Natural Sunburn Prevention

Beta-carotene effective as sunburn protector

From Dr Shaun Holt
The Facts:

• Dietary supplementation with beta-carotene appears to provide a degree of sun protection, according to the pooled results of 7 studies.
• In the studies, the protective effects of beta-carotene increased as the duration of supplementation increased.
• Nutritional protection against sun-induced skin damage is increasingly being recommended to the general public.

Dr Shaun Holt: Often the best way to see if a treatment works is to gather up all the studies that have assessed it and add the results – a meta-analysis. This meta-analysis found a definite beneficial effect from beta-carotene in protecting against sunburn and of particular interest was the finding that the longer the beta-carotene is taken for, the greater the protection, with at least 10 weeks of supplementation needed for an effect. Beta-carotene is a highly coloured precursor of vitamin A.

You can refer to http://www.naturalhealthreview.org/articles.cfm?ID=327

July Relaxation Techniques

Rosie Cox is a qualified and practising Yoga Teacher in Wanaka, New Zealand and offers this relaxation technique you can utilise at any time of day.

Connect with the quiet at the centre of your energies.

Begin by sitting or lying comfortably. Close your eyes, begin to deepen the breath and allow your body to settle, inviting relaxation. Observe your body as you allow the stillness to settle, only the movement of the breath, the sounds of your breath. Leen softly into your experience and give it your whole attention.

Now begin to ask this question into the space between your muscles, your bones, your ligaments, your cells: What is stillness? Now let your body experience the answer while you simply stay in the stillness of a witness to this experience. Let the body’s response wash into every part of you with a wave of relaxation and quietness. Feeling the relaxation wave wash through every part of your body, from the top of the head all the way down to the souls of the feet. As your body quietens, softens just be the witness to the stillness you gather.

Then notice the space of your awareness and allow it to relax within. Let sounds in the the distance pass you by and dont grasp onto them, keep lettting the quietness gather, the softness of the breath bring calmness to your entire being. Letting go of any sense of attachments to the outside world, letting the stillness dissolve any efforts as you simply relax.

(Once you have stayed in this quiet moment for a period of time) Gently start to notice your physical body again, feeling the sensations arising in the body. Noticing your environment, opening your senses to the sounds surrounding you.

Feeling the movement of your breath in the body, then gently start to bring movement back into the body and wiggle the toes and fingers, if lying down roll over to the right side in a foetal position for a few moments, when you are ready sitting up.

To complete the practice come into a prayer position to give thanks for this quiet time you have given to yourself.

Building Immune System Strength

Health writer Patsy Hamilton puts twenty years experience to work in her writing, she has some good ideas for boosting your immune system and the flu season approaches:

Building immune system strength is important at all times, but particularly as cold and flu season approaches. Everyone can benefit from boosting immune system responses, some more so than others. People who live or work in a high risk environment, such as a hospital or nursing home are exposed to more germs, viruses and bacteria and in order to avoid numerous colds and other bugs should be concerned about building immune system strength.

People who work with the public, have children in school, university students or even those who eat out frequently are exposed to hundreds of different viruses. A healthy immune system identifies and destroys these viruses, often before a person experiences any symptoms. Building immune system strength can also shorten recovery time when viruses are not immediately destroyed by initial immune system defenses. Boosting immune system defenses can be helpful, both for preventing illness and for treating illnesses, once symptoms are noticed.

In addition to good health habits, which include washing hands frequently and avoiding touching the nose or mouth after contact with the public, good nutrition and adequate rest are helpful for building immune system strength. There are many natural products that are believed to be good for boosting the immune system. Herbs, botanicals, essential minerals and certain vitamins can all be helpful for building immune system strength.

Vitamin C is important for building immune system strength. Vitamin C strengthens blood cells and helps the body assimilate iron and other important nutrients. Strong white blood cells are key factors for overall immune system health. Specialized white blood cells called helper T-cells identify those things that do not belong in the body, such as viruses, while others, killer T-cells, destroy them.

Vitamin C supplements can be helpful for boosting immune system strength if dietary amounts are inadequate. In addition those who are under stress, taking antibiotics, aspirin, sulfa drugs or using tobacco products, may need additional Vitamin C for building immune system health. Stress and the other substances mentioned have a “canceling” effect on Vitamin C. Vitamin C is most effective at boosting immune system responses when taken with calcium and magnesium. Calcium and magnesium help the cells of the body absorb Vitamin C and other essential nutrients. Most people have heard of Vitamin C, calcium and magnesium, but many people are unfamiliar with herbs, botanicals and plant components that can help the body by building immune system health.

Beta Glucans are plant components that have been the subject of numerous scientific and clinical studies. In one clinical study, patients who were given Beta Glucans had an increased number of helper T-cells circulating in the blood stream. In the scientific community, Beta Glucans are known to be effective for boosting immune system responses and are being studied for their potential use in diseases which affect the immune system, cancer treatment and cholesterol control. Some health supplements for building immune system strength contain Beta Glucans.

An interesting herb for boosting immune system health is Andrographis Paniculata or AP for short. AP has a history of use in traditional Chinese medicine for the effective treatment of infection, cold, fever and inflammation. Scientists who study herbs used in traditional medicine have shown that AP may be effective for the treatment of influenza, by reducing recovery time and the risk of complications. While some herbs recommended for building immune system help may be toxic when used for extended periods of time, AP has been shown in animal studies to have very low or no toxicity.

There are a number of herbs and botanicals which are believed to be effective for boosting immune system responses. Green tea, Siberian ginseng, piperine, olive leaf are a few more. Some of the better health supplements for building immune system strength contain all of the ones listed here and more. For more information about supplements for building immune system strength, visit www.immune-system-booster-guide.com.

Author: Patsy Hamilton has more than twenty years experience in health care and currently writes informational articles for the Immune System Booster Guide. Read more at www.immune-system-booster-guide.com.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Acai Berry Information – How Does Acai Berry Work?

The Health Benefits of Eating Chocolate

Health and nutrition blogger, Mark Sissons suggests eating chocolate is not a sin. Indeed, if you buy the right chocolate, health benefits abound:

Chocolate is a perennial gift, almost as common as soap and fruitcake. The quality ranges from High Fructose Corn Syrup tubular brown goo in Brand’s candies and Tootsie Rolls all the way up to $2000 boxes of exclusive Beverly Hills handcrafted cocoa confections. Most of us prefer something in between. While my wife always goes for the Belgium variety, I like the bitter raw flavor of the cocoa. My favorite is an 85% dark.

Despite the myth that chocolate causes pimples (it’s the sugar, not the cocoa!), chocolate has a wide spectrum of health benefits. It can lower blood pressure, reduce the instance of blood clots, and even help prevent cancer. It’s rich in phenolic phytochemicals-or in layman’s terms, antioxidants. Cocoa has even more antioxidant flavonoids than green tea or red wine.

But not all chocolate is created equal.

It’s not just the taste that separates A Nestle’s Crunch from a Scharffenberger’s dark chocolate bar. When trying to maximize the health benefits of chocolate you are receiving, always go for the dark. In fact, the higher percentage of cocoa, the better. 50% cocoa is really a good place to start, but I’d suggest jumping up to 70% if you can handle the strength. The reason health benefits in milk chocolate are so low is because such a low percentage of what you are actually eating is chocolate in the first place. In most cases, milk chocolate contains many more sugars and milk solids, which all but nullify the antioxidant from the actual cocoa powder.

So you’ve decided to go with the healthy dark chocolate. Now you need to weed out the processed from the natural brands. Heavy processing can dramatically reduce the antioxidant and flavonoid levels in otherwise healthy chocolate. Dutch processed chocolate is a particular culprit, not healthy chocolate in the least. So, go with organic brands. Or even better, find “single source” batch of chocolate. Higher end chocolate makers will source their bars like wines, making entire batches of bars harvested from one particular date from one particular region. To maintain authenticity, these brands of healthy chocolate go through minimal processing. Connoisseurs collect and cherish particular batches of single source cocoa bars. These chocolates offer some of the highest phenolic phytochemal levels and some of the best chocolate health benefits.

Finally, one good way to receive the health benefits of chocolate is to drink a cup of hot cocoa. No, not Swiss Miss or Nestle Quick (is that even chocolate at all?). Make your own cocoa the simple way, use warm milk and cocoa powder. You can also use melted baking squares for thicker consistency. Now you’re getting all the antioxidants from the cocoa without all the unnecessary sugar. And if you absolutely need the extra sweetness, you can use a little Splenda without losing the great chocolate health benefits. The goal is to maximize your health while satisfying your sweet tooth.

To recap, stick to the dark chocolate, buy organic, and try making your own hot cocoa.

The Author: Mark Sisson is a former professional triathlete who runs a popular health and nutrition blog, Mark’s Daily Apple. Check it out for more great articles and information on the Primal Blueprint, a revolutionary health plan using the principles of human evolution as the basis for modern, high protein, healthy living.

Manuka Oil Stronger Than Tea Tree Oil?

How To Avoid and Treat Insect Bites & Stings

Advise from The Wellness Shop on avoiding and treating insect bites and stings:

Allergic reactions from bee stings and mosquito bites are increasing. What can you do to avoid insect bites and stings in the first place? And how should you treat them if you do get stung or bitten by an insect?

Avoid Attracting Insects

Bees and wasps can be attracted to, or may react to, odours in the environment. It is best not to use perfume, cologne, or scented soaps, if you are going into an area of bee and/or wasp activity.

Unless you accidentally collide quite hard with, or swat at a bee or wasp, it is not likely to sting:

• Avoid going barefoot in vegetation, especially clover and blooming ground covers.
• Avoid wearing brightly coloured or patterned clothing.
• Avoid places you see insects flying to and from. Stinging incidents often occur when nesting areas of social insects are disturbed. Be observant of the area around you.
• Remain calm if a bee or wasp lands on your skin to inspect a smell or to get water from your sweat. The insect will leave of its own accord. If you don’t want to wait for it to leave, gently and slowly brush it away with a piece of paper.
• When swimming in pools, watch out for bees or wasps trapped on the surface of the water. If you find bees or wasps in the water, remove them to avoid being stung.

Cover Up to Reduce the Risk

Going to be in an area where you are likely to disturb an insect nest. Wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. It might even be a good idea to carry a military surplus collapsible mosquito/gnat veil with you.

Stinging insects often fly around the top of their targets. Stings in the face can be disorienting, so its best put on the veil, or pull a portion of your shirt over your head, and run away. Be sure that you can see where you are going! Insect repellent applied to your skin or clothing will deter these stinging insects.

What Are the Symptoms of An Allergic Reaction To A Bite or Sting?

Bee sting allergy symptoms often begin with a dry cough. Then the eye area begins to itch and swell. As symptoms progress, the patient begins to sneeze and wheeze, and develop hives that itch.

These symptoms may be warning signs of a dangerous condition called anaphylaxis. Symptoms include sudden anxiety and weakness, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, very low blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and shock. Anaphylactic shock can occur within minutes and result in death. A patient in anaphylactic shock needs immediate medical treatment.

What can I do after a bite or sting?

There are many modern and traditional remedies to counteract a bite or sting. Your local therapist and pharmacist will be able to help you further. Here are some remedies that you can do yourself easily:

• Apply manuka or tea tree oil on the affected area to soothe the pain and the itching.
• Try the homeopathic remedy “Apis”.
• In Bach flower therapy, the well-known “Rescue Remedy” gives emotional relief and can be taken along with any other medicines.

A New Treatment

An innovative method for immediate treatment uses plain pure heat (no electricity though!) that helps to suppress the histamine that would otherwise cause the allergic reaction. The advantage is that this takes only three seconds to use, is safe for kids and adults alike and easy to carry around.

This patented technology is used in the Biteaway device, available from many pharmacies and online. 

Author – The Wellness Shop tests all the natural therapies they sell online at www.wellness-shop.co.nz.