to the inner ear but there is a lot of debate around that.

We do know there are many different conditions and causes linked to hyperacusis these include

  • Autism Spectrum Disorders, Aspergers
  • Chronic Noise Exposure, such as a noisy working environment
  • Central Nervous System Disorders, Brain stem issues
  • Deficiencies – Magnesium
  • Disrupted attenuation reflex as seen in Bells Palsy, M.S,  Menieres Disease
  • Medication – Certain medications for example the antibiotic Ciprofloxacin, psychoactive drugs  LSD, methaqualone, phencyclidine (angel-dust)  have been associated with hyperacusis.
  • Head Injury Of Trauma
  • Late- Stage Lyme Disease
  • Nerve Damage, Facial Nerve Palsy
  • Surgery To The Ear
  • Williams Syndrome, a genetic disorder where hyperacusisis a symptom.
  • Toxicity, Oxotoxicity one reason why you should avoid the overuse of ear drops, get the right medical treatment for ear infections, and ear wax removal.

The reality is according to Haines it is time the audiology community starts realising that living with hyperacusis is extremely debilitating, that hyperacusis sufferers are not the cause of their disease.

For a long time, Hyperacusis was viewed by some as psychologically when it is simply an area of medical science that we don’t know enough about.

Different Treatments For Recovering From And Living With Hyperacusis

Although presently there is no technical standard treatment for Hyperacusis especially for those of us with severe pain. There are many who have sound sensitivity that benefit from de-sensitization programs or relaxation therapy. I personally tried de-sensitization the first few years it made things worse.

In fact for me the more I removed myself from the pain, the less pain and other complications I aid. I actually have been a stress management trainer, meditation teacher, and coach for many years, and I actually teach relaxation therapy.

The Doctor who appeared to have no interest in helping, initially told me to stop using earphones or earbuds. But this was completely impractical as exposing myself to even everyday sounds caused me to lose my balance, fall, lose control of my body, have seizures, and be in horrendous pain for days. I

couldn’t even walk out the door myself. I could only expose myself to certain sounds for small periods in a healthy way when the inflammation and pain in my jaw, nerves, and ear were reduced.

Now although when writing this, I am still predominately housebound, I am getting better slowly. I can now listen to the TV if it’s down very low. I can handle normal speech if it’s not at a high pitch, without jerking about or feeling is if I am being stabbed in my ear.

Luckily for me, I have found a combination of things that have helped me reduce the constant high levels of pain. I still can’t go out on my own and certain sounds and pitches cause me to have all sorts of issues but I am getting there.

 

Helpful Living With Hyperacusis

These are a few of the things that I found helpful living with hyperacusis.

  1. Dub Earbuds which reduce the decibel of sound in your ear/ears – Invaluable at the initial stages helped me be able to talk on the phone and work online.
  2. Herbal Treatment For Bacterial Co-Infections  Associated With Lyme Disease
  3. Better Denture – I have a lot of TMJ and rare teeth issues, the better the denture the better support for your mouth
  4. Mouth Guard – A well-fitting mouthguard really helped to reduce pain in the jaw and nerves
  5. Craniosacral Therapy – I found craniosacral helpful at releasing a lot of cranial pressure, nerve issues
  6. Magnesium, Vitamin B6 ( Pyridoxine) – Some suggest magnesium and B6 deficiency can be a cause of hyperacusis
  7. Muscle Therapy, Physiotherapy exercises to support the neck and head muscles.
  8. Meditation – Thank goodness I learned meditation many years ago, a life safer to cope with extremely challenging situations and of course reduces anxiety and stress.
  9. Relaxation Therapy – Helps to relax the muscles, nerves as much as I can  luckily this has been one of my areas of expertise for many years and has helped me cope
  10. Visit a Chiropractor to help solve any alignment and trauma injury to the body, this can make a huge difference to many people.
  11. Motor Imagery and L/R Discrimination Techniques.

Common Recommendations For Recovering From Hyperacusis

  • Use Of White Noise Machine
  • Medical Treatment For Any Ear Infection
  • Proper Ear Wax Removal- – Don’t ever use cotton buds.
  • Meditation – I am lucky to have been a meditation teacher for many years and thankfully this helped me keep sane.
  • Relaxation Therapy – I have taught Relaxation Therapy for many years and for most people with stress-induced hypersensitivity relaxation techniques can be very helpful.
  • Stress Management – Stress will increase symptoms of hyperacusis so it is important to manage your stress.
  • Trauma Therapy – There is a wide range of trauma therapies available that can be helpful to some types of noise sensitivity or sound intolerances.

Also, it should be a must that if you have any sort of ear pain that you do get it checked, that you get treated for an ear infection and that you always get ear wax removed by a professional.

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Is Your Health Your Responsibility?

The World Of Health healthy body, childrens health, health, toxins, wellness , , , , , , 3 Comments
Your Health Your Responsibility - Is Your Health Your Doctors Or Governments Responsibility

Is Your Health Your Responsibility?

Is your health your responsibility, or is your health your Dr’s responsibility?

Are we as a society giving over too much responsibility and control around our health to allopathic medicine and governments? Should governments or medical professionals be able to force medical interventions or take away a persons right to choose?

Is Your Health Your Government’s Responsibility?

One of the things we are seeing around the world today is situations where governments are forcing their people to have medical interventions, more specifically vaccinations without the right to choose.

Is this a step too far in taking away our human rights and body autonomy?

Could this be a step towards a more serious agenda where governments start to take more control over what they think is right for your health and wellbeing?

As someone who has been on more than one occasion being a victim of damage from mainstream medical intervention. And as a therapist who sadly has worked with a variety of people harmed by modern medicine.

I find it extremely disturbing how much control over your health is being pushed, advised by governments officials and advisors, some who are not really the most qualified to do so.

So many top Scientists, Virologists and Immunologists around the world are being censored or being silenced from sharing their alarming concerns or opinions. Concerns on not just how this so called Pandemic has been dealt with but questions around the statistics, the testing, the choice of therapeutic interventions and the psychological media that has accompanied this.

I could go more deeply into my concerns around not just the lack of expertise by some of these people behind the decisions. But perhaps the most serious concerns should be the money trails, the conflict of interests by many who have shares or received financial gifts in some form or another by the companies that are being used to roll out their preferred management of this pandemic.

Such as the choice of testing, the experimental vaccines that they cannot possibly guarantee is safe or that will be effective in the long-term. Especially when certain types of disease was excluded from the first phases of trials and the fact we don’t or can’t possibly know the long-term effects in a few months, few years and a few decades.

The reality is most decisions at the moment are not being made right now by the most qualified people in their field but by people in power or who will make financial or other types of large gain from these decisions.

Sadly by too many people in power who have horrendous reputations for putting their own agendas first.  A situation where millions around the world are having their human rights, their rights of personal autonomy being taking away from them. Too many being forced, manipulated, even shamed and bullied into have an experimental vaccine who are at an extremely very very low risk of dying from Covid 19 from a situation according to one paper in the Lancet is more asyndemic than a pandemic.

 

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Should We Trust Forced Medical Interventions

Should we ever allow our governments to force any sort of medical treatment or medical invasive intervention without someone’s agree consent and permission?

And should we be informed honestly about the possible risks. So many of the family and friends that I have spoken to had no idea that we were still in trial phases.

Even medical professionals I know are shocked at how many of their co-workers are ill informed.To me our health is mostly our responsibility, our health choices is our responsibility, we all should have choice. I mean you choose if you eat healthy or you don’t? You choose if you exercise or if you don’t? You can choose to have an operation or not.

The reality is we keep getting told about the facts, we keep getting implications that getting the vaccine is more safe, But it is? How can we possibly know so early on. Sadly I personally know of one person who has had a very serious reaction to one of vaccines one and a friends aunt who felt very ill after the vaccine and then died.

In this case they could not prove it was the vaccine like many cases even though the person had no health issues before. Now I know we are faced with difficulties choice there is a virus that is life threatening to some, especially to those with certain types of pre-existing conditions.

But I also wonder why people are not being given other options, why our governments ae not looking at other medical interventions. Or even providing everyone with supplements that are known to support the immune system.Why has our government never mentioned throughout this

Pandemic the basic fundamental importance of good nutrition, healthy eating? Do our governments really want to promote health and wellbeing or do they just want to promote big pharma interventions, especially at a time when profits in big pharma were starting to decline. Especially when so many government officials who make these decisions actually have shares or links to these companies.

 

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So Should We Totally Trust Big Pharma?

Now the reality is yes many scientists, will have worked very hard, made many sacrifices in their own life to create these vaccines. But the reality is these vaccines have been fast tracked, most are still in experimental stage till 2023. But many people don’t realise that, they don’t actually realise they in many ways they are part of the experiment. Most people have no idea of the amount of scientists in this field who have had deep concerns about these vaccines and that some of these jabs are created with a new type of new science that has never been used before.

Unfortunately we know governments and modern medicine have made horrendous mistakes throughout the years. I became shocked on my own journey on how little many Doctors and Nurses knew about the medication they prescribed and the vaccines they promoted, Most never do their own research, most only check out the information they are told by their supervisors or basic information provided because they trust the NHS and trust that these companies have the patients interests at heart. But what is more important in the world today health or money? Also is saving money on certain types of treatments put before what is actual more safe or best for someone’s health?

The wiser more experienced Doctor who has sadly seen the other side of the coin tends to do their own medical research. They tend to ask questions and challenge what they are told.  But even that today has become harder in approx October 2019 google started to lower the SEO rankings of many medical research papers and holistic research papers that didn’t suit certain agenda. Meaning it would be much harder for people to find certain articles and medical papers that didn’t align with what the medical and pharmaceutical industry wanted you to read. So basically it became even harder for the patient, the clinician and even experts to find information that wasn’t pharmaceutically or politically bias.

Well lets say they took that bias to a whole new level in 2020 and 2021 through such unbelievable censorship that we have come to question if we are indeed living in a communist country. We just need to see the amount of censorship on Social Media and TV, to see the amount of influence our governments and organisations linked to pharma have on the media and the narrative they want to serve.

But should we be surprised? Perhaps more alarmed we all know that big pharma has a certain reputation for being more about profit than genuine public health interest. And its attempted cover ups of so much harm and damage throughout the years, the source of the Opioid Crisis, and so many cover ups in vaccine damage especially in 3rd world countries. And even more horrendous involvement in human experimentation during World War 2. The “statistically significant correlation between Thimerosal exposure via vaccines and several neurodevelopmental disorders ” and the deaths Of Indian Girls who got the HPV Vaccine that was again attempted to be covered up.

Is Your Health Your Responsibility or your Dr's responsibilityWhy Your Health Is Your Responsibility And Your Choice

I believe your health has to start as your responsibility and it is so important to become informed about your health and wellbeing so you can make educated choices. After a long list of horrendous medical experiences on my own journey. I came to realise how little many medical professionals know about the possible harm and damage of many of things they prescribe or use in modern medicine, And in the modern world we give our power over to many times to people we assume know best.

So how much does your medical practitioners honestly know about the dangers, allergies and serious side effects of so many medical interventions and vaccines today? Many don’t ever see the correlation, the short- term and long-term damage. But sadly some of my work involved supporting families dealing with children disabled by vaccine damage.

Most people have no awareness today how much vaccine damage there is and actually more concerning how much is not reported or published. I know through personal experience that most Doctors rarely report serious allergies or harm by medication or medical interventions using the yellow card.

The Biggest Causes Of Disease Today

We know the biggest causes of disease today are lifestyle choices and toxins. So what you eat, what you do or don’t do, what you drink, smoke or how you manage your life and stress will impact your health and wellbeing. Alongside things like poverty, bad housing, certain occupations, education, culture and environment can all impact our health. But many chronic health challenges today that makes us more vulnerable to certain diseases that are caused by own health choices and our exposure to modern day toxins.

In-fact in our modern world many people are under nourished simply because of poor and unhealthy eating. They have a poor immune system, inflammation, digestive issues because of what they consume and don’t consume. Many diseases today can be eliminated by a more healthy clean diet and lifestyle, so yes the medical system are often trying to treat the symptoms rather than prevent the most life-threatening diseases.

These words and thoughts are only my thoughts and wonders around my experiences and many of the people I have worked with. Experiences of my own, my clients, colleagues and friends in the holistic industry, the Dr.s, Nurses, Pharmacists and Scientists who have left mainstream modern medicine who believe in Do No Harm First.

Modern medicine, modern science is an incredible thing, modern medicine says millions of life’s every day.  There are many government officials, doctors and nurses who genuinely care are faced with many difficult dilemmas and challenges every single day. But I believe when we give our body, our health autonomy to anyone else, especially our government, or medical field we are basically handing over our personal freedom, our personal human rights. A very very frightening step towards giving them so much more control to do as they will.

 

 

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Household Toxins – How Toxic Is Your Home

The World Of Health toxins, aromatherapy, health, healthy body, healthy skin, lifestyle , , , , 1 Comment
Household Toxins – How Toxic Is Your Home

Common Household Toxins – How Toxic Is Your Home?

Some of the most common household toxins that could be making you sick. Toxins in your cleaning products, your skin, and body care, in your furniture, bedding even clothes.

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The Dangers Of Common Household Toxins

One of the things I started to become aware of in my early twenties was how much we are surrounded by industrial and household toxins. Toxins can have a serious impact on our health and wellbeing. But even though we have seen a dramatic increase in not just household toxins over the last 50 years but also toxic medical treatments. Very few seem to want to do anything about it. It seems we have created a world and society that seems to put money, power, and convenience over health.

With such a dramatic increase in indoor and household toxins no wonder so, many of us end up with allergies, cancers, unexplained illnesses, and disease. The reality is a highly toxic body makes it difficult for the body to function and heal.

My Own Journey Into Toxins

natural make up toxic free makeup natural cosmetics

At the age of 17, I studied Clothing & Fashion at college and went on to work for two different dressmakers and designers. The first was a small business, the second a designer for high-end evening wear and wedding dresses.

During both of these experiences, I started to develop symptoms from the toxic effects of toxic substances on the fabrics. Especially in the Glasgow job where the fabrics would come into the fabric with some sort of fabric coating

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The Dangers Of Mercury

Now a year before I took this job my health had taken a bit of a battering after an incident when an elderly dentist put mercury up a root canal instead of my actual tooth  Within a few days my

health deteriorated

very quickly, at first it seemed like a very severe flu plus a lot of other very strange symptoms.  Muscle weakness, complete exhaustion, in fact I was so weak, my body was trembling, I became extremely breathless, I suffered Parasthesia and my first experience of temporary paralysis from the neck down. I also suffered extreme muscle and joint pain, extremes in temperature, and digestive issues.

Sadly a lot of the fatigue and exhaustion never left me. It made walking between my train and bus journeys very difficult. But I also started to become overly sensitive to a lot of products, scents, cleaning products around me, and what I consumed.

The Dangers of Fluorescin

Not long after the mercury accident, my sight in my left eye started to seriously deteriorate. So I was given a Fluorescein angiography in which I took a serious allergic reaction collapsing at the hospital.

A ” fluorescein angiography is a medical procedure in which a fluorescent dye is injected into the bloodstream. The dye highlights the blood vessels in the back of the eye so they can be photographed. This test is often used to manage eye disorders.” Healthline.com

For over, a week I was very yellow, several weeks I felt breathless and had a fast heart-rate.

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The Dangers Of Isopropyl Alcohol

About a year later I manage to get some of my health back and went on to study music at college but then I kept collapsing in the recording studio. No one could understand the cause especially me, until years later. When I would find out how toxic isopropyl was, something that was used to clean the reel to reels in the recording studio at the time. And something we all carried in a bottle when working in the study.

Now Isopropyl Alcohol is regarded as a hazardous substance

it is known to have serious side-effects and is actually widely used in the cosmetic industry.

Sadly my health declined so much so, I ended up having to come home and stay with my parents, spend large chunks of the rest of my twenties largely housebound and bedbound. During this period I researched, learned, and met many practitioners who opened my eyes to how toxic our world had become.

These experiences made me aware of the level of toxicity that is around us. It was also one of the reasons I choose to go on a more clean diet, to eliminate a lot of toxic products in my foods. One of the reasons I trained in holistic therapies.

Common Household Toxins That Could Be Making You Sick

Toxic Products in your homeFungal And Mold Toxins – Other common household toxins that most people are unaware of is all the different types of mold and fungi, which are highly toxic. It is said that 1 in 3 people form an allergy to mold in their life.

*3Myotoxins can be a contributor to all sorts of health conditions and diseases, especially those related to the immune system and lungs.

Heavy Metals – Heavy Metals such as aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury can be extremely toxic to the body. It is commonly found in, amalgam fillings, antiperspirants, building materials, lead paint, pesticides, some seafood, tap water, vaccines…

They can contribute to neurological diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, cancer, a reduction in the biology of red and white blood cells.

VOC’s Volatile Organic Compounds – According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency VOC’s are “Volatile organic compounds are compounds that have a high vapor pressure and low water solubility.

Many VOCs are human-made chemicals that are used and produced in the manufacture of paints, pharmaceuticals, and refrigerants. “

They are products that vapourize easily and emit gases. Examples of VOC household toxins include electronics, building materials, carpets, furnishings; sofas, mattresses, paint, plastic. As well as craft materials, air fresheners, cleaning products, varnishes, deodorants, shampoo, and cosmetics.

Pesticides – Sadly a lot of pesticides are used in the growing of a lot of the fruit, vegetables, and meat you may buy. One reason which you should always clean your fruit and vegetables when you buy.  See Recipe For Cleaning.

Pesticide household toxins are also in different types of pest control sprays, as well as lawn and garden treatments.

PVC And Phalates. Polyvinol Chloride and Phalates are another commonly known household toxin that is commonly seen in plastic wrap ( clingfilm) plastic food storage products, plastic bottles, shower curtains, children’s toys, cosmetics. Because phthalates chemically act like hormones they can alter the hormones, alter the endocrine system so can be very harmful to the development of children.

Living In A Toxic World

I think most people today have no idea how toxic modern living is, how toxic many foods are, how toxic our home is, and even how toxic many medicines are. But there are many documentary films and movies written around about the horrendous dangers of toxins in our world and our households. But for a variety of reasons they are never encouraged and promoted.

You just need to look a the film The Devil We Know and Dark Waters to see not just the serious health dangers of perfluorooctanoic acid  (PFOA, also known as C8), the key ingredient in Teflon. A highlight to the types of corruption that surrounds a lot of manufacturing who know they are selling potentially highly toxic products.

This is one of the reasons I am a big advocate for a reduction in toxic products, I am a big consumer of a lot of natural and organic products especially those that I use to support my health, wellbeing, and self-care. It is one of the reasons I am a distributor for NYR Organics and an Ambassador for Tropic.

 

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Alzheimers Diet – Preventing And Reversing Cognitive Decline

Amyless Amos Founder of Amos Institute - Dietician and Nutritionist health, healthy body, healthy eating, nutrition, vitamins, wellness , , , 2 Comments
The Alzheimers Diet - How To Prevent Cognitive Decliine In ALzheimer Sufferers

The Alzheimers Diet: How to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline by Amylee Amos

Why choose the Alzheimers Diet. Worldwide, about 50 million people are suffering from dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and the emotional and financial toll of this disease is monumental. Alzheimer’s disease is now considered to be the 3rd leading cause of death with no pharmaceutical drugs available to effectively treat the disease, though not for lack of trying on the part of the pharmaceutical industry.

Alzheimer’s drug development has the highest failure rate of any other disease, at 99.6%. That equates to billions of dollars thrown into potential treatments that do shockingly little to slow the progress, reverse the symptoms, or even prevent the disease. The five drugs that have been approved for Alzheimer’s treatment do very little to help the millions of people suffering from the cognitive losses and devastation associated with Alzheimer’s.   

Fortunately, recent research demonstrates that Alzheimer’s is not the idiopathic disease it was once believed to be. In fact, the causes and contributors of an individual’s Alzheimer’s disease can be pinpointed and treated. Contributors to the programmatic downsizing of the brain that is Alzheimer’s disease include physiological processes such as chronic inflammation, imbalanced oxidative stress, and impaired glycemic control. These factors are all highly influenced by our diet. Thus, adopting an Alzheimers diet is critical in the attempt to prevent and reverse cognitive decline.

Can Alzheimer’s Disease Be Prevented and Reversed?

 

The mainstream medical community is always quick to comment that there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. This just means that no silver bullet approach to preventing or reversing Alzheimer’s exists. You can’t just pop a pill and reverse your Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, because their outdated approach to treating chronic diseases fails in the case of Alzheimer’s, the conventional medicine community remains steadfast in their misguided claim that there is no effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. 

The truth is that through a targeted therapeutic approach, Alzheimer’s disease can be prevented and the symptoms can be reversed, such as using the alzheimers diet.

In 2018, practitioners from multiple clinical sites published the reversal of cognitive decline in 100 patients while following a multi-targeted approach. This approach, which adheres to the functional medicine model of addressing the underlying root causes of disease is known as the Bredesen Protocol.

Through the Bredesen Protocol practitioners are able to identify the individual metabolic imbalances of each patient and use a systems based approach to treat each imbalance, thereby identifying and treating the root cause of the imbalance, rather than simply masking the symptoms. The result is the reversal of cognitive decline. 

What Is The Alzheimers Diet?

Alzheimers Diet Dr Bredesen Protocol To Reverse Cognitive Decline In Alzheimers Disease. The healthy alzheimer's diet for treating alzheimer symptoms

The ideal Alzheimer’s diet to prevent and reverse cognitive decline must be individualized to the patient to ensure that it addresses the root cause of that person’s metabolic imbalances.

However, there are some nutritional components that all those wishing to prevent cognitive decline should adopt. Adjusting one’s nutritional habits to reflect the Alzheimers diet is the first step in preventing cognitive decline.

The foundation of the Alzheimer’s diet is whole, predominantly plant-based foods including non-starchy vegetables, low glycemic fruits, quality proteins, and healthy fats.

Clients following the Alzheimers diet are encouraged to eat foods that have been well-studied for their cognitive benefits including leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, berries, low mercury fatty fish, extra virgin olive oil, and walnuts.

Eliminating Processed Fats and Refined Carbohydrates

 

The diet eliminates highly processed packaged foods, simple and added sugars, processed meats, and refined carbohydrates.

Animal products in general are minimized depending on the specifics of an individual’s drivers of inflammation.

Consuming adequate amounts of the recommended foods provides the nutrients, specifically the micro and phytonutrients that the brain needs to support neuronal and synaptic growth and function. Avoiding the foods not recommended prevents ongoing inflammation and resolves oxidative stress and cellular dysfunction.

Fasting On The Alzheimer’s Diet

Additionally, clients following the Alzheimers diet are encouraged to fast for a period of at least 12 hours overnight, with the first three hours occurring between finishing dinner and going to bed. This fast allows for the client to reap the full physiological benefits of sleep, including the natural clearance of beta-amyloid plaques from the brain.

How To Implement The Alzheimers Diet

The Alzheimer’s diet should be tailored to meet the unique needs of the individual in order to receive the most enhanced cognitive benefit. At the Amos Institute, clients receive an immersive and individualized nutrition plan that incorporates the major components of the Alzheimer’s diet, with specifications related to their personal drivers of cognitive decline, genetics, and biochemistry.

This is particularly important when considering the genetic variant ApoE4, the genetic variant most commonly associated with increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Individuals with this variant demonstrate what is known as decreased cerebral glucose utilization, meaning that their brains do not effectively utilize carbohydrates as a fuel source.

To bypass these impaired metabolic pathways, individuals with this genetic variant are encouraged to achieve a state of mild ketosis. Creating a ketogenic diet based largely on plant foods can be challenging, which is why seeking the help of functional medicine-trained dietitians is so critical for proper implementation. This is where partnering with a program and practitioners such as those from the Amos Institute is so beneficial to success in recovery.

Reversing The Symptoms Of Alzheimers Disease

Reversing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline is incredibly difficult, but the research shows that it can be done. If you believe you are at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, start implementing the Alzheimers diet right away.

If you are already suffering from cognitive decline, seek the expertise and structure of a cognitive health program to begin optimizing your nutrition and lifestyle to reverse your cognitive decline. In the words of Dr. Dale Bredesen, if we all start to implement an Alzheimers diet and other lifestyle factors, “Alzheimer’s disease should be- and shall be- a rare disease.” *

Writer Bio – Amylee Amos Dietician and Nutritionist

 

Amylee Amos MS, RDN, IFMCP founded the Amos Institute to specialize in the implementation of the Bredesen Protocol. She graduated with a Master of Science in Nutrition, Healthspan, & Longevity from the University of Southern California’s Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.

She has trained under Dr. Dale Bredesen and received certification in the Bredesen Protocol from MPI Cognition. She is one of the only dietitians in the United States who is certified by the Institute for Functional Medicine, a new high-level achievement for leading medical providers.

 
Low Cost Holistic Health Course

What Are The Health Benefits Of Turmeric?

Sophie Nazareth wellness, alternative medicine, ayurveda, health, natural medicine , , , 2 Comments
health benefits of turmeric

What Are The Health Benefits Of Turmeric?

Learn about the health benefits of turmeric, regarded as the star of the spice world. Known as ‘the Golden Spice’, the turmeric root has been used in Indian cuisine and traditional Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. It is famous for its vibrant yellow colour and has a warm bitter taste. Also known as Curcuma longa—a member of the ginger family, it is primarily cultivated from the rhizomes, or roots, of the flowering turmeric plant in India and other parts of Southeast Asia.

 

Research On Health Benefits Of Turmeric

Research has shown that turmeric has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which can support brain and gut health, promote a healthy immune system and benefit a range of inflammatory conditions. Registered Nutritional therapist Clarrissa Lenherr states that ‘turmeric has been shown in emerging science to be anti-inflammatory, so it can really help bring down inflammation that can occur in the body, whether that is from poor diet, stress, stimulant use, pollution, and lots of causes.’ You can watch Clarrissa explain the benefits of turmeric and curcumin and why she is a fan of Your Bodhi Natural Turmeric

 

Active Ingredients In Turmeric

Turmeric is made up of bioactive compounds, collectively known as curcuminoids. Curcumin is the primary curcuminoid and the most active ingredient in turmeric. Research shows that curcumin is a powerful polyphenol with anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to increase the amount of antioxidants our body produces. Curcumin: A Review of Its’ Effects on Human Health –  Susan J. Hewlings, Douglas S. Kalman.  Turmeric contains around 3% curcuminoids and therefore one teaspoon of turmeric powder (about 5,000 mg) only provides about 150 mg of curcuminoids.

Many studies have shown that it is the curcumin that is responsible for many of the health benefits associated with turmeric and that taking curcumin regularly can have a wide range of benefits. These benefits can include:

health benefits of turmeric, medical research on turmeric

Supporting Your Immune System

A strong and healthy immune system is essential for your body to fight invaders, such as viruses, bacteria, and foreign bodies. Studieshave demonstrated that turmeric contains excellent anti-oxidant, anti-viral and anti-microbial properties, which can help to support a healthy immune system. Research also shows it can help to regulate different signalling molecules which are essential for the functioning of a health immune system.

 

Alleviating Joint Pain

Inflammation in the joints can be very painful, causing swelling and restricting movement. Studies have shown that turmeric and curcumin’s powerful anti-inflammatory properties may reduce joint pain and tenderness, cartilage degeneration and joint inflammation. In particular, a study by Vilai Kuptniratsaikul et al. has shown that curcumin can reduce pain and improve physical function in patients with arthritis.

 

Reducing symptoms of Skin Inflammation

Inflammation is part of the body’s healing process. However long term chronic inflammation of the skin can lead to eczema and damage the skin. Studies have shown that curcumin can suppress pro-inflammatory signals, which gives it powerful anti-inflammatory effects. These properties make curcumin perfectly placed to help alleviate the symptoms of eczema.

A 2016 systematic review of clinical evidence by Alexandra R Vaughn et al has shown that curcumin can help to reduce itchiness and scaling for people with eczema.

 

Supporting Gut Health

Our gut health is not just important for digestion but a healthy gut supports the immune system and contributes to general health and wellbeing. Registered Nutritionist Clarris Lenherr states that ‘turmeric is full of polyphenols, which are kind of antioxidants that can actually feed and really nourish the beneficial bacteria that we have living in our digestive system. So it’s a great way to actually support digestive health’.

Studies have shown that curcumin can have positive effects on human gut microbiota, reducing intestinal inflammation, as well as supporting diverse gut bacteria which supports a strong immune system.

 

Reducing Muscle Inflammation and Soreness

Working muscles hard can often lead to damage to the muscle fibres which can cause soreness and stiffness. Muscle damage can be caused by overexertion or wrong use of a muscle.

 

Curcumin And Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

A recent study in 2017 by Jäger R et al. Efficacy and safety of Curcuma domestica extracts in patients with knee osteoarthritis shows that groups of those provided with curcumin had a ‘measurable impact on muscle damage and recovery in 59 healthy, physically active, young adult participants after downhill running’. The findings were that those in a curcumin group ‘had significantly reduced elevation in creatine kinase levels, which are elevated when there is muscle damage’ and ‘Self-reported pain scores were significantly reduced as well in curcumin groups compared to placebo groups.’

 

Turmeric and Black Pepper

Turmeric and curcumin are poorly absorbed by the human body on their own. Pairing turmeric with black pepper extract known as piperine can increase the bioavailability and absorption. Proper absorption of turmeric has been shown to enhance curcumin absorption by up to 2,000%. This means that you should add some black pepper whenever you are cooking with turmeric, or make sure you choose a turmeric or curcumin supplement that contains piperine.

Your Bodhi’s Natural Turmeric

Sophie Nazareth, the Founder of Your Bodhi set up her business to share the amazing benefits of turmeric and curcumin. After personally struggling with a chronic illness for years, discovering curcumin helped her to regain control of her life.

Check Out Your Bodhi’s Natural Turmeric Curcumin Click Here 

Top Tips For A Happy And Healthy Christmas

The World Of Health stress, health, healthy body, spiritual , , 1 Comment
tips for a happy healthy christmas season

Tips For A Happy And Healthy Christmas

How to have a happy and healthy Christmas Season and New Year.  7 tips to help you have a Healthy Christmas. How to keep the fun, joy, and magic in Christmas, with less anxiety and stress.

Sadly many people tread the-pre Christmas, Christmas and New Year Season. For some, they associate a lot of emotional pain and loss with this time of year. For others, they experience a high level of anxiety and stress linked to internal and external pressure.

Trying to live up to certain types of perceived expectations associated with this time of year. The Christmas Season certainly brings up a mixture of emotions and fear. Especially when the whole message of Christmas and giving has got lost in commercial overspending and certain expectations.

But if we take a step back from the media, the adverts, your child’s long list from Santa, and even the office secret Santa. The true meaning is simply about showing up and spending time with our friends, family, and our fellow man. It is a time to forget about our opinions, our differences, and even fall out’s. And to show kindness to one other. In many ways, Christmas is just another day. But a day we get an opportunity to say thank you and appreciation to those and the world around us.

7 Top Tips For A Happy And Healthy Christmas

top tips to a happy healthy christmas infographic

Give From An Open Heart

Open your heart to the wonder of giving and receiving at this beautiful time of year. Give some magic and allow in some magic. Open your heart to all sorts of miracles and blessings.

 

Be Grateful

Christmas is a time to be grateful for the small things as well the bigger blessings, even those Christmas challenges. Appreciate all the blessings around you, they come in all sorts of disguises. Appreciate the love, kindness, and generosity at this time of year.

 

Be In The Moment

The Christmas season is a time to be fully present, fully in the here and now. It is important to stop stressing about tomorrow or dwelling on the past to have a more healthy Christmas. The greatest gift you can give anyone is being fully present with them. Just spending quality time with, friends, family even strangers creates more joy and wellbeing.

 

Get Enough Sleep

Make sure you get enough sleep and rest. This is a busy time of year, where we tend to get out of our normal routine and put ourselves under extra pressure. Don’t be tempted to burn the candle at both ends with too many late nights.

 

Drink More Water

Water helps us flush out those extra indulgences and toxins. It can help stop us from overindulging in alcohol and food. Dehydration puts extra stress on the body. So it is important to stay hydrated through long journeys, Christmas shopping and stressful family visits.

 

Reduce Alcohol Intake

Alcohol consumption can not only affect our health and wellbeing, but it can also seriously reduce our ability to make healthy decisions. Under the influence of alcohol, we are more likely to get emotional, act irrationally or take risks.  Just SAY NO or bring alcohol-free wine or beer to stressful work or family events.

 

Eat Healthy Food

It is so easy to overindulge at this time of year. To minimise those extra pounds, inches and high sugar levels. Eat more mindfully. Choose at least some of the healthier options on the menu. So you can enjoy those favourite treats with less guilt.

We at The World Of Health wish you a Happy and Healthy Christmas Season and New Year.

 

 

5 Minue Meditation Mind Hacks for anxiety and stress

Winter Super Juice Recipe – Immune Boosting Superjuice

The World Of Health health, healthy eating, Healthy Recipes, nutrition, Recipes , , , 13 Comments
Winter Super Juice Recipe For A Healthy Immune System

Check out our Winter Super Juice Recipe

Our Winter Sunshine Super Juice Recipe is a great energy and immune-boosting buster. This healthy juice is packed full of many vital nutrients and vitamins that can support you through the winter months.

An easy to make healthy super juice for the whole family that can be used to help reduce the risk of colds and flu. Packed with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and detoxing properties.

 

Winter Sunshine Super Juice Recipe Ingredients

 

1 Large Organic Carrots ( approx. 146gm)**

1-2 Organic Apples** ( depending on how sweet you like your juice)

½ Inch of Ginger

1 Organic Orange**

1/2 inch of Lemon** without the rind

Optional; Pinch Of Nutmeg & Cinnamon to suit taste.

** Organic is always best when possible to reduce risk of toxins and pesticides. But if not organic, we suggest you make sure you clean your vegetables well.

The most simple and effective ways to do this is this;  clean your fruit and vegetables before putting them into your fridge or fruit bowl. You can clean fruits and vegetables in a variety of ways. You can add one portion of white vinegar to 10 parts of water. Or just buy a fruit and vegetable cleaning product such as veggi wash, but note these products can be expensive.

Winter Super Juice Recipe -Boost Your Immune System Juice Recipe

 

Health Benefits Of Winter Sunshine Super Juice

So what are the potential health benefits of this Winter Super Juice? Well, let’s look more closely at the individual ingredients of this healthy juice.

Carrots, we often undervalue the nutritional benefits in a carrot. Butcarrots contain vitamins A, C and K, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc and folate. As we know contains a diet high in beta-carotene is great for our eyes, especially night time vision. But beta-carotene has also been shown in a lot of research to have anti-cancer effects especially with the additional high levels of anti-oxidants. Carrots are also extremely hydrating eyesight, nourishes, and hydrates skin, 

Apples are supposed to keep the doctor away and like carrots are supposed to help support the eyes, particularly reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Some of the main nutrients in an apple include vitamins A , C,  potassium, calcium and flavonoids. Apples also have both soluble fiber known as pectin and insoluble fiber which supports digestion. Pectin is also known to help reduce many forms of heart disease. It does this by helping stop cholesterol and plaque building up on the lining of blood vessels.

Oranges, we know a healthy intake of vitamin C is linked to a healthy immune system but did you know it is also linked to a reduced risk of colon cancer? Oranges contain vitamin C, vitamin B-6, calcium, potassium, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, folate and pantothenic acid and even protein. As well as copper, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese and selenium. The fact oranges contain magnesium, and rich in Vitamins B6 make apples useful aid at helping maintain blood pressure levels. Oranges like apples also have soluble and insoluble fibre. 

 

Health Benefits Of Cinnamon, Ginger And Nutmeg

Ginger has been used for many thousands of years as not just a spice but a natural medicine especially in Ayurvedic Medicine. As an anti-nausea remedy ginger is used during pregnancy it also known to help reduce menstrual pain.

Ginger is widely used for centuries as a natural remedy for colds and flu. But ginger is also a natural anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic. Having been shown to demonstrate a protective function against natural, chemical, and radiation-induced toxicities.

Cinnamon is a warming spice that is widely used in the food industry and pharmacy industry for its various therapeutic properties which include “been reported to possess astringent, warming stimulant, carminative, blood purifier, digestive, antiseptic, antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties and also help to reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels. “

Nutmeg is another useful spice that also has anti-inflammatory properties well known to encourage better sleep a well-known natural remedy for insomnia. It is also has been suggested that it may be a useful aid in the healing of stomach ulcers.

Just some of the reasons we have included and recommended these spices for our Winter Super Juice Recipe.

 

This healthy winter super juice recipe was created by The World of Health’s very own Juice therapist, Healer and Wellness Coach – David Rabone.

David Rabone is a highly experienced healer, therapist, and coach who has been studying health and spirituality over the last 25 years. David who is based in Scotland, UK. Is a qualified pharmacist, has trained with many top healers and coaches around the world. 

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Boost Your Energy and Immune System with our Winter Super Juice Recipe






5 Pillars Of Health And Wellness Course to improve your wellbeing boost your immune system

Multiple Sclerosis – Teens with MS Face Unique Set of Challenges

Jen Martin Uncategorized, childrens health, Chronic Conditions, health, Pain, stress, wellness , , 7 Comments
Multiple Sclerosis – Teens with MS Face Unique Set of Challenges

How Teens with MS Face a Unique Set of Challenges

Women are more than twice as likely to develop Multiple Sclerosis as men. Multiple Sclerosis usually affects people between the ages of 20 and 50 years, and the average age of onset is approximately 34 years. Multiple Sclerosis can affect children and teens (pediatric MS). 

I was 17 when I was diagnosed with Remitting-Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) in 1987. Back then MS was not very well known, and the Internet didn’t exist either, so no real way to research what MS is, other than taking the word of my Neurologist. I remember having symptoms as early as the age of 14.

I was constantly tired, and couldn’t keep up with my fellow students in gym class, running track. I slept a lot. My parents thought I was just being lazy. Because I was affected so early on in my life with MS, I knew I wanted to help others who were newly diagnosed with MS in whatever way I could. So I wrote a self-help book “Blue Fingers Brass Knuckles” full of diagrams, questions to ask your doctors, how to cope with the diagnosis through laughter, and the power of inspiration, faith, courage, and love.

In today’s world, MS is a common household word and you can Google information about MS. However; unless you’re following a teen with MS on social media to know the unique set of challenges that comes with it, you won’t know until you experience it…and even then, you’re left wondering…is this MS or just me?

Emotional Issues Of Teens With MS

There are approximately 8,000 to 10,000 Americans who have been diagnosed with MS before their 18th birthday. Although pediatric MS cases are rare, some studies estimate that 2 to 5% of all people with MS had symptom onset as a teenager or even younger. The good news is that pediatric MS specialists say teens who begin MS therapies soon after their diagnosis rarely develop disabilities before their 20th birthday and can lead a relatively symptom-free life well into adulthood.

“There’s some evidence that people who get pediatric remitting-relapsing MS move to progressive MS slower than those who are diagnosed as adults,” says Tim Lotze, MD, associate professor of child neurology at Texas Children’s Hospital at the Baylor College of Medicine. “Maybe that’s because the “lucky” ones who are diagnosed earlier start on treatment sooner.”

Different Physical Symptoms Teens With MS

But while teenagers may have fewer physical MS symptoms than adults, they can have more emotional or mental issues. Adolescence comes with all kinds of angst. Add in an MS diagnosis, and the stress can skyrocket. “You grow up fast when you’re diagnosed that young.” Here’s what I, other teens, their parents, and healthcare providers have learned about living with MS as an adolescent.

Difficulty with Diagnosis In Children With MS

The number of children diagnosed with MS seems to be holding steady in recent years, although accurate data is lacking, says Brenda Banwell, MD, chief of the Division of Neurology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and director of the hospital’s Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Clinic. However, the awareness of pediatric MS has increased considerably among healthcare practitioners, meaning children are more likely to be diagnosed quicker.

There’s also a growing amount of research focusing on pediatric MS.

 The Canadian Pediatric Demyelinating Disease Network has performed a comprehensive prospective analysis of children with a first attack of what may be MS and has published extensively on the clinical, biological, and MRI features of MS in children.

 Doctors and scientists affiliated with 18 clinical centers throughout the United States have formed the Network of Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Centers to study the causes and treatment of pediatric MS. To learn more, visit usnpmsc.org.

These and other studies show that while MS symptoms are similar in teens and adults, teens may be more difficult to diagnose.

“Teenagers may have more vague symptoms like their back hurts, or they’re having headaches or migraines with blurry vision or they’re having trouble walking,” says Soe Mar, MD, director of the Pediatric Onset Demyelinating Diseases and Autoimmune Encephalitis Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital at the Washington University School of Medicine. Couple those indeterminate symptoms with normal teenage stress and Dr. Mar says some clinicians may think a teen with MS is suffering from physical symptoms that are due to psychological trauma rather than MS.

Specific Teenage Symptoms Of Multiple Sclerosis

The onset of MS in children and youth is associated with a higher relapse rate and a higher volume of brain lesions, relative to early MS in adults. Pediatric MS occurs in the context of normal academic learning and during brain maturation. Of note, 30 to 40% of children with MS have a cognitive impairment, Dr. Banwell says. This impairment varies from mild to severe and mainly involves executive functioning, such as multitasking, organization, attention skills, processing speed, and word finding.

About a third of teens with MS have emotional issues, such as depression or anxiety or combination of both. But this mirrors the general population of teenagers, so it can be difficult to tell if MS is the culprit for mood disorders or if it’s simply being a teenager. Either way, mental health is an important facet of care for youth with MS.

When I was diagnosed at 17, I was devastated. Thinking I had something like cancer that I would die from. I was an emotional wreck. It was affecting me in every facet of my life. And because we didn’t know much about MS back then, doctors didn’t realize that mental health is an important part of “health care” for me, so I was stuck working through these emotions by myself.

That’s why I can’t emphasize enough how important is it to have partnerships with psychiatrists and psychologists for teens who have MS. These professionals can help teens and their parents sort out what’s causing depression or anxiety and how to best treat it.

Research shows that teenagers also tend to have more frequent relapses than adults, perhaps because they haven’t yet developed full nerve myelination, Dr. Lotze says. A 2014 study published in Multiple Sclerosis Related Disorders shows that children have 2.3 times more relapses than adults per year. The flip side is that children recover much better than adults from relapses,” Dr. Lotze says. “There seems to be fewer residual symptoms, maybe because myelin in children can repair faster. Or there could be something innate in the pediatric brain that can make new networks after an MS relapse.”

 

The Importance of Medications In Teens With MS

While MS therapies can reduce disease activity in teens, the key is persuading them to consistently take their medications. “A lot of teenagers don’t think they need medications after they recover from a relapse,” Dr. Mar says. Most teens think “I just want to be a normal kid and not have to take 20 pills a day or go in for my injections.”

Several high school students who were recently diagnosed with MS were interviewed on the importance of taking their MS medications and the response was amazing. One student says “it helped when her mom told her that MS was like having diabetes. Another student said, “If taking my medication will keep my MS symptoms away, I’m all for it…but I don’t like it.”

Multiple Sclerosis - Teens With MS Face Unique Challenges. How teens with M.S. have a variety of difficulties and challenges to face

Early-stage Coping In Teens With MS

While an MS diagnosis can be devastating for anyone, it can be particularly difficult for teens and their families. Parents struggle to accept the diagnosis. “No one expects a child to be diagnosed with an adult disease,” Dr. Banwell says. One thing teenagers have going for them, though, is resilience.

There are many documentaries, YouTube videos, and programs on TV that tell stories of other teens with MS and how they overcame their fear. For example: there was an ESPN program on a female runner with MS. A boy who is an offensive lineman on his middle school and high school football teams approached his diagnosis like an athlete. He talked to a sports psychologist who told him that he only needed to focus on his MS for the five minutes a day he injected his medication. So, for 23 hours and 55 minutes, live life like you don’t have MS. Staying positive that MS won’t affect the rest of your life in a big way.

Freaked-out Parents Of Teens With MS

When my Mom and I walked into my neurologist’s office and were told I had MS my Mom bawled for at least 20 minutes. We looked at each other with that Mother-Daughter look knowing we had to stick together and be there for one another. Each other is all we had. This is a typical reaction for any parent as they don’t want to hear that their child has been diagnosed with an incurable disorder.

Sometimes the parents can be more of an issue for a physician than the child, due to them reading about medical journal articles and studies about MS regarding what could happen to their child. It’s terrifying! “Teenagers have a sense of invulnerability, so their MS can fade into the background. That’s not the case for the parents.” Dr. Banwell said a colleague recently completed a study showing that the impact of a child’s diagnosis with MS is so substantial for parents that they can end up using more healthcare resources than their child.

I believe having a strong support system is key for helping parents cope with their child’s disease. There are many online as well as in-person support groups, such as: Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Alliance Group on Facebook,  myself The MS Wellness Coach for Natural Approaches to healing and Families Fighting Against MS.com and National Multiple Sclerosis Society for United States, and MS Society UK, MS Australia.org.

When you have a child, who has such a serious disease, you must have a strong support team. You cannot do this by yourself. Connecting with other parents of children in similar situations to ask questions to, and get support from, is invaluable.

Overcompensating Teenagers

While parental stress about their teen’s MS diagnosis is understandable, it can create additional emotional issues for the child. This is all happening while kids are at the age of trying to get independence from their parents. Teens tend to avoid talking to their parents about their disease because they don’t want to worry them.

One teen said “I look like a different person when I relapse. I look so sick, and I know that upsets my parents. I would talk to my Mom about it, but I don’t want to make her even more upset,” Napier says. “My Dad calls me constantly to see how I’m feeling. It breaks my heart to see how worried they are. I wish there was a way to let them know I’m going to be OK.”

Teenagers can also hide their feelings for other reasons. Many blame themselves when diagnosed with MS. “I was getting all this attention from my Mom because of my symptoms, and frankly I was enjoying it.” After the symptoms subsided, the initial attention from my Mom went away. I started wishing that something else would happen again so I would get more attention.” It’s sad, but true I felt this way. And then, I found out I had MS. I felt like it was my fault even though deep down I knew it wasn’t. It can take several months to stop feeling devastated that they “brought the disease upon themselves” and to admit those feelings to their family and friends.

Dr. Lotze says a key to breaking through these types of communication barriers is for parents to “not hide anything from the kid from day one. Parents need to make a plan on how to talk to their son or daughter.” A therapist can also help the whole family, including anxious or resentful siblings, open lines of communication.

School Relationships

Family relationships aren’t the only ones that suffer when teens are diagnosed with MS. Teens can face misunderstanding or even bullying about their disease. Most teens don’t want to tell their classmates about their MS diagnoses because they don’t want to be treated differently, or that rumors would be spread. They don’t want to be labeled “teachers’ pet” because of being allowed to turn in assignments late or eating lunch in the nurse’s office to rest. However; if you don’t face the truth by telling your story to stop the rumors, people will continue to say what they are going to say without knowing the truth.

The best way most teens find it helpful is to make a video so the entire school would know you have MS. You’re not looking for sympathy, you’re looking for support. Upload it to your YouTube channel, then post it on your social media. Word spreads. You can also ask the principal if they can post a link to your video for the school to see. By telling your story, the gossiping, the whispers, and the bullying will help stop this and help you make friends. MS is a lonely disease, so get out there and tell your story. You need a support system in every facet of your life.

 

Learning How to Be Different

It’s OK to not be OK. Being different from classmates is hard…. missing out on being excited to have your crush take you to homecoming or attending school football games with your friends. Keeping a positive mindset makes all the difference in the world, it will keep you moving forward, climbing up this hill called life, and MS is just one more thing in your backpack to make you stronger.

Perhaps being diagnosed with MS has sparked an interest to be a neurologist specializing in pediatric MS. Or being an MS advocate helping others with their meal plans and workouts. This can include becoming a health and wellness coach,  specializing in helping others with MS to manage their symptoms naturally. By now, you can see the blessings of being diagnosed with MS as a teenager. You can show others that you can get through anything.

The MS Wellness Coach

Hi, I’m Jen Martin a Master Certified Wellness Coach, specializing in helping women with MS to combat fatigue, increase energy levels, and improve their overall health naturally, so that they can live life with vitality and abundance. On Facebook, I’m known as The MS Wellness Coach – empowering those living with MS and other auto-immune disorders how to manage their symptoms naturally.

 

Vitamin D Deficiency Causes And Treatment

Anusha Ganesan nutrition, health, healthy body, healthy eating, wellness , , , , 17 Comments
benefits of sunshine vitamin d deficiency

Common Vitamin D Deficiency Causes And Treatment

The most common Vitamin D Deficiency causes and recommended treatment. Are you wondering if you should be taking vitamin D supplements? The truth is most people today are deficient in this essential vitamin. The biggest reason for low levels of vitamin D is reduced exposure to the sun. According to Van Schooler (2017), people all over the world are deficient in this essential vitamin. 

How is vitamin D made in the body?

So how is vitamin D produced in the body? Ultraviolet (UV) B radiation penetrates uncovered skin and converts cutaneous 7-dehydrocholesterol to pre-vitamin D3. Pre-vitamin D3 is then converted to Calcidiol (i.e. 25-hydroxycholecalciferol) in the liver. Calcidiol is converted to active vitamin D, vitamin D3 (also called Calcitriol 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol) in the kidney. 

What does Vitamin D do? 

Vitamin D3  acts at the genetic level, in this sense, it can turn specific genes on/off thus regulating the cell’s activities. It does so by binding with the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR), which is present in most cells in the body. 

By now we all know that Vitamin D3, the active form of vitamin D, is required for building and maintaining bones. It also has an impact on the intestines, immune and cardiovascular systems, pancreas, muscles, brain, and the control of cell cycles. (Nair et al.)

 An adequate amount of vitamin D is  required to aid in:

  1. Calcium and Phosphorus absorption from the gut
  2. Maintain immunity, 
  3. Stimulate insulin production, 
  4. Cognitive functions

The Sunshine Vitamin has been demonstrated in clinical studies to-

  1. Help prevent cancer and CVD
  2. Act as an Anti-hypertensive
  3. Reduce the risk of Type 2 Diabetes
  4. Alleviate depression

So, we can keep mostdiseases at bay by maintaining normal levels of this vitamin.

Vitamin D Deficiency Causes:

According to the UK Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), low serum levels of vitamin D, (below 25 nmol/l (10ng/ml)) increases the risk of poor musculoskeletal health. Vitamin D deficiency is when the levels are below 20 ng/ml. 

VDD poses health risks such as loss of bone mineral density leading to fractures and osteoporosis in adults, rickets in children, the risk of developing CVD (Judd et al.). Moreover, Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is correlated with Parkinson’s disease, Autoimmune diseases (type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Rheumatoid arthritis, and auto-immune thyroid disease).

Groups at risk of vitamin D deficiency (VDD):

  1. Breastfed infants and  Children, 
  2. Older adults,
  3. Pregnant and breastfeeding women, 
  4. Those suffering from fat malabsorption in the following diseases: Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, liver cirrhosis, obstruction of the bile duct by gallstones, chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, gastric bypass (bariatric surgery), short bowel syndrome (after surgical removal of a large part of the small intestine), and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). 
  5. People with limited sun exposure
  6. People with dark skin -Due to a large amount of melanin which results in darker skin, this type of skin takes relatively more time as compared to a lighter skin tone to produce vitamin D. 
  7. Obese people: People with BMI ≥30 have lower serum vitamin D levels in comparison to non-obese people. Obesity may call for a higher intake of vitamin D than usually required since a higher amount of subcutaneous fat captivates more of the vitamin altering its release into the circulation. (Nair et al.)

Ready To Live A More Holistic Life

Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency:

Signs of low vitamin D are non-specific and include frequent infections, muscle weakness, tiredness, tooth decay, and backache. So, it’s wise to get your Vitamin D levels checked if you see these symptoms occurring more often. Supplemental Vitamin D: D3 (cholecalciferol) can help restore vitamin D levels to normalcy (>=20ng/ml). It is more efficacious than D2 (Ergocalciferol).

 

best sources of vitamin d infographic

Sources of Vitamin-D:

Sunlight: Sunlight is the best source of vitamin D you can get. If you live in a place that receives abundant sunshine, you can get all the vitamin D you need, provided you sunbathe for a few times per week. Exposure to sunlight for 5 -30 minutes sans sunscreen (face, arms, legs, etc.) between 10 am to 3 pm in Summers helps the body synthesize the required amount of vitamin D. Caution: Avoid overexposure to the sun as this may cause sunburn, skin aging, and skin cancer.

Vitamin D Food Sources: Make sure you include natural vitamin D rich food sources such as fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines, cod liver oil) and egg (with yolk). Vitamin D-fortified foods such as milk, yogurt, and cheese are some other sources of vitamin D.

If you are a vegan, then you can go for sun-dried mushrooms and microalgae. Sundried mushrooms contain the D2 form of vitamin D. If consumed when fresh, the D2 levels will likely be above 10 μg/100 g fresh. Note: The vitamin D2 levels decrease with storage and cooking. [Cardwell et al.]

Freshwater microalgae were found to contain 80 μg of D3/100 g besides ergosterol, D2, and &-dehydrocholesterol. [Japelt et al.]

This means we can still get some vitamin D in winter, a time when the levels are generally found to be low. And when many people suffer from (SAD) Seasonal Affective Disorders.

If your vitamin D levels are below 20ng/ml, you should consider taking a supplement because the food sources of vitamin D alone are not going to be enough to maintain normal serum levels of this vitamin.

How much  Vitamin D should you supplement?

According to the British Nutrition Foundation, 10 mcg/day of supplemental vitamin D is sufficient for most people. 

For babies, 8.5 to 10 mcg per day is recommended only if the baby is taking less than 500 ml of formula per day. 10 mcg is recommended for children aged 1-4 yrs. However, for adults higher doses of the vitamin can confer a lot more benefits. The upper safe limit is 4000 IU or 100 mcg. The required dosage depends on the level of deficiency. 

Consult your physician to find the right dose to normalize your vitamin D levels.

VITAMIN D Deficiency Treatment:

Even though sunlight is the best source of Vitamin D, it is not available to us throughout the year. Besides, including Vitamin D rich foods alone is not capable of restoring the serum levels of this vitamin to normalcy. Hence the need for vitamin D supplements, especially in winter. 

According to an interesting article I read, vitamin D supplementation has shown a preventive role in respiratory tract infections. Given that vitamin D has an impact on immune responses, it may act as an anti-infective agent as well. But, this is yet to be proved clinically in large populations. 

When it comes to choosing Vitamin D supplements, Biocare has variants for different conditions and age groups. Children can benefit from a flavored-liquid and bioavailable form of vitamin D3. While adults with malabsorption can go for Nutrisorb Liquid Biomulsion D– it can be taken as a sublingual vitamin D spray, under the tongue or as a drop as well They also have Vitamin D drops for babies.

Nutrisun is another company that offers a Vitamin D spray. This is a good choice for vegetarians since they source their vitamin D from lanolin which comes from sheep’s wool. 

Vegan Vitamin D: If you are a vegan, then you would be happy to know that there are vegan sources as well, such as the one that Protea Wellness offers. In their case, vitamin D (cholecalciferol) comes from Lichen (a combination of algae or cyanobacteria and fungi living together). 

Risks of overdosing:

The clinical symptoms of Vitamin D toxicity (VDT) are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, apathy, confusion, excessive thirst (polydipsia), excessive urination (polyuria) and dehydration.

Prevent overdosing on vitamin D as it may lead to too much absorption of calcium leading to hypercalcemia. This happens due to excessive long-term intake of the vitamin. Serum levels of Calcitriol higher than 150 ng/ml (375 nmol/ml) is an indication of vitamin D overdose. (Suchowierska et al.)

Always make sure that you buy a vitamin D supplement from a reputed manufacturer to lower the risk of overdose.

Summary:

The Sunshine Vitamin may play a role to help prevent or reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes, CVD, hypertension, and cancer; alleviate depression apart from aiding the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. 

Vitamin D deficiency is when the serum levels of this vitamin are below 20 ng/ml. 

Limited sun exposure, old age, fat malabsorption, dark skin, and obesity are some causes of Vitamin D deficiency (VDD). 

Signs of low vitamin D levels are frequent infections, muscle weakness, tiredness, tooth decay, and backache. It is best to get your serum vitamin D levels checked if you experience these signs more often. 

VDD gives rise to health risks such as Osteoporosis (in adults), rickets (in children). Research correlates vitamin D to the risk of CVD, Type 2 diabetes and other health disorders.

There are some vitamin D rich foods, such as cod liver oil, sun-dried mushrooms, microalgae, and some vitamin D-fortified foods. But these decent sources of vitamin D cannot help you reach normal vitamin D levels if you are deficient in this vitamin.    

Sunlight is THE BEST SOURCE of Vitamin D. It is enough to get all the vitamin D your body needs if bare skin is exposed to sunlight 5-30 minutes. 

If for any reason you are unable to get enough sunlight, resort to Vitamin D supplements, especially the sublingual vitamin D spray. To avoid overdosing, it is best not to take beyond 4000 IU or 100 mcg of vitamin D supplement per day. This is because long term consumption of excess vitamin D leads to toxicity.

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Clean Eating – 5 Steps To Eat Clean

The World Of Health Uncategorized, health, healthy eating, holistic, nutrition, wellness , , , 28 Comments
clean eating lifestyle

 Clean Eating

What is Clean Eating? And how can you start eating clean today?. Why is cleaning eating becoming increasingly popular and supposed to be so good for our health and wellbeing?

What Is Clean Eating?

Clean eating basically refers to eating foods that are in their more organic, raw, natural and whole state. Rather than eating adultered, processed, modified foods. Foods that are baked and/or cooked foods with trans fats, additives, refined or artificial sugars. So clean eating is not a faddy diet or weight loss program but a more natural way of eating. That naturally helps you become more healthy and often lose excess wait.

Clean Eating in many ways is the natural way our ancestors consumed their food. This is how we were supposed to eat before foods became genetically modified, sprayed with chemicals and pesticides, or injected with hormones. In-fact then most people would eat their food with minimum adulteration. They would pick fruits and nuts straight from the trees, dig up vegetables from the garden or land. And other than cooking or pickling there were no added artificial sweeteners or highly refined sugars.

 

Clean Eating Is healthy eating

A more clean diet helps you choose high-quality, high-nutrient, more raw and organic food sources. To support and encourage more optimal wellbeing. The purer, fresher and more raw our food is the more nutrients, energy, fuel it has to repair, restore and heal the body. Clean eating is great for the skin, it is a natural detoxifier. Unhealthy eating means our organs, digestive, and detox system has to work so much harder. With a cleaner diet, the body is in a more natural state of homeostasis.

Worldwide Addiction To Unhealthy Eating

Today people are dying, getting sick because of their unclean and unhealthy diet. Data from the 2009-10 National Health and Nutrition Examination showed evidence that 58% of the american diet was from ultra-processed food.According to the Guardian “UK families buy more ultra-processed food than any others in Europe, amounting to 50.7% of the diet. Germany comes second, on 46.2% and then Ireland on 45.9%. ” Salt, sugar, highly processed carbohydrates, and trans fats are causing so many health issues from obesity to diabetes, heart disease to overstimulation.

clean eating lifestyle

5 Easy Steps To Clean Eating

    1. Buy Fresh Produce – Choose as much fresh produce, loose produce that you can. Most clean food can be bought loosely, has no or very little packaging think about fruit, vegetables, raw nuts, raw seeds, fish, meat
    2. Clean Your Fresh Produce – Clean all fruit and vegetables as soon as you bring them home, before putting them in the fridge or cupboard. Simply 1 part white vinegar to 4 cups of water.
    3. Eat Organic When You Can – Choose organic when you can, you would be surprised how dirty and polluted many fresh foods are with chemicals, hormones, pesticides. Check out the dirty dozen foods that have the most pesticides and toxins, these are the ones you should try and by as organic when possible. If any of your fruit and vegetable were in a box or bag, check out the country they were grown. Some countries use more pesticides than others.
    4. Eat Raw When You Can – Your diet should contain as many raw fresh plant-based foods that you can eat. Except perhaps in the more winter months, when you eat should be eating lots of healthy hot soups, healthy stews, lentil casseroles without additives, grilled fish or meat. Prepare little snack boxes of fruit and vegetable crudites for snacks. Have a healthy juice or smoothie as part of your breakfast.
    5. Don’t Fry Your Food – Reduce your temptation to fry, especially using oils that turn into transfats, try to bake or grill when possible.

Clean eating in many ways is part of a more naturally healthy way of life. It helps you realign with what is important and healthy for you and your family’s wellbeing. With simple gradual changes in your diet and buying habits, you will soon be adopting a clean eating lifestyle.

Natural Remedies For Colds And Flu

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natural remedies for colds and flu

Natural Remedies That Help Fight Colds And Flu

Natural remedies for the treatment of colds and flu. We all know flu and colds are symptoms of a low immune system. Both can have very similar symptoms. But while a cold is not viewed as a serious health condition. Flu can if not addressed, develop into further health complications. Especially if the body is not allowed to rest and heal appropriately.

Now, what are the main differences between colds and flu?

Both cold and flu are respiratory tract infections caused by dissimilar viruses. Although cold and flu have some similar symptoms. Generally, flu symptoms are more severe than the common cold. If you have a cold you will normally have a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing and sometimes a sore throat. Colds generally come on gradually. Flu is a bit different it comes on more abruptly, symptoms usually include fever, fatigue and weakness, general aches and pains. Sore throats, chills, and chest issues are also very common. Flu can if not treated appropriately lead to a variety of linked health complications, for example, bacterial infections, pneumonia, and sometimes hospitalization.

Natural Flu Remedies for colds and influenza

Recommended Medical Treatments For Cold And Flu

According to doctors within the National Health Service here in the UK, there is no recommended medical treatment for colds. A cold is regarded as a mild viral infection that usually heals itself over a few weeks. But they do advise you to drink enough fluids, make sure you eat healthily, and get plenty of rest. For symptoms, of a blocked nose, decongestant sprays are recommended. For a sore throat, they suggest gargling with salt water and using menthol sweets.

Recommended treatments for flu by the NHS here in the UK are to get plenty of rest, sleep, stay warm, and be hydrated with plenty of fluids. The NHS does recommend the use of paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce any fevers or temperatures. And to make sure you do what you can to not spread it to others. If you are elderly, pregnant, or already have other chronic or serious health challenges, you are told to check with your Dr.

 

Natural Remedies For Colds

If you prefer a more natural, less toxic, and fewer drugs approach. In the world of tradition and holistic medicine, we treat the body from a holistic perspective. So it is not just about treating the symptom but it is about reducing or eliminating the cause of the illness or disease which today is usually STRESS.

We look at the whole body and use natural remedies to support the whole body back into balance. In herbalism or naturopathy, this often includes helping support the body’s own natural healing and immune system. There are many alternative and natural remedies used to alleviate and help treat the common symptoms of colds and flu.  Such as naturopathy, herbal remedies, essential oils and foods that heal or are packed with nutrients.

 

Most Common Remedies For Colds And Flu

The most commonly used natural remedy for colds and flu in the West is a hot honey lemon drink. In the East ginger is often used for these types of ailments.

So hot ginger and lemon drink are becoming increasingly popular, and back into fashion.

The Medical Medium suggests Lemon Honey Ginger Water for many things including colds, flu, and sore throat.

  • Garlic is widely used at helping fight many viruses and bacteria. Medical research has demonstrated Garlic (Allium sativum) when crushed has strong antimicrobial properties due to allicin (diallylthiosulfinate). In one clinical study, we see how how the allicin in crushed garlic “Kills Human Lung Pathogenic Bacteria, Including MDR Strains, as a Vapor.”
  • Lemons are packed with vitamin C and their sharpness is said to help cut through heavy catarrh and congestion. Honey even recommended by the NHS is widely known to soothe your throat and coughs.
  • Ginger is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacteria it helps warm the body up in Ayurvedic Medicine ginger has so many uses that it is regarded as a wide medicine chest by itself. Ginger has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine

Over The Counter Natural Remedies For Colds

Natural remedies are now becoming increasingly available, online in our local stores and even local pharmacies. More and more consumers want to use natural and organic remedies to support their and their family’s well-being.

When you have a cold or flu, a sore throat or cough can prevent you from getting the deep rest your body needs.

Natural throat pastilles without a lot of toxic nasties such as these Eucalyptus Pastilles can help soothe the throat.

An immune-boosting throat spray, such as this Organic Elderberry and Propolis Throat Spray. Or this Organic Honey And Thyme Syrup to help soothe any throat irritation, this is suitable for any adult or child over 12 months. Including garlic in your cooking is also a well-reputed way to b

Over The Counter Natural Remedies For Flu

In holistic and traditional medicine again we treat flu holistically. And like mainstream medicine, we encourage the person to give the body enough time to heal and rest.

If you are someone who struggles to relax and rest, this Listen And Nurture Your Body guided meditation will help.

We also suggest you have plenty of fluids with hot drinks and healthy soups. And the use of a variety of natural remedies including essential oils to prevent, reduce and support the healing of influenza.

In a clinical study, Protective essential oil attenuates influenza virus infection. On Guard  is one of my favourite essential oil blends was shown to have an antiviral effect on a novel H1N1 influenza virus.

You can also use a variety of essential oils that reduce symptoms of flu, reduce muscle aches and pains,  fevers, and chills.

Pure lavender essential oil added to your bath to help will help relax and soothe achy muscles. Lavender oil is also used to help take the temperature down in young children.

Eucalyptus and rosemary are other great essential oils that can be used to reduce symptoms of flu and colds. But eucalyptus is very strong for the bath and skin, so should be used sparingly. Eucalyptus and rosemary are not suitable for children or if you are pregnant. Rosemary should be avoided if you suffer from epilepsy or high blood pressure.

 

Vitamin C Supplement For Colds And Flu

Supplements For Colds And Flu

Vitamin C  and Zinc are widely recommended to boost the immune system for colds and flu so is Echinacea. If you have been recently been run down a multi-vitamin and mineral is often helpful. In some studies, Vitamin D supplementation has been shown to act as a defense against acute respiratory tract infections. And to improve the immune system in the early stages of influenza. It is interesting that most of us suffer colds and flu in the darker, winter months when we have lower exposure to natural vitamin D.

As you can see there are a variety of natural remedies that can help treat cold and flu, above is certainly not exhaustive. But like all illnesses and dis-ease, we have to address the reasons we get sick in the first place.

 

The disease is a state of dis-ease, mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Are you pushing yourself too hard mentally, emotionally, or physically? Have you been getting enough sleep and rest? How much balance do you have in your life, remember all work and no play doesn’t just lower your mood it can increase anxiety and stress levels.

 

Ready To Live A More Holistic Life

 

Healthy – What Does Healthy Mean?

Jen Martin holistic, health, healthy body, healthy eating, lifestyle, wellness , , , , , 18 Comments
what does healthy mean - the world of health

What does Healthy mean?

Healthy means having good health. Is the opposite of sick, but also can mean “doing

well” in a general sense. Each of us strive to be healthy.

But many of us have illnesses, chronic disease, auto-immune disorders or just

symptoms that appear out of nowhere and don’t know where they came from. So, you

call your Dr. to evaluate what’s going on and he/she prescribes you medication to treat

the “symptom”. Not considering what is causing the symptom in the first place.  And of

course, we all know there are side effects to medications, which in some cases can be

worse than the actual symptom itself.

The Wheel of Life; Wellness 360

Wellness 360 is a Holistic perspective.  Each of the tabs on the wheel interconnect

between all parts of ourselves. Each person has unique circumstances and needs.

Creating balance by making small changes – when we make changes in one area of our

life, we often notice it changes other areas….interconnected.

healthy what does healthy mean the wheel of life

In considering your Core foods (inner layer) and what areas might be out of balance, you

may find that there are many things affecting your imbalance.  It can be overwhelming

to look at all the areas where you don’t feel that you are achieving exactly what you want

to or realizing that each area has some percentage of “unfulfillment”.

The Wheel of Life is a way to take a closer look at the whole picture, to really drill

down into what specific things are in or out of balance.

The Inner Wheel

Represents activities and things that affect you DIRECTLY. The food you take in or the

fresh air you breathe.

Water

 Sunshine

 Air

 Food

 Movement

 Sleep

The Outer Wheel

Consists of indirect things that affect a person’s health and well-being.

Relationships

 Careers

 Finances

 Mindset

 Spirituality

 Purpose

Let’s take a closer look at the inner layers (CORE) to see how they directly affect us.

healthy what does healthy mean to you the world of health

Wellness 360 Food

Most conversations about taking good care of your body includes the emphasis on the

food you eat. At YOU Wellness, we know that our nutrition is a significant foundational

part of our wellness practice. Healthy eating is crucial if we want to feel and look the

best we possibly can.

*3

Talking about the element of Food is important when it comes to wellness for many

reasons. First, of course, is that nutrition is one of the hottest topics when it comes to

being healthy.

What we eat directly impacts how we look, how we feel, and how we do a lot of things.

It’s also one of the most confusing and ever-changing elements. When you use the

Wellness 360-wheel, Food becomes an element that is simpler than you think.

There are several aspects that make up the element of Wellness 360 Food.

These include things like:

The specific types of foods that we put into our mouths.

 The amount and quality of the food.

 How we eat that food, such as in a hurry or at a peaceful, slow pace.

 Noticing whether the food gives us energy or makes us feel tired.

 Checking in to see whether the food feels nourishing.

 Paying attention to whether the food makes us feel good after eating it.

Healthy Eating Is as Unique as You Are

Every person on the planet has specific biochemistry, environment, and lifestyle. When

combined, we are each quite unique. That means that each diet and nutrition plan out

there isn’t good for every person. It’s not a one diet-fits all. The food you eat needs to be

as unique as you are. Each person has specific individual needs. There are many factors

that influence which foods are best for you as an individual.

Wellness 360 Rest

Generally, it’s hard to improve your physical wellness for life when other parts of your

life might be under stress or unhealthy  One of the elements that can support you to gain

perspective on your life and see the connections between all the Wellness 360 elements

is the element of Rest.

The first reason it’s so important is that rest and sleep affect us on so many levels. When

we initially think of rest, we tend to think of sleep. And sleep is one of the biggest health

challenges that people in our culture face today.

Rest as a Wellness 360 element encompasses more than sleep, of course. The overall

American and western attitude toward rest is to try to minimize it as much as possible.

We put value on getting more done, being more productive, and being more efficient.

But we’ve lost our value for rest in our culture. Our quality and quantity of rest has

decreased, causing many problems ranging from minor health issues to major

challenges.

But when we’re talking about rest, we mean more than just sleep. Rest is a bigger idea

than that. It’s all about valuing our self-care practices. Rest also includes our downtime

and the ways that we intentionally slow down. It’s all about taking time to enjoy a

hobby, relaxing entertainment, or restful activities. Rest is about the things we can do to

release stress, calm our bodies, and power down our minds for a while.

Pay Attention to Your Energy Levels

You might be one of the lucky ones who sleep well and then wake up energized and

ready to start your day. Or you might wake up dragging from the first moment your feet

hit the floor. Notice your energy levels at the beginning of the day, but also pay close

attention to how they change throughout the day.

Do you feel exhausted by lunchtime? Are you loading up on caffeine just to get through

the day? Are you dragging all day long and then laying in bed wide awake at night? Keep

a journal to track your energy levels, then compare it to other activities and the food

you’re eating to discover patterns and correlations.

Check in With the Wellness 360 Wheel

Oftentimes, our quality of rest is directly affected by other aspects of our lives. If you’re

struggling through a bad patch with your partner, it might be really hard to sleep at

night. Lots of elements can be making it hard to go to sleep and to stay asleep. They can

also make us feel less motivated to engage in self-care, right during a time when we

might need it most.

 

Get Better Rest and Sleep

Taking good care of yourself is essential to achieving wellness. This includes focusing on

resting more, giving yourself better self-care, and ensuring that your sleep each nigh is

restful.

Wellness 360 Water

Water is an incredibly important part of your wellness routine and something to

consider when improving your overall health. There are many ways to look at Water and

ways to consider how it impacts our well-being.

Importance of Water for Health

One of the reasons we should talk about water is the fact that over half of the human

body is made of water. It’s an important element in our organs, our blood, and even our

bones. Water’s job in our bodies ranges from insulating our organs to lubricating our

joints, to forming the building blocks of cells.

Water is also an important part of the elimination system, carrying waste and toxins out

of our bodies. Water for health is always important to create a healthier body and a

more balanced wellness practice.

The simplest understanding of water for health is that we take in water through drinking

and eating. When we drink water, we are contributing a crucial element to our body for

its survival. We want to continually replenish the water in our bodies so it can support

our organs, joints and cells.

Without water, we become dehydrated and when that happens, our bodies can’t

function properly. Our cells become sluggish and too dry to perform their functions

optimally. We depend on water to live, way down to the cellular level. The quality of

water we’re drinking also greatly affects us. Dehydration can have a negative impact on

your wellness, so it’s important to balance water for health and well-being.

Here are a few ways you can get started with balancing your water element.

1. Keep track of your water intake.

Write down when you drink water and how much you’re taking in. Pay attention

to when you feel thirsty and make note of it.

2. Pay attention to the other beverages you’re drinking.

If you’re a big coffee drinker, notice what it does to your thirst and bathroom

visits. Caffeine tends to trick the body into eliminating water, which will leave you

dehydrated. Also, keep a close eye on other things you drink, such as sodas, diet sodas, teas,

juices and alcohol. Some of these liquids are hydrating and others are

dehydrating. Some of them will wreak havoc with your water fluid balance. Water

is always the best thing to drink for your health.

Wellness 360 Sun

It’s vitally important to get about 10 minutes of natural midday sunlight every single day

– and it’s crucial in the winter. This is true even if it’s overcast outside. We spend a

whopping 90% of our time indoors – and that’s where everyone else’s germs are

multiplying! Sunlight boosts the immune system by converting cholesterol to vitamin D.

It stimulates the thyroid gland; ensures sound sleep by triggering melatonin production at

night; and boosts the mood. Get outside for a walk and get your vitamin D for the day.

A minimum of 20 minutes per day when the sun is high in the sky is ideal for optimum

vitamin D intake. You’ll also feel more energized once you soak up some sunlight.

Wellness 360 Air

One of the important elements of Wellness 360 is Air. At the most basic level, our body

is alive because of the air we breathe in. It’s literally our life force and the element that

makes it possible for all the cells in our body to thrive.

The air you breathe contains a lot of oxygen, which is an essential element for life. Every

one of your cells needs it in order to carry out their functions and keep you moving.

When you breathe in, air moves into your lungs, then oxygen travels to all the places it

needs to go through the bloodstream.

 

Understanding the Air Element

The element of Air focuses on the actual air coming into our lungs when we breathe in.

Since air is such a vital part of our life force, it’s important to consider the quality as it

will affect our physical health. Improving our wellness isn’t complete until we’ve

addressed the ways in which we take in air.

Air as Nature and Outdoors

As a Wellness 360 element, Air also represents the air outside and nature. This includes

our environment and how we treat it. That includes how the environment impacts our

air quality, which then affects our health. An environment that is treated poorly and has

become unhealthy will have negative effects on our health. On the flip side, when we

lovingly care for our environments, it can have a hugely positive effect on our mental

and physical health.

When we are exposed to air pollution for any length of time, it can harm our respiratory

system, lungs, and cardiovascular system (our heart). Long exposures to pollution can

lead to serious diseases and health effects that can be devastating.

Air as Indoor Environment

Your indoor environment is also important. The air quality of our homes has a huge

impact on the air we breathe in and our overall physical health. Our homes are our safe

havens, away from the outdoor environments that surround us. The quality of the air we

take in within our homes is an important consideration when balancing wellness and

health.

Air as Breath

While the quality of the air you breathe in is super important, it’s also crucial to consider

how you are doing the physical breathing.

Most people breathe in using just their upper chest, taking in very short and shallow

breaths. For ultimate health, we need to be breathing in deeper ways. Air should move

in your nose, down into your lungs, filling up so fully that your belly rises. It should

then make its way back out, leaving through your nose or mouth fully. Intentional

breathing brings in the most efficient levels of oxygen, bringing vitality and true

oxygenation to every cell in the body.

Learning how to breathe properly impacts our well-being at a deep level. Deep breathing

helps to calm our nervous system, and slower breathing can de-escalate panic and

anxiety.

Wellness 360 Body

Wellness 360 is a holistic philosophy that supports the integration of all areas of our

well-being. But it’s not just one-dimensional. It’s a three-dimensional, layered system

that supports the whole person. Each layer of Wellness 360 can be used to change your

health and life on different levels. Going beyond just our external health, Wellness 360

takes us to the inner layer of ourselves and can help us define and evolve our whole

being.

On the first layer – the physical, external layer, Wellness 360 continues to provide a

holistic framework for balancing our lives in the 12 elements of life we originally created.

On the second layer – the internal, inner layer, Wellness 360 goes to the next level by

integrating both the external and internal. We are not just physical bodies; we have an

internal world that plays a huge role with our health. What’s happening on the inside is

often as important as what is happening on the outside.

And finally, on the third layer – the symbolic, more “energetic” layer or that hidden

layer you can’t see – Wellness 360 provides greater meaning to the areas of our life that

are out of balance and provides a deeper understanding of our individual journeys.

I encourage you to really look at the Wellness 360 wheel and see what areas are out of

balance. Then rate them from 1-10. 1 being the lowest, 10 being the highest. If you rate

any areas at 7 or below then those areas are the main and biggest that need to be focused

on and fixed. As they are interconnected with other areas of your life and is not whole.

Empowering You To Be More Healthy

I am a Master Certified Holistic Health and Wellness Coach, founder of YOU Wellness

and creator of The MS Energy Blueprint. On Facebook, I’m known as The MS Wellness

Coach. I specialize in empowering women with MS to combat fatigue and increase energy

levels naturally so that you can transform from existing to living life with vitality and

abundance.I am also an author of Blue Fingers Brass Knuckles – self-help book for those newly

diagnosed with MS.

If you would like to learn how to improve your overall health and manage your MS

symptoms naturally, click HERE to schedule your FREE strategy session with me!