Archive for the ‘Health and Fitness’ Category

antioxidant nutrition

Lipoic acid or alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a fatty acid found naturally inside every cell of the body. It is a powerful antioxidant; a substance that neutralizes potentially harmful chemicals called free radicals in the body. Our bodies produce it in very small amounts and it is also found in foods such as spinach, Brewer’s yeast, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, peas, organ meats and rice bran. It converts glucose (or blood sugar) into energy. Let’s take at look at this widely touted supplement.

What makes ALA unique and gives it nutritional value is that it is both water and fat soluble, unlike the more common antioxidants vitamins C and E, and it appears to be able to recycle and extend the metabolic lifespan of antioxidants such as of vitamin C, glutathione, and coenzyme Q10, and it indirectly renews vitamin E. Vitamin C lessens oxidative stress while glutathione helps detoxify the liver. Coenzyme Q10 helps convert food energy into energy inside every cell while vitamin E helps with nerve conduction.

Used to treat a common complication of diabetes called peripheral neuropathy, Lipoic acid speeds the removal of glucose from the bloodstream. It enhances insulin function and reduces insulin resistance, which are the basis of most cases of obesity and coronary heart disease. ALA quickly and greatly reduces the severity and incidence of symptoms like burning and sharply cutting pain, numbness and prickling sensations felt in diabetic neuropathy.

Free radical damage is thought to contribute to aging and chronic illness. ALA helps neutralize those harmful chemicals. ALA can cross the blood-brain barrier; a wall of tiny vessels and structural cells, and pass easily into the brain. It is thought to protect brain and nerve tissue by preventing free radical damage and is used to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Because of those reasons, ALA is also used as a nutritional supplement to treat a myriad of other illnesses and diseases like cataracts, hardening of the arteries, hepatitis, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, high cholesterol levels, and even human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Though very few, a small number of side effects have been reported when using lipoic acid as a nutritional supplement. They include muscle cramps, skin rash, tingling or a “pins and needles” sensation, or headache. Because ALA can improve blood sugar control, diabetics who take medication to lower their blood sugar should be monitored by their health care provider when taking ALA. People on thyroid medications should also be under the supervision of their healthcare provider if they take this supplement as it can alter thyroid hormone levels.

For more advice about headache types and an updated version of headache medicines check out Relieve My Headaches.

Headache medicine is commonly prescribed to treat the pain frequently attributed to tension and stress headaches. These headaches can become a daily nuisance for patients, striking seemingly at random and seriously impairing quality of life. In some cases, headaches become a very real impediment to daily functioning. It is important to treat these headaches promptly, so as to restore both quality of life and easy daily functioning.

Over the counter medications such as ibuprofen, aleve, and acetaminaphen can do a great deal to alleviate headache pain. In some situations, more powerful headache medicine may be required in order to resolve the problem. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can typically help in a significant fashion to reduce headache pain, but sometimes more powerful medicines may be required. Triptans are a family of medications prescribed for serious pain, and are usually prescribed to sufferers of migraine headaches. Hormonal headaches are another serious cause of heavy headache pain. This kind of headache can be attributed to fluctuating hormone levels. Regular NSAID over the counter medication can also treat this variety of headache fairly effectively.

Sinus problems can also be a significant source of headache pain. Under these circumstances, sinus pressure building behind the nasal cavity can trigger intense pain. In severe cases, the nasal cavity becomes the site of an infection. When this happens, the pain can be quite severe. A persistent pain behind the eyes is a good sign of such an infection, as is any swelling or blood discharge from the nose. Decongestants, nasal sprays, and antibiotics can all act as effective treatments of are all good treatments for sinus infections, and may be necessary headache medicine.

In addition to headache medicine, prevention is an important part of treating frequent headaches. Primary headaches are by far the most typical kind of headache, and occur due to added tension or stress, either physical or emotional. Stress management can be an effective way to treat headaches, thereby helping to prevent them. Stress and tension headaches commonly begin as a feeling of tightness behind the eyes. This can be a good sign that headache medicine should be taken promptly to avoid further pain. Regular anti-inflammatories are typically a decent treatment when headaches begin to develop. Further treatment can include biofeedback, or massage therapy.

Meditation is one of the most popular ways to relax and unwind from all the different things that our modern lifestyle thinks we can cope with on a day to day basis.

There are a number of easy ways to meditate that can be performed whether you’re at work, in your house or even traveling by car.

These meditation methods are proven to quickly relax without forcing yourself to spend hours trying to relax.

In fact, they’re so simple that you don’t need to set aside a special room, or sanctuary to relax and meditate.

While some people choose to only use one room in their house, meditation really can be performed anywhere.

All you have to do is find a room that will be quiet, or place where there are no distractions. So you’ll need to keep your children occupied, turning off the television, and maybe darken the room. Don’t forget to put your cell phone on silent as well – these have an annoying habit of ringing just at the wrong moment!

Some meditation teachers will say that in order to meditate properly you must sit ramrod straight in a chair and keep your knees bent. If you’re comfortable sitting this way, no problem. But lots of people think that it’s simpler to carry out their meditation whilst they lie down on a bed, or sitting down in their favorite chair. The choice is yours and unless the instructions for your chosen meditation say otherwise, experiment to see which is best for you.

Then it is simply a matter of taking a few long, deep breaths and begin to concentrate on those breaths until your mind chatter fades away.

Remember that you shouldn’t try to force yourself to focus on just one thing, but rather let everything start to flow. After a few days or weeks of practicing it’s simple to begin to meditate in different places and at different times.

Meditation can help in focusing your mind, clear out your mind fog, and simply de-stress after a hectic, busy day.
Discover the best meditation method for you at Meditation Reviews