Chromium GTF For insulin resistance

When I first became an insulin resistant diabetic I started reading up on diabetes as much as I could. I read in places how an insulin resistant diabetic is supposably lacking in the mineral called chromium which contributes to the person being an insulin resistant diabetic.

I started low carbing which helped. I then began lifting weights which also helped. Then I started taking chromium GTF along with the weight lifting and low carbing and it really done the trick. I presume the reason why it helped my blood sugars is because it is said to decrease ones insulin resistance. I read and found that there are several forms of chromium but the chromium GFT is the best for diabetics. GTF means glucose tolerance factor. It also seems to help my carb cravings decrease.

From the way I understand it this wont work as well for a type 1 diabetic but can work real well for type 2 diabetics who have not lost their ability to still make some insulin in their pancreas.
Bobbi Joe

Natural Cure For Cancer?

In my practice, people often ask me "do you have a cure for cancer?" They are understandably eager to find a silver bullet that will cure them of disease and make them healthy. The drug companies and doctors encourage this kind of thinking. They suggest that there are special medicines that will cure diseases, and we are encouraged to imagine that there are quick fixes available at the stroke of a doctor's pen.

I see things differently. Even though I do not believe that there is a miracle drug for cancer or for most of the other things that ail us, I do know from my practice that we can rekindle our natural power by bringing the way we live into greater harmony with nature, and that when we do so, we shift into much higher levels of vitality and well being. This often results in the complete disappearance of the symptoms of disease.

In fact, I've seen patients, time and again, who were given up as "terminal" come back to full healthy lives once they made the changes that allowed nature to take care of them.

When we make a shift into greater harmony with nature, all kinds of conditions in our physical and emotional lives can shift for the better - often radically. That's what I call a "natural cure". It's not something you can buy in a bottle -- it's something you already have, in potential, inside every cell of your body.

As Albert Schweitzer said, "Each patient carries his own doctor inside him. They come to us not knowing that truth. We are at our best when we give the doctor who resides within each patient a chance to go to work."

From my point of view, the reason many people get sick in the first place is because factors in their personal lives, or in their environment, cause their inner healing potential to become compromised. Often, the symptoms they are trying to rid of are actually signs, sometimes desperate ones, of their body's best efforts to get itself back into balance.

I have identified seven major factors that interact with each other to suppress our life force and cause health challenges. I call the effect of these factors the "HONSTEC Syndrome". I find that people get well when they reverse this syndrome.

My practice is dedicated to providing information and resources to enable people to reverse the HONSTEC syndrome and restore their health by freeing their own natural power. At the same time, I emphasize that anyone challenged by serious illness should get expert medical help as soon as possible. Professional medical support is vital through the entire progression of a disease until full recovery has been established. Of course, our definition of "expert" may evolve as we educate ourselves.

Natural Cures For Wrinkles.Most Effective

A dehydrated skin is more susceptible to sun damage and irritation caused by cosmetics, the skin is hydrated inside and outside, that is why it is necessary to drink enough amount of water during the day.

It is important to avoid caffeine in all of its forms: chocolate, coffee, tea and sodas. Control the use of alcoholic beverages and of course use a good moisturizer for your skin type.

As you know the skin around the eyes and lips is more delicate and sensitive than the rest of our body, therefore you need to use a special cream for this area of your body. Your neck also needs hydration as well as your face.

As we age our skin reduces their ability to hydrate so we have to use special moisturizers and take more care our body with the foods we eat. There are various natural cures for wrinkles like:

1.- Use an anti wrinkle cream with collagen around your eyes and lips daily.

2.- Eat fresh vegetables and fruits, they have all the antioxidants that your skin needs to repair the skin damage.

3.- Drink 10 glasses of water everyday to keep your skin hydrated.

4.- Avoid smoke and alcohol as much as possible.

5.- Avoid the sun exposure and use a sunscreen (SPF 60) during the day.

If you buy an anti wrinkle cream, you must choose a cream made of organic ingredients that are proven to be safe and produce positive results, most anti wrinkle creams is the market contain some percentage of chemicals and that can seriously damage your skin and cause more wrinkles in the long term.

Tinnitus Natural Cure - Is a Natural Cure For Tinnitus Possible

You would be surprised with the number of people that are actually suffering from tinnitus. As a matter of fact, even many individuals who do not claim to have ringing or noises in their ears still would hear these things whenever they are in a quiet room. You might actually be surprised that tinnitus is not a disease at all. What it actually is, is a symptom of a variety of different diseases or problems. It can be caused by anything from taking aspirin to head trauma.

There are many people that are searching for a tinnitus natural cure. The reason why this is so sought after it is because medical science is really unable to do anything about the problem at all. At the most, they will either give you advice on how to cope with it or perhaps tell you what is causing it. If you really want to cure the problem, however, you are going to have to do more than treat the symptom, you're going to have to get to the root of the disease.

Far too many people end up spending thousands of dollars in order to cure the problem. Fortunately, however, there is a tinnitus natural cure that can be done at home in only minutes a day. Many people are surprised that this treatment actually works at all, considering all the different things that they have tried in the past. The fact of the matter is, it has helped hundreds of people with their tinnitus problems and it can help you as well.

Control Your Blood Sugar With a Diabetes Natural Remedy

Diabetes affects over 170 million people world wide and that figure is expected to double by the year 2030 – according to the World Health Organization. Left untreated, it leads to cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, blindness and joint problems. In extreme cases, as you lose circulation to the peripheral tissues, amputations may become necessary. You can do something about this with a diabetes natural remedy involving changes to your diet, losing weight and supplementation – all of these together will allow you to control your diabetes and lead a normal life.

Type 2 Adult Diabetes

Type 2 Adult Diabetes really shouldn’t be called ‘Adult’ diabetes, since the majority of new diagnoses are in children; the blame for this lies fairly and squarely with the modern 'fast food' and soft drink diet. Risk factors for diabetes include:

• High intake of sugar, refined and processed flour, caffeine, and soft drinks

• Lack of exercise – sitting around playing computer games, for example

Symptoms are varied and may include: sudden weight gain or extreme weight loss, fatigue, frequent urination and chronic thirst – these are warning signs (amongst others) which should be checked out.

In Type 2 diabetes, you’re actually producing plenty of insulin - in fact maybe too much because of the high sugar intake. The job of insulin is to carry sugar to the cells where it’s used to make energy.

A positive test showing sugar in the urine and blood is another test. The blood of a diabetic becomes thicker and heart disease. stickier and the person can be more prone to blood clots which leads to stroke or heart disease.

In a diabetic, two things can happen: 1) The cells become resistant to insulin – in this case the cell membrane which is made up of goods fats and protein doesn’t function correctly and 2) The insulin becomes less effective – this is caused by excess intake of sugar, alcohol, refined flour etc depleting the minerals (particularly chromium) required to make the insulin work. Caffeine will severely aggravate the condition.

A diabetes natural remedy involves taking control of the disease, which is really nothing more than a nutritional deficiency and lifestyle disease.

To get the disease under control it’s a matter of losing weight, exercising, having a good diet and using the right supplements.

Steps to take for a Diabetes Natural Remedy

• Increase your protein intake – this repairs the cell membrane.

• Reduce your intake of sugar and increase your intake of complex carbohydrates.

• Lose weight and exercise – reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease

• Eat frequently - have 6 meals a day – this helps keep your blood sugar more constant.

• Completely avoid milk and alcohol.

• Drink plenty of fresh, filtered water (8-10 glasses per day) and no pop or soft drinks.

• Supplementation is essential – use all 90 essential nutrients and additional antioxidants.

Diabetics lose vital minerals and vitamins in their urine and this further complicates the disease. In addition, these same nutrients, when they are replaced will actually reverse the disease and prevent further complications

Note: When using a diabetes natural remedy, it's very important to monitor your blood sugar often – more than 4 times a day and monitor the medications with your health care professional. Your goal, and the goal or your health care provider, SHOULD be to reduce the medication you are on and to achieve a normal and healthy life.

You should also discuss any possible side effects of medications you are taking. Unlike many prescribed medications, the diabetes natural remedy approach will not affect your kidneys or your liver

• Drink plenty of fresh, filtered water (8-10 glasses per day) and no pop or soft drinks.

Start Taking Control

Recommended Supplements include:

• All 90 Essential Nutrients necessary for health including 98% absorbable plant derived liquid minerals, a multi-vitamin/amino acid supplement, and essential fatty acids to help rebuild the cells.

• A Chromium/Vandium supplement - will provide a diabetes natural remedy by assisting with natural regulation of blood sugar.

• An Antioxidant Supplement containing Vitamins A, C, E & Selenium - have been shown to improve both Type I and II diabetes.

Here’s a summary of how some of the essential nutrients work:

o Chromium and Vanadium – these two minerals can actually help the insulin transport sugar to the cells, or even replace its function. Chromium works to make insulin more effective and Vanadium can actually do the job of insulin and transport sugar to the cells. A study by the University of Vancouver in 1985 stated that: ‘Vanadium will replace insulin for adult onset diabetics.’ See our References section below for this report

o Zinc helps blood sugar get into the cells and helps insulin to work better; magnesium also makes the insulin work better and can lower your risk of diabetes complications such as blindness and heart attack; selenium, copper and manganese all have a protective cellular function when blood glucose levels are high and selenium can assist with lowering blood sugar.

o Vitamin C and vitamin E help get sugar out of the blood stream and into the cells, keeps the blood vessels healthy and help protect against kidney damage and heart attack. Vitamin E may improve the body's response to insulin. Biotin (a B group vitamin) can lower blood glucose; B6 and B12 along with Folic acid also may help prevent diabetic complications.

o Essential fatty acids supplements help rebuild the cells, and may assist with better weight control and reduce blood sugar levels

o A herbal extract from a climbing plant known as Gymnema sylvestre has been used since the 6th century BC and helps lower blood sugar and repair damage to insulin producing cells in the pancreas

Hypoglycaemia

In any discussion about a natural diabetes remedy, it’s important to talk about hypoglycaemia as this can lead to diabetes and serious health problems. It’s characterized mainly by mood changes such as nervousness, irritability, lack of concentration (typical symptoms of lack of blood sugar).

In a hypoglycemic person, as the blood sugar level begins to drop - they respond to this by taking sugar. In addition the adrenals start producing more adrenalin to raise the blood sugar levels. The blood sugar level gets very high and the body starts to produce excess insulin. This can then lead to a cycle of blood sugar highs and lows.

If untreated or poorly maintained, this can easily lead to Adult Type 2 Diabetes or even worse, the adrenal glands may stop functioning correctly causing major problems.

There may also be medical reasons for this to occur, such as an insulin tumor, or a tumor on the adrenal gland, this would be diagnosed by a doctor.

The diabetes natural remedy described above:- 1) having a diet low in sugar, high in protein; 2) taking supplements – including the essential nutrients plus a chromium and vanadium supplement; 3) and eating 6 meals a day – will work for people suffering from hypoglycemia.

The additional vitamin C, vitamin E, minerals and essential fatty acids you get from supplementing, will also support the adrenals and cell membranes, and make the body’s control of blood sugar more effective.

Type 1 diabetes or ‘Juvenile’ onset diabetes

A diabetes natural remedy can be applied also to Type 1 diabetics. In this instance, no insulin is being produced by the pancreas (the Islets of Langerhans). In this case the adrenals and the liver are involved in the control of blood sugar.

Your aim should be to try to use as little insulin as possible to do the job of controlling blood sugar. Adopt the same approach as for Type 2 diabetes, that is:

* Increase your protein intake and have 6 meals a day

* Reduce your intake of sugar and increase your intake of complex carbohydrates

* Supplementing is essential. You need to take in all 90 Essential Nutrients necessary for health including plant derived liquid minerals, a multi-vitamin/amino acid supplement, and essential fatty acids to help rebuild the cells. An additional supplement of chromium and vanadium will provide a diabetes natural remedy.

Here’s a Summary of the major points in this article:

Diabetes is a complex nutritional deficiency disease that can be managed by simple changes to lifestyle, diet and through supplementation. A diabetes natural remedy involves:

1. Eliminating sugar, bad fats and caffeine from your diet and increase your intake of protein, fibre, plenty of water and ‘good’ fats.

2. Eat plenty of green leafy vegetables and small to moderate amounts of fruit

3. Have up to 6 high protein meals per day

4. Exercise and lose weight – this will lower your risk of a number of other complications – including heart disease

5. Supplement with all 90 essential nutrients including plant derived colloidal minerals, a good multi-vitamin supplement and essential fatty acids.

6. A Chromium/Vanadium Supplement is also needed for a diabetes natural remedy

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Newland

Popularity of Natural Cures

Historically all cures we used were "natural" but the growth in "orthodox" medical treatments saw a change in emphasis. There was a growth in medication that was being synthesised in laboratories by scientists. Some natural cures were hijacked by the medical profession and claimed as startling new discoveries. Penicillin is a good example of this; it is a completely natural cure for many forms of bacterial infections.

There is plenty of evidence that modern synthetic medicines have, in general, had a beneficial effect on the health of society, however there have been many examples of their serious and even lethal repercussions which has led to many more people searching for safer natural alternatives to those being offered by orthodox treatments. The increasing use of chemicals in our environment causes concern for many people and these concerns have also fueled the search for more natural cures.

The general perception that natural treatments can be much more effective, they not only cure the disease but they endeavour to eliminate the basic root of our illness and any type of disturbing elements within our body. We can then achieve better health not only for today but also for the future.

Natural cures must not be only thought of as remedies found naturally in nature, there has been a massive growth in alternative therapies in recent years. Most of these therapies offer a safe "natural" non intrusive form of therapy that complements and even replaces more orthodox medical practices.

Finally we must bear in mind that the "it's natural therefore it must be ok" school of thought should remember that Nature over many billions of years has also produced a wide variety of drugs that are more dangerous than anything man has produced so far.

Hair Restoration Products: Do they Really Work?

You may want to attend a FREE private consultation about hair restoration procedures and medications in your city (USA only) and get Sample bottles of special shampoo & conditioner mailed to you FREE right now.


The question of hair restoration products and do they really work is one that doesn’t offer a yes or no answer. This is because many of them do work on some individuals while others don’t see any results from them. This is very common due to a person’s medical issues, body chemistry, and the reason behind their hair loss. It is very similar to the way some cancer patients respond well to treatment and others don’t. Everyone is different so no one treatment works on all of us.

Some of the various hair restoration products on the market have been very effective in helping with hair loss. However, many of them don’t promote the fight against hair loss in the manner in which they advertise. After a hair follicle dies it won’t come back to life. Each of us will have millions of hair follicles that die in our lifetime. Generally new follicles open up in close proximity so we don’t even notice.

Many of the hair restoration products out there use this information to help stimulate the scalp so that new hair follicles grow. Topical solutions that get applied to the scalp make new hair grow in that area. This gives the user the false belief that new hair has grown from their dead follicles because they don’t realize new hair follicles have been created. So, hair restoration products do work but not as they claim to. Most people who use such hair restoration products don’t really care. They are just happy to be able to grow more hair.

Many people who suffer from hair loss use these various hair restoration products. The prices of them have dropped in recent years so more people are able to afford them. New products that enter the market still come out with a hefty price tag. You can expect to pay up to $1,000 for a full month supply.

As we previously discussed, these hair restoration products won’t work for everyone. Those who suffer from diseases on the scalp aren’t able to use them because it can cause a bad reaction or infection. You should always consult with your doctor before you start using any kind of hair restoration products. Attend a FREE private consultation in your city and get Sample bottles of hair restoration medications right now

Natural Hair Loss Remedy - Your Inexpensive Hair Loss Solution

You may want to attend a FREE private consultation about hair restoration procedures and medications in your city (USA only) and get Sample bottles of special shampoo & conditioner mailed to you FREE right now.

Hair loss is a natural phenomenon that is prevalent globally, irrespective of gender, race or culture. There are various hair loss treatments available in the market. It can be treated using chemical based medications or using hair transplantation mechanism. However, the later one is not accepted by every one due to its radical character.

Some people do not prefer to adopt chemical based medicine due to its inevitable side effects. However, a majority of individuals actually depend on natural hair loss remedy. This remedy is not limited to any particular herbs or nature derived vitamins, but the area is truly vast and is found to be effective in most of the cases without any apparent side effects associated with it. This article focuses on some of the useful common herbs and their role as natural hair loss remedy.

Green Apples

A natural polyphenol compound derived from green apple is found to be effective in promoting the growth of the hair. This is especially beneficial for men in their male pattern baldness. Research has shown that the appropriate and continual usages of this naturally derived polyphenol for a minimum period of 6 months can effectively prop up both vellus and terminal hair growth in a significant fashion. Vellus hair refers to the short hair which never grows longer with time.

On the other hand, terminal hair refers long hair that keeps increasing. A various number of studies have reported that it is beneficial for majority number of individuals. These studies also confirmed that after using this natural hair loss remedy, the quality of hair also improves quite significantly. Studies also showed that only apple extract can work well for new hair growth, it also nourishes hair naturally.

Omega 3 and Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3 and Omega 3 fatty acids are rich with anti-inflammatory property. These are useful for treating hair problems as well as for maintaining healthy hair. Research has shown that if you increase the quantity of omega 3 fatty acid to a substantial amount, it can actually help in hair loss. You may have it from soybean oil and canola oil, which you directly apply on your scalp by mixing it with coconut oil. Also you may have salmon, mackerel, sardines, lake trout and albacore tuna in your diet to fulfill the demand for omega 3. This wonderful natural hair loss remedy not only help having you a real healthy silky hair, but also help you to stay tuned from inside.

Ginger

This natural hair loss remedy is well-respected in herbal study since ages because of its ability to stimulate the hair follicles, hence to promote hair growth. It is also useful for preventing hair to become thinner. It is rich with fatty acid, so it also helps preventing premature hair loss and premature baldness.

Capsicum

It has the ability to increase the growth of the hair up to 50%. It also enhances blood circulation on the scalp. It releases histamine that effectively stimulates cell division. Hence, it also augments hair follicles as well as it promotes new growth of hair.

Rosemary

We all know that dandruff is of the major causes for hair fall. Rosemary, the valuable natural hair loss remedy, helps fighting against dandruffs. If used regularly on the scalp, it lowers the possibility of having dandruff by 80%. The circulatory movement of rosemary also removes sebum accumulation on the scalp. Rosemary is thus really effective care for fighting against your hair loss.

There are not sufficient scientific studies conducted in the support of the actual usefulness of these herbs on hair. However, it is seen that these herbs can be used for maintaining the quality of the hair and from preventing hair loss by slowing it down than before. If you like to use these herbs for enhancing your hair growth, you may consult with your doctor for their best usages. But this is always advisable that you should not exceed recommended dosage as prescribed by the health practitioner. Attend a FREE private consultation in your city and get Sample bottles of hair restoration medications mailed to you right now

Natural Cures for Diabetes

I have often heard diabetic people saying that they are tired of all the drugs their doctors have prescribed to them. On the other part they've begun to have liver or any other body's organ problems.

The same happened to my parents too. They used to have an entire plastic box with lots of diabetics medications. They don't want to have it any more.

So, there are many attempts to find out the natural cures for diabetes, with no more drugs' plastic box and their devastating side effects. All the remedy you can find in nature. I did it for my parents too.

At the beginning I did not believe it would work. But, when I began to serve them to my parents, I was astonished by the results. Their blood sugar level shifted down and their problems with skin infection and leg numbness were almost gone. I was pleased to see my parents happy with a lower blood sugar level.

What I've done was to try what I've learned about some herbs and vitamins and minerals that can help diabetic people to lower blood sugar level, and help them to have a happier life with less problems and side effects beating diabetes naturally.

Some of these natural cures for diabetes are included in one combination that can easily help diabetics:

bitter melon-which is high in insulin;

cinnamon-which has some components that can lower blood sugar level, gymnema sylvestre-enhances the insulin production, banaba, vitamin C, chromium, garlic, and many other.

Diabetes - How to Check Blood Sugar Level Yourself

Diabetes is one of the most prevailing diseases now a day. Population of diabetic patients is increasingly dramatically since last few years. So it is very important to keep a check on diabetes. In this concern you yourself play a big role in managing your diabetes. First, you need to know how diabetes affects your body.

To Check your blood sugar regularly tells you whether your lifestyle, your physical activity, meal plans, and medicines doing a good job controlling your diabetes. There are two easy methods to test your blood sugar level yourself. They take less than two minutes.

  • Finger-stick method
  • Noninvasive method

FINGER-STICK METHOD

Most equipment for checking blood sugar level involves pricking your finger with a tiny needle (lancet) to draw a drop of blood. Some draw the blood from your forearm. For reading your blood sugar level, you can use a blood glucose meter that will show the number on its screen.

There are many types of meters. Your doctor can help you choose one and show you how to use it. If you still have questions, check the instructions that came with your meter. There are many Newer options also available in the market rather than a lancet for creating the tiny hole needed to draw the blood from the finger like they test blood from other less sensitive parts of the body than the fingertips.

These new devices draw blood in ways similar to the finger-stick method.

To check your diabetes through finger stick method, follow these simple steps:

Step 1 - Wash your hands with warm water and dry them well with a clean towel. You can also use an alcohol wipe to clean the finger that you'll draw blood from. Hold your hand below your waist for a minute or so. This helps blood pool in the finger, making it easier to get enough blood for the test.

Step 2 - After preparing your lancet and glucose meter, have a clean test strip ready. Stick the side of your fingertip with the lancet. There are many kinds of lancets and meters. Some draw blood from your forearm. Your lancet and meter may not look like the one in this photo.

Step 3 -Put a drop of blood on the test strip.

Step 4 -To get your results, follow the directions that came with your blood sugar meter. Some meters can give results in a few minutes.

Step 5 -Write down the results and the time you did the test.

Mostly doctors will use these records to see how well you're managing your blood sugar level.

NON-INVASIVE METHOD

Any other blood sugar testing tool does not draw blood. You wear it on your wrist like a watch and it takes the reading through your skin. It uses a slight electrical current to pull fluid through the skin and into the machine, where it measures the sugar level.

The watch can't replace your regular finger-stick test. But the watch lets you see trends in how your blood sugar changes over the course of the day.There are some guidelines to check your diabetes with noninvasive method.

Some general guidelines for checking your blood sugar level are given as below

  • Wear the device for a three-hour warm-up before taking a reading. During this time, don't bathe or swim.
  • Adjust the device by entering a blood sugar measurement that you've gotten by the finger-stick method every time you use the watch.
  • The device will automatically take readings every 20 minutes for up to 12 hours. It can be programmed to sound an alarm if your blood sugar reaches dangerously high or low levels.

Depression - Am I Crazy?

Let us talk about happiness. Most of us want to be happy, all the time, no matter what is going on around us! It's plain and simple. But, being happy, how do you do that, get there, be that?

Maybe happy is not really what you are looking for. After all, happy is just like any other emotion...it comes and it goes. Perhaps what you seek is the ability to feel joy. Not just alive and surviving, but energized, excited, and living the life of your dreams. Imagine feeling joy beyond your wildest dreams as you live in your body, glad to be you, putting energy into your life's work, and creating stimulating experiences. Joy also means accepting your human emotions, experiencing the ups and downs of life, while learning to breathe and let things pass in their own time.

So how do we gain this feeling of joy? As paradoxical as it may sound, perhaps for some of us the path to joy leads us first through depression.

What does depression look like?

Lately Jane just does not feel like herself. She does not have the energy to do much of anything lately. She lies around a lot, feeling empty and not sure which way to go. Decisions seem overwhelming. She often cries although nothing in specific is wrong. Jane feels shame, wonders what is wrong with her, and thinks she must by crazy. Everyday she asks herself, "why do I feel this way?" and "why can't I make this go away?" She musters up enough energy to make it through the day and creates a happy facade so people will not see the pain she is in. Jane is depressed.

Depression is not the same thing as feeling sad, blue, or down. Most of us have our ups and downs, our good days and bad. Everyday events, and our reactions to them, sometimes interfere with our peace of mind. Some unhappiness, the blues, or an occasional low mood is common when disappointed. This sadness is all part of life.

In contrast, depression affects the entire body, not just the mind. It can lead to an imbalance in the delicate chemistry of your brain and affect your emotions, feelings, thoughts, behaviors, physical functioning, and health. It can also affect the way you eat and sleep, the way you feel about yourself, and the way you see the world. With depression, the misery can be so great, and persist for so many weeks without relief, that a person may begin to think that life is not worth living anymore.

Symptoms of Depression

• Depressed mood for most of the day
• Persistent sad or "empty" feelings
• Loss of appetite or loss of weight
• Eating more than usual and gaining weight
• Trouble sleeping, insomnia, or oversleeping
• Anxiety
• Feeling tired all the time or finding everything is an effort
• Not caring anymore about work, hobbies, friends, or sexual activity
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly, or indecisiveness
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Excessive or inappropriate guilt
• Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

Other problems people experience during a clinical depression include:

• Frequently feeling on the verge of tears
• Waking up early in the morning, with difficulty returning to sleep
• Feeling worse in the morning
• Feeling anxious or irritable
• A gloomy view of the future
• Physical pain or headaches
• Cravings for certain foods

Accepting Depression

If you are struggling with depression, you may have tried countless therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, energy healers, self-help books, and programs. You may have practiced the power of positive thinking, studied the law of attraction, practiced meditation, or looked into religion for you answers. Through all these strategies, you have been at war with your depression, doing everything within your power to get rid of it. Pharmaceutical companies try to convince us that depression is an illness caused by an imbalance in brain chemicals. If we simply take medication, we can quickly get back to feeling better again. If only the answer were so simple. Perhaps there is a gift beyond depression that can only unfold if you first accept your experience instead of trying so hard to make it disappear.

Depression and Personal Growth

An easy start to shifting depression is to consider that depression is not dysfunctional, not a mental illness, but deeply meaningful. Consider the idea that depression may be a naturally arising expression on your journey of evolutionary growth. Yes, depression is dark, and a time of misery and suffering. Yet, it also a time when we ask deeply personal questions: Who am I? What does it mean to be human? What makes life worthwhile? Is depression really something that we should avoid, or an illness that we should "cure?" Should our profound questions be pushed down into silence with medication and drug therapy? The distress you feel is real, the suffering immensely painful, and there is a very real risk of ending your own life. However, what if you are in distress but yet not ill? When you look inside, do you really believe, on a soul level, that your pain is simply due to a chemical imbalance - or might there also be a meaningful spiritual aspect to your journey through depression?

Why Does Depression Occur?

Depression is a time of big change, a time of choosing if we dare release the beliefs that have kept us alive, surviving, and conformed. Depression is a time of questioning the foundational beliefs we hold. This is not a bad thing. Yet, when we question deeply held beliefs the problem lies in the fact that we temporarily lose safety, meaning, and purpose of life. Leaving something behind and moving into something unknown can cause different reactions for different people. Some people sail more easily through change, but most of us tend to go kicking and screaming. Indeed, when great change is upon us, for many people the experience will turn into a period of great depression.

Depression involves an interim of releasing old ways of believing yet we have not yet embodied new beliefs or new life skills. Depression, and thoughts of suicide, happen when we are in turmoil, caught between the end of an old way of living and a terrifying desire to live in a new way. In this transition, we cannot feel the joy of being alive. Internal anxiety rises and there is nothing we can do to run or hide from the conscious realization that we feel alone. We feel lethargic, powerless, and trapped. It seems as if the pain exceeds our capacity to deal with it.

One Step Forward

If you have feelings of depression, you have those feelings for a reason. Accept that your depression is real, that you feel miserable, and that you are questioning whether you choose to continue living in the same way that you have always lived. Remind yourself that there is no mandate that you must be happy and content. You may eventually discover that your depression was more profoundly necessary that you can yet consciously imagine. Depression deals with a deeper relationship issue with the self, the transformation of your physical body, and a deeper connection to your spirit.

Who Understands Your Depression?

Who has the meaning of your depression? You do. Consider asking yourself not to judge yourself or your depression so harshly. Invite a small bit of curiosity to your experience:

• Is it wrong to be depressed?
• Should you be socially outgoing, interactive, or not a loner?
• Should you get on with life?
• If you are asking yourself, "should I live?" what is your answer?
• What would make your life worth living?

Depression Runs Its Course

Depression signifies a great time of deep transition. If you are depressed, it is natural to want the pain to end. However, consider the idea that perhaps your pain is necessary. You feel the heartache, the loneliness, the despair of your life. For a while, perhaps your pain needs to run its course. It may just be a natural outcome of wanting to evolve and live your life differently, but at the same time being terrified, uncertain, and grieving for what you must let go in order to move forward. At some point during your depression you will arrive at a decision making point. You can decide to release certain beliefs, adopt new ways of believing, and move forward with the new experiences your life will bring. Alternatively, you could decide to remain in your suffering for a long time. A third choice exists and that is to end your life as a way of ending the painful conflict. There is no right choice to make. It is your life and you must choose what feels right for you, not only in your mind and emotions, but also in your heart and soul.

Do You Choose Life?

During your time of depression, you are considering whether you choose to take the next step in your evolution. Do you decide to let go of self-doubt, move beyond the limitations of your former beliefs, and bring new balance to your mind, body, and spirit? Do you consciously choose to be alive in a new way? If so, for what purpose and meaning? When you accept that your depression is a time of change and release, you can begin to see that you are asking yourself to live in a new way. You are making a choice to release formerly held beliefs and discover what lies beyond those beliefs. Offer yourself compassion as you see that your depression has significance and importance.

Breathe

What to do if you are depressed? Breathe. If you can accept that your depression has deep personal meaning, if you can accept the experience in which you find yourself, and if you make the conscious decision to be alive, then the best therapy is to consciously breathe. You don't need any fancy breathing techniques. Just breathe more deeply than you are right now. Breathing helps move the heaviness of depression. Breathe with intention to fill up with life. You already know that depression does not hold much light, not much energy. Breathing will arouse energy. You can't just wait for energy to flow into you. You must decide to choose life, breath, and energy. If you can, get up and go for a walk outside. Get some fresh air and sunshine. Breathe. If you just arouse a little bit of energy, it will help you to generate a bit more energy, and that uplifts you and gets you moving out of the depression.

Depression involves the very real emotional despair of living day to day with real hopelessness. There is no one right way through depression. Your life is very important, including those times when you are in transition or depressed. Use the ideas above to help support yourself as you choose to bring new meaning into you life.

How To Break The Alcohol Habit

It's a sad fact that alcoholics are often the butt of jokes. They're also often encouraged in their behavior - after all, laughing with a drunken person can seem quite amusing at the time.

But this innocent encouragement can lead to more serious consequences.

Alcohol is a depressant.

Used in moderation, most studies show alcohol to be either neutral or even beneficial to health.

But taken to excess, it causes liver and other problems.

The best time to stop your addiction to alcohol is before it has completely taken a grip on your life:

* Cut down the amount you drink. Reducing the frequency and amount that you drink is an excellent first step.

* Drink with friends rather than on your own. Good friends will warn you when it looks as though you have drunk more than is good for you. They'll also help you get home safely and help you nurse your hangover away.

If you've gotten beyond that stage, seek out a support group. Alcoholics Anonymous can be found with a simple online search or in your phone book. Go along to a meeting and you'll find a supportive group of people who will help you in your quest to get back in control of your life.

It may also help to consult your doctor or other health professional. They've helped countless other people and will have good first hand knowledge of the different methods of reducing or stopping your alcohol consumption. Quiz them on the success rates of the different methods they recommend and read some of the excellent material online to get another opinion, always remembering to check who sponsored the research you're reading.

Moderation In Alcohol Treatment

Since the late 1970's so-called 12 Step, or Minnesota Model, based treatment has been nearly the only approach available to people seeking help with alcohol and drug abuse problems. This is startling given their long term success rates of less then ten percent. Only recently have alternatives begun to receive some of the attention they deserve.

What are the alternatives? There are variations ranging from those which are very similar to the 12 Step model but which avoid what many consider to be AA's religious cult features. Some reject the long promoted but unsupported "disease" concept of addiction, and others offer help, and hope, for those seeking to moderate their usage. Some advocate medical support in the form of anti-craving medications and still other incorporate cognitive behavior therapy.

This array of approaches is good news for potential clients for some very good reasons - no single approach is effective for everyone, nor is abstinence the only desirable outcome. Reality is that both methods and ends that are tailored to individuals produce the best outcomes. While this makes obvious sense, it isn't apt to be embraced by an industry that has grown up around a one size fits all approach, and which acknowledges only one solution - life long abstinence and forever recovery.

This reluctance to change isn't hard to understand. Alternatives require assessment and therapeutic skills, all part of a client centered focus that doesn't fit with "following the program" - a program which denies differences, strengths, circumstances or degree of impairment among a vast array of contributory factors. No one would expect hospitals to pursue the exact same treatment for fifteen different types and stages of cancer, but treatment programs routinely do exactly that. Negative outcomes can hardly come as a surprise.

What's a person seeking help to do?

Don't assume that you're helpless. You aren't. Ad copy to the contrary, you aren't powerless. Nor do you need to sign up for a lifetime of meetings, groups, and labels. You may not even need to stop drinking entirely. You will have to change your life, but that can be enhancing, not demeaning. You may need to develop some assertiveness in place of false courage but that's not a loss either. You will have to assume responsibility for your past, present, and future rather than blaming your problems on alcoholism, but would you rather be a fully capable functional adult or a victim?

Look for help from those who respect you and your abilities, not those who focus on weaknesses and impairment. See if they'll discuss your desired outcomes, not their single end focus, and see if they'll work with you to devise a strategy tailored to you, not a program they intend to mold you to. The help you deserve is that which helps you improve your life and the lives of those around you, not one that isolates you within a latter-day cult.

Good help is available. Don't settle for treatment that is ineffective, out-dated, and focused on your weaknesses. Embrace your strengths, abilities, and power; and look for truly professional counselors and programs who do the same.

Are natural ingredients as effective as drugs for the treatment of Arthritis and joint pain

There are three main natural ingredients available to help combat joint pain and the pain caused by arthritis. These three are Devil's Claw, Glucosamine and Boswellia.

Devil's Claw is indigenous to the Kalahari Desert in Africa. Because of its strong anti-inflammatory properties the herb is now used throughout the world to treat joint pain and arthritic pain throughout the body. Scientific analysis shows that the most significant active ingredients in Devil's Claw are monoterpine, harpagoside, glycoside, beta-sitosterol, procumbine and stigmasterol.

Clinical research has shown the effectiveness of Devil's Claw in treating joint conditions like osteoarthritis, fibrositis, rheumatic arthritis and small joint disease (Lecompte & Costa, 1992). Devil's Claw has also been found very effective in the treatment of pain in the lower back (Chrubasik, 1996).

In a 1981 study it was found that Devil's Claw significantly reduced the serum cholestol and uric acid levels. Devi's Claw has also been found to be effectivein stimulating the body's natural lymphatic node system thus enhancing its resistance against ill health.

Glucosamine is produced naturally in the body and is found in relatively high concentrations in the joints and connective tissues where its main function is to repair cartilage and maintain joint mobility. Glucosamine Sulphate is one of the best form of glucosamine supplement available and it has been shown that between 90 percent and 98 percent is readily absorbed into the body.

Because of it's healing properties and the fact there a few reports of side effects Glucosamine has been approved for the treatment of arthritis pain and other joint and muscular pain in more than eighty countries throughout the world. Research has shown glucosamine's ability to both decrease pain and reduce inflammation whilst also allowing an increase in the range of motion in the joints, helping to repair aging and damaged joints throughout the body.

Recent studies have indicated that glucosamine may be at least as if not more effective than the non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as aspirin and ibuprofen but without the harmful side-effects connected with these medicines. While NSAIDS provide effective pain relief for arthritis and other joint pain they can also reduce the production of cartilage in the body. In doing so this obviously worsens the condition in the long run and so increases the dependence on the drugs. Not only does glucosamine relieve pain but it also reduces inflammation, repairing the cartilage damage rather than just masking pain.

For thousands of years Boswellia has been used as a natural anti-inflamatory. Extracts of the gum of this tree, which is mainly found in India, have long been used to relieve joint pain and inflammation. Modern scientific research has confirmed that boswellic acids contained within the herb are able to stop the formation of leukotrienes, the immune cells responsible for inflammation. With regular use blood supply to the joints is also maintained allowing for soft tissue to be nourished and viable.

Scientific research has shown that boswellia has the ability to inhibit the inflammatory mediators in the body, reducing pain and inflammation without irritating or ulcerating the lining of the stomach. Boswellia has also seen to be highly effective in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

To sum up then we can see that nature has given us powerful remedies for joint pain and the pain of arthritis. Glucosamine, Devil's Claw and Boswellia have been shown to be able to reduce pain and inflammation within the body's joints but without the side effects of drugs. There are a number of products on the market today which contain a combination of all three of these natural ingredients and which have been rigourously tested and has been proven to treat arthritis and joint pain naturally and effectively.

Celery Cures Gout ? It May Reduce Pain, Lower Blood Pressure, And Be A Gout Remedy

Both celery stalks and seeds are touted as gout remedies for reducing uric acid levels, reducing pain, and as a diuretic to lower blood pressure. How can the humble celery stalk, or extracts of its seeds, be so helpful?

Gout cures require the reduction of uric acid levels. The usual clinical target is a serum (blood) level of 6 mg/dL. Reducing uric acid levels often dissolves the MSU crystals which are mainly formed from uric acid. The immune system’s reaction to these crystals is the immediate cause of pain and inflammation. Drugs such as Allopurinol are xanthine oxidase inhibitors -- it inhibits the enzyme which is responsible for a major step in converting purines into uric acid in the liver, so less uric acid is produced.

Celery is one of the natural substances which may inhibit xanthine oxidase, according to a study on rats, where rats lowered their uric acid from 3-n-butylpthalide, or 3nB for short. This is the substance in celery that gives celery its distinctive smell and flavour.

But 3nB’s benefits for gout sufferers go further. 3nB also has diuretic properties. Thus it promotes the excretion of urine and can lower uric acid levels by improving its excretion in urine. Furthermore, as a diuretic, it acts to reduce blood pressure which is important for gout sufferers because high blood pressure frequently accompanies gout.

CELERY AND PAIN RELIEF

Two small studies reached interesting and hopeful conclusions about celery as a pain reliever. A celery extract, standardized to contain 85% 3nB was given to 15 arthritis, osteoporosis and gout sufferers. They took 34mg twice daily for three weeks. After three weeks the patients reported lower pain levels, and some reported complete pain relief.

Obviously encouraged by the results, the study was repeated among a larger group, 70 patients this time, who took a higher dosage (75mg) twice daily for three weeks. The results were better than in the first study. The probability that this beneficial outcome was NOT a consequence of the dosage was calculated at 1 in 1,000 chances.

Two small studies “do not make a summer.” And more research is required to learn more about celery’s positive effect on uric acid levels.

EXPERT OPINION

Noted experts have also endorsed celery as a gout remedy. A well known naturopathic doctor, Michael Murray N.D., author of “Dr.Murray’s Total Body Tune Up” has recommended celery, with the usual caveat that more needs to be learnt about how it works.

Another fan of celery, Dr. James Duke PhD, the author of “The Green Pharmacy,” developed gout and tried Allopurinol. Then he swapped Allopurinol for celery seed extract. He reported celery seed extract maintained his uric acid level below that which can often cure gout, and that he had not had a gout attack since he began taking celery seed extract. The interesting thing is that he was able to discontinue Allopurinol, and that he said a human, as well as rats, can at least maintain lower uric acid levels from celery.

So there it is. Two experts have endorsed celery and two small studies showed promising results. Celery can be beneficial for gout, reduce blood pressure and alleviate pain. Unwanted side effects were not found in the studies. And the research learnt that pain often returned when celery seed extract was discontinued. So if it does work for you, you may need to take it for a long time, perhaps a lifetime.

How much and in what form? Four to eight fresh celery stalks daily. They are fresher if they are not limp. The 3nB is in the stalks, not the leaves. Celery goes well with cheddar cheese, which is a low purine food that doesn’t add much uric acid -- all foods contain purines to some extent. Juices made from four to eight stalks will also give you the 3nB. Celery can be put in stews which are a good gout meal since they increase your daily water intake as providing the stew’s constituents are low or medium purine level foods -- note that clam chowder is high purine.

Dietary supplements Purchase celery seed extract standardized to contain 85% 3nB. Tablets or capsules. Twice daily for a total of 150-300mg daily. These are especially useful if you’re bored eating celery every day, and when you travel. The extracts may work better than the stalks.

Caution! Celery should not be taken if you’re pregnant or lactating. And if you have kidney disease. If you’re eating lots of celery or taking celery dietary supplements don’t spend too much time under the sun.

Natural Cures for Diabetes – Safe way to Control Diabetes

We believe there are natural cures for diabetes. Diabetes is a disease in which the pancreas does not produce the needed amount of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that naturally turns sugars into energy in your body. Without the production of insulin, your body is not able to turn sugars into the energy that your body needs and these sugars stay in your blood, which makes your kidneys have to work harder than normal. The sugars are then washed from your body in your urine. One of the most common symptoms of diabetes is frequent urination. Over time, if left untreated, diabetes can put you at a higher risk for disease such as heart disease and stroke. It is important for you to learn to control your diabetes. Many diabetes natural cures can be added to a healthy diet and can help you to control the symptoms of diabetes. Although, many people feel the diabetes has been cured, the changes in your diet must be followed throughout your life in order to prevent the onset of diabetes symptoms.

Healthy Diet in Diabetes The most important diabetes natural cure is a change in lifestyle. You should begin eating a healthy diet as early in life as possible. This can help you to prevent many illnesses and diseases that are caused by poor diet. Diabetes is one of these diseases. The most important aspect of your healthy diet is learning to eat a variety of foods and eating the correct portions. It is also important to eat your meals on a regular schedule – rather than 1-2 large meals per day, eat 4 small meals. This helps you to better control your portion sizes and helps your body to produce the needed energy. Here are some ways diet can help you prevent or decrease the symptoms of diabetes:

  • Whole-grain – eating whole-grain foods such as wheat breads, wheat rice, and wheat pasta help you to decrease the amount of carbohydrates in your diet. (Carbohydrates turn to sugar in your body.)
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables – any healthy diet should include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids – eating foods such as cold-water fish that are high in Omega-3 fatty acids helps to provide your body with “good” fats.
  • Carbohydrates – carbohydrates are needed to help your body produce energy. But if your body is not producing insulin correctly, you will need to decrease the amounts of carbohydrates in your diet.
  • Sweets – desserts with a high content of sugar should be limited or eliminated from your diet. You can get natural sugars by eating fresh fruits.
  • Alcohol – alcohol consumption should be decreased or avoided.


Diabetes Natural Cures Many physicians will prescribe medications to help you control the symptoms of diabetes. Before you begin a treatment with medication, you should discuss with your physician the side effects of the medication, as well as any interactions with other drugs or food. For those who do not wish to risk the side effects of medication, there are some popular diabetes natural cures:

  • Ginseng – has been shown to help control blood sugar levels
  • Chromium – helps the body’s cells properly respond to insulin
  • Magnesium – can help regulate blood sugar levels. Magnesium can be found naturally in foods such as green leafy vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Low magnesium levels can worsen the symptoms of diabetes.
  • Cinnamon – can help to control blood glucose levels.
  • Zinc – helps in the production and storage of insulin. Zinc can be found naturally in foods such as oysters, ginger root, pecans, egg yolk, beef liver, sardines, almonds, and chicken.
  • Bitter melon – helps to increase the number of beta cells, the cells that produce insulin.
  • Indian Kino – this herb helps to regenerate beta cells
  • Gymnema Sylvestre – helps the pancreas to produce insulin and help insulin to lower blood sugar levels
  • Indian Gooseberry – helps to stimulate the pancreas causing the pancreas to produce more insulin


These are some of the many diabetes natural cures that have been shown to be effective in preventing and controlling the symptoms of diabetes. The most effective cure or treatment of diabetes is eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.