To improve your overall well-being and banish stressful feelings, a new report recommends singing. Yep, top of your lungs joyful song!
The report went on to say that there was some importance in knowing all the words to the song - but I have to wonder if that was an opinion rather than a fact. I say that because I hardly ever know all the words to any song, but get great stress relief by singing along to a really rockin' tune.
Better yet - dance! My email holds 4 or 5 great tunes that friends have sent over the years. If I let myself get down in the dumps I click over to one of them and get up and dance with myself.
The dogs look at me like I've lost it - but that's OK.
The Christmas season is here - and if it gets you down, try singing and dancing. You'll feel better both mentally and physically.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Antidepressant medications may trigger suicide!
Just read the news this morning about a young woman who was experiencing anxiety. Her doctor prescribed Klonopin and then gave her free samples of Cymbalta.
5 days later she was dead.
She started feeling bad the first day, but kept taking the pills; within 4 days she began talking about suicide, and the next day she did it.
According to the newspaper, the package inserts with prescriptions for Cymbalta clearly state that suicidal thoughts can be a side effect, but since she was given samples, neither she nor her family had seen a package insert.
Once again, this is a stark reminder to pay attention to your own body. Just because a doctor hands you something does NOT mean that it is good for you. It may be fine for someone else, but not for you.
Any time a medication makes you feel bad, you should quit taking it! This is true even if you begin experiencing headaches or nausea or any of a host of other side-effects - not just if you become suicidal.
Bad feelings are your body's way of telling you this is not a good thing. When you begin experiencing negative reactions after a change in medication it's a clear sign that the medication is harmful to you.
Go back to the doctor and explain your symptoms. Get a different drug if you must, but always remember that our bodies are all individual - one size does not fit all in clothing, foods, or medications.
5 days later she was dead.
She started feeling bad the first day, but kept taking the pills; within 4 days she began talking about suicide, and the next day she did it.
According to the newspaper, the package inserts with prescriptions for Cymbalta clearly state that suicidal thoughts can be a side effect, but since she was given samples, neither she nor her family had seen a package insert.
Once again, this is a stark reminder to pay attention to your own body. Just because a doctor hands you something does NOT mean that it is good for you. It may be fine for someone else, but not for you.
Any time a medication makes you feel bad, you should quit taking it! This is true even if you begin experiencing headaches or nausea or any of a host of other side-effects - not just if you become suicidal.
Bad feelings are your body's way of telling you this is not a good thing. When you begin experiencing negative reactions after a change in medication it's a clear sign that the medication is harmful to you.
Go back to the doctor and explain your symptoms. Get a different drug if you must, but always remember that our bodies are all individual - one size does not fit all in clothing, foods, or medications.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Home Remedies People Swear By... The raisin cure for arthritis
Several times lately people have mentioned the "raisin cure" for arthritis to me... so I found it for you!
You'll need:
1 lb. Golden raisins
1 pint Gin
Glass bowl
Glass jar with lid
Spread the raisins evenly on the bottom of the glass bowl and cover them with gin. Let them stay there until all the gin is absorbed by the raisins. This usually takes 5-7 days. do stir this occasionally to make sure all the raisins absorb the gin.
After all the gin is absorbed, transfer the raisins to the jar. Put the lid on. Do not refrigerate.
Each day eat 9 raisins. Only 9. This number seems to have some bearing on how this remedy works.
I am fortunate not to have this ailment, but I've heard this from people who do and they say it works wonders. Seems like it's worth a try, as long as you aren't allergic to raisins or gin.
You'll need:
1 lb. Golden raisins
1 pint Gin
Glass bowl
Glass jar with lid
Spread the raisins evenly on the bottom of the glass bowl and cover them with gin. Let them stay there until all the gin is absorbed by the raisins. This usually takes 5-7 days. do stir this occasionally to make sure all the raisins absorb the gin.
After all the gin is absorbed, transfer the raisins to the jar. Put the lid on. Do not refrigerate.
Each day eat 9 raisins. Only 9. This number seems to have some bearing on how this remedy works.
I am fortunate not to have this ailment, but I've heard this from people who do and they say it works wonders. Seems like it's worth a try, as long as you aren't allergic to raisins or gin.
Update on cayenne pepper to stop bleeding
Last time I wrote I told you that cayenne pepper halted a razor nick...
Well, a couple of evenings ago I was playing with one of the dogs and he accidentally tore a little triangular chunk of my skin loose - a little over 1/4 inch long on each side. (Not his fault - mine.)
Because it has so many healing and antibiotic herbs, I first sprayed Schneiders on it. (Sold in feed stores - it's marketed for horses and other livestock, but great for people, too.)
Then, because any time I poke a hole in my skin I generally bleed for quite a while, I got out the cayenne pepper and sprinkled it on my arm. The bleeding stopped instantly! Later that evening I did something to tear it loose so I sprinkled a little more... with the same result. Now, 2 days later, its healing so fast I feel like I can almost watch the progress!
I think I've found something wonderful!
Well, a couple of evenings ago I was playing with one of the dogs and he accidentally tore a little triangular chunk of my skin loose - a little over 1/4 inch long on each side. (Not his fault - mine.)
Because it has so many healing and antibiotic herbs, I first sprayed Schneiders on it. (Sold in feed stores - it's marketed for horses and other livestock, but great for people, too.)
Then, because any time I poke a hole in my skin I generally bleed for quite a while, I got out the cayenne pepper and sprinkled it on my arm. The bleeding stopped instantly! Later that evening I did something to tear it loose so I sprinkled a little more... with the same result. Now, 2 days later, its healing so fast I feel like I can almost watch the progress!
I think I've found something wonderful!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Are Olives a Miracle Drug?
The reading and research I've done over the past few days would lead me to believe so.
One of my clients is about to launch a new product that contains olive leaf, so to give "proof" to our claims of it's effectiveness, I started reading.
I learned that the use of dried olive leaf dates back to the ancient Egyptian and Mediterranean cultures, and is even cited in the Bible. That's a pretty long history of healing!
Clinical evidence has proven the blood pressure lowering effects of carefully extracted olive leaf extracts, and bioassays support its antibactrial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects.
But the benefits don't stop with the leaf. Olive oil offers protection against heart disease by controlling LDL cholesterol levels while raising HDL (good) cholesterol levels. It's protective function in the stomach has a beneficial effect on ulcers and gastritis, and because it activates teh secretion of bile and pancreatic hormones more naturally than precription drugs, it lowers the incidence of gallstone formation.
Studies on rats are now showing that olive oil reduces the risk of colon cancer - rating almost as high as fish oil in that regard.
Every report I read recommended taking two tablespoons of virgin olive oil daily. Of course, they recommend using it to replace other oils in your diet rather than just adding olive oil.
While all olive oil is good, the best is Extra Virgin - because it has not been overly processed and does not contain any other oils. Thus it has higher levels of antioxidants.
I also learned that your olive oil should be kept in a cool dark place, tightly sealed.
Contrary to popular hype, canola oil does not have the beneficial properties of olive oil - and may even contain a dangerous fatty acid. (I've been trying to stay away from that one for years - which unfortunately limits eating out.)
Olive oil burns easily, so for frying, nutrition experts recommend coconut oil. Because of its composition, the heat won't transition the oil into dangerous trans fatty acids.
Yours for good health - and good eating!
Marte
One of my clients is about to launch a new product that contains olive leaf, so to give "proof" to our claims of it's effectiveness, I started reading.
I learned that the use of dried olive leaf dates back to the ancient Egyptian and Mediterranean cultures, and is even cited in the Bible. That's a pretty long history of healing!
Clinical evidence has proven the blood pressure lowering effects of carefully extracted olive leaf extracts, and bioassays support its antibactrial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects.
But the benefits don't stop with the leaf. Olive oil offers protection against heart disease by controlling LDL cholesterol levels while raising HDL (good) cholesterol levels. It's protective function in the stomach has a beneficial effect on ulcers and gastritis, and because it activates teh secretion of bile and pancreatic hormones more naturally than precription drugs, it lowers the incidence of gallstone formation.
Studies on rats are now showing that olive oil reduces the risk of colon cancer - rating almost as high as fish oil in that regard.
Every report I read recommended taking two tablespoons of virgin olive oil daily. Of course, they recommend using it to replace other oils in your diet rather than just adding olive oil.
While all olive oil is good, the best is Extra Virgin - because it has not been overly processed and does not contain any other oils. Thus it has higher levels of antioxidants.
I also learned that your olive oil should be kept in a cool dark place, tightly sealed.
Contrary to popular hype, canola oil does not have the beneficial properties of olive oil - and may even contain a dangerous fatty acid. (I've been trying to stay away from that one for years - which unfortunately limits eating out.)
Olive oil burns easily, so for frying, nutrition experts recommend coconut oil. Because of its composition, the heat won't transition the oil into dangerous trans fatty acids.
Yours for good health - and good eating!
Marte
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Coumadin and cranberries don't mix
Just caught this article this morning - and since turkey and cranberries season is nearly here, it seemed like a good time to warn you.
According to the People's Pharmacy, cranberries can increase the anticoagulent effect of warfarin - the ingredient in Coumadin. The combination can lead to serious bleeding problems.
So... if you're taking Coumadin, leave the cranberry juice in the fridge and avoid cranberry sauce with your turkey dinner this Thanksgiving.
Be safe!
Marte
According to the People's Pharmacy, cranberries can increase the anticoagulent effect of warfarin - the ingredient in Coumadin. The combination can lead to serious bleeding problems.
So... if you're taking Coumadin, leave the cranberry juice in the fridge and avoid cranberry sauce with your turkey dinner this Thanksgiving.
Be safe!
Marte
Monday, November 10, 2008
Could anti-depressants cause Alzheimers?
I just ran across a good article on depression on Frank Mangano's health site...
It's worth reading if you or anyone you love suffers from depression. The world offers dozens of natural cures - everything from good music to juice supplements, to vitamins and minerals - and none of them will create brain lesions.
Here's to natural health...
Marte
It's worth reading if you or anyone you love suffers from depression. The world offers dozens of natural cures - everything from good music to juice supplements, to vitamins and minerals - and none of them will create brain lesions.
Here's to natural health...
Marte
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