Some herbs for blood purification!!!!

Here are some of excellent herbs for blood purification and general body detoxification.

*Guduchi is a considered a bitter tonic. It is regarded as a blood purifier and stimulant.

*Manjistha is considered one of the best blood purifying herbs in Ayurveda. It is said to cool and detoxify the blood, dissolve obstructions in blood flow, and clear stagnant blood from the system.

*Neem and Tulsi are also known for their blood purifying properties.

*Dandelion Root is an excellent blood purifier that neutralizes acids and has a strong alkalinizing effect on the body.

*Echinacea is recognized as one of the most powerful blood and lymphatic cleansers in the botanical kingdom.

*Chlorophyll ,found abundantly in wheatgrass,neutralizes acids and toxins in the blood and helps eliminate them from the body.

*Garlic is an excellent blood cleanser, lowers blood fats and is a natural antibiotic.

*Red Clover is also a potent blood cleanser,especially useful during convalescence and healing.

*Burdock Root,besides being a good skin and blood cleanser also posseses diuretic and diaphoretic, hepato-protective, antibacterial and antifungal properties.

*Goldenseal is also an excellent blood, liver, kidney, and skin purifier.

Another vital constituent to combat Diabetes

Are you aware of a nutrient that is significant when it comes to blood sugar control. It is essential for diabetics to avoid to many foods that disrupt blood sugar levels and keep the blood sugar level under control.However, in addition to eating a low Glycemic Index diet, it is also important to supplement with certain nutrients that help the body keep blood sugar levels in check. The supplement known to participate in the body processes that control blood sugar levels is Biotin (one of the B-group vitamins) In several studies, Biotin supplementation has been shown to enhance the performance of insulin, the hormone that plays a critical role in helping your body incorporate blood sugar. The supplements can also increase the activity of an enzyme,glucokinase, which the liver uses early in the process of utilizing blood sugar,thus keeping a check on our blood sugar level.

All you wanted to know about Vitamins!!!

Vitamins are a group of substances essential for normal cell function, growth and development. Vitamins are grouped into two categories:
Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body's fatty tissue.
Water-soluble vitamins must be used by the body right away. Any left over water-soluble vitamins leave the body through the urine. Vitamin B12 is the only water-soluble vitamin that can be stored in the liver for many years.

There are 13 essential vitamins. That means they are needed for the body to function. They are:
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Vitamin B3 (niacin)
Pantothenic acid
Biotin
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B12
Folate (folic acid)
Functions:-
Each vitamin has specific functions. You can develop health problems (deficiency disease) if you do not get enough of a particular vitamin.
VitaminA helps in the formation and maintenance of healthy teeth, bones, soft tissue, mucous membranes, and skin.
Vitamin B6 is also known as pyridoxine. The more protein a person eats, the more vitamin B6 is needed to help the body use the protein. Vitamin B6 helps form red blood cells and maintain brain function, among other things.
Vitamin B12 like the other B vitamins, is important for metabolism. It also helps form red blood cells and maintain the central nervous system.
Vitamin C also called ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant that promotes healthy teeth and gums. It helps the body absorb iron and maintain healthy tissue. It also promotes wound healing.
Vitamin D is also known as the "sunshine vitamin," since it is made by the body after being in the sun. Ten to 15 minutes of sunshine three times per week is enough to produce the body's requirement of vitamin D. This vitamin promotes the body's absorption of calcium, which is essential for the normal development and maintenance of healthy teeth and bones. It also helps maintain proper blood levels of calcium and is phosphorus.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant also known as tocopherol. It plays a role in the formation of red blood cells and helps the body use vitamin K.
Vitamin K is not listed among the essential vitamins, but without it blood would not stick together (coagulate). Some studies suggest that it helps promote strong bones in the elderly.
Biotin is essential for the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates, and in the production of hormones and cholesterol.
Niacin a B vitamin that helps maintain healthy skin and nerves. It is also has cholesterol-lowering effects.
Folate works with vitamin B12 to help form red blood cells. It is necessary for the production of DNA, which controls tissue growth and cell function. Any woman who is pregnant should be sure to get enough folate. Low levels of folate are linked to birth defects. Many foods are now fortified with folic acid.
Pantothenic acid is essential for the metabolism of food. It is also plays a role in the production of hormones and cholesterol.
Riboflavin (B2) works with the other B vitamins. It is important for body growth and the production of red blood cells.
Thiamine (B1) helps the body cells change carbohydrates into energy. It is also essential for heart function and healthy nerve cells.

Something a Diabetic should know about-Dawn Phenomenon!!

In diabetics,blood sugar levels are usually very high when they first wake up in the morning-this is known as dawn phenomenon.So Should you skip breakfast to bring your bloodsugar down?The answer in short is Absolutely NOT.First the reason that your blood sugar levels are so high first thing in the morning is because as morning approaches your body starts releasing energizing hormones to gear you up for the day. These antagonize the action of insulin and stimulate the liver to produce more glucose,even if the glucose level in the blood is already abnormally high.Will eating make it rise even higher? The answer is probably yes, but because breakfast is the most important meal of the day for weightloss and nutritional benefits we must find alternative measures to fight against this phenomenon known as the dawn phenomenon.
Here are a few tips you can try:
1. If you are currently taking any anti-diabetic pills, you can try taking one more tablet before you go to bed.
2.Start checking you blood sugar levels earlier in the morning,at around 6:30-7:003.Try eating a little less food in the evening or maybe even try a little exercise before you go to bed.
3.If you are currently taking insulin you may need an early morning dose with food to keep your rising blood sugar levels under control.Remember if you are currently taking insulin, you need to make sure that you or your doctor monitors your changes - at least until you have your eating, exercise and stress management on the right path.

Diabetes and Heart!!!

The cardiovascular system is one of the most important systems in the human body. It is comprised of the heart, blood and blood vessels. Blood is being pumped out from the heart and is the one responsible in delivering oxygen and other nutrients to all the parts of the body. It also cleans up our body by picking up the waste products on its way back to the heart so our body can get rid of them.
So what has diabetes got to do with the cardiovascular system? Since blood is part of the cardiovascular system, and diabetes is a condition in which the level of glucose in the blood is higher than normal, hence Diabetes and cardiovascular system diseases are closely related to each other.Some examples of the commonly diagnosed cardiovascular disease are coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and other heart conditions.
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Risk Factors
Diabetes is now considered as a major risk factor in cardiovascular diseases. Other factors that contribute to the possibility of acquiring cardiovascular diseases in diabetic patients include hypertension, smoking and hyperlipidemia.
- Hypertension. Hypertension in diabetes is considered a major contributor to the increase in mortality from cardiovascular diseases. Diabetic patients, especially those with Type 2, need to always have their blood pressure checked every visit to the doctor. Self-monitoring at home is also a must to maintain and control the rise of blood pressure. The American Diabetes Association recommends a target blood pressure of not more than 130/85 mm Hg to maintain a good level of blood pressure.
- Hyperglycemia. Intensive glycemic control may prove to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, although not directly. This can be more beneficial in controlling micro vascular complications, but still, assessing all risk factors and properly managing them is a big step in preventing occurrence of any cardiovascular diseases.
- Smoking. Smoking has been determined dangerous to our health. Studies show that smoking indeed increase risk of premature death and cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients.
Prevention
As the old saying goes, “prevention is better than cure.” There are many ways on how to prevent the increased possibility of cardiovascular events in diabetic patients. Several alterations or modifications to the risk factors can be done to still maintain healthy despite of diabetes.
The simplest step one can start with is to stop smoking. Diabetic or not, cessation of smoking will really prove beneficial to one’s overall health condition. Maintaining blood pressure to less than 130/85 or 130/80 mm Hg helps control the occurrence of hypertension. Having a body mass index (BMI) of less than 27 is also a must for diabetic patients to control their overall condition.
Some tests are also recommended to monitor and keep maintain key factors at a healthy level. These tests include annual urine test, retinal dilation examination, dental examinations, and biannual foot examination for sensation testing and measurement of pulses. Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases need proper attention and care. Regular visits to your health practitioner are recommended as they are the right people who know all about your condition. They keep all the records of their patients’ health history and can track improvements or otherwise. Proper medications and advice are also given by these professionals.
Diabetes is indeed a life-long condition that demands a lot of attention. There may be no hard and real cure for this disease, but it sure can be maintained and controlled by proper care and having thorough knowledge and understanding about the condition.

Can Cataract be prevented???

Researchers have just completed a study proving that people whose diets had lots of lutein, zeaxanthin and Vitamin E had a much lower chance of developing cataracts.
A cataract is the name used when the lens inside your eyeball becomes clouded and yellowed, which reduces vision and requires surgical correction. It has been long believed that cataracts were unavoidable.
The researchers found that high intake of the two carotenoids Lutein & Zeaxanthin reduced the risk of cataracts by 18 percent, while vitamin E was associated with a 14 percent reduction!
The study adds to growing results supporting the role of lutein and zeaxanthin for eye health, with the majority supporting their role against age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness for people over the age of 55.
Dietary sources of Lutein and Zeaxanthin: Lutein and zeaxanthin is abundant in a number of yellow/orange fruits and vegetables such as mango, papaya, peaches, prunes, acorn squash, winter squash, and oranges. Egg yolks are the richest source and also contain a large amount of zeaxanthin.

Home remedies for dark under eye circles

*Drink at least ten glasses of water everyday.
* Eight hours of sleep is a must for all of us, especially for people having dark circles under their eyes.
* Close your eyes and cover your eyelids with slices of raw potato or cucumber for 15-20 minutes.
*Grate a cucumber, squeeze to take out its juice and refrigerate. Make a mixture of lemon juice and cucumber juice and apply around the eye for 10-15 minutes.
*Apply a paste of turmeric powder with pineapple juice for dark circles under the eyes.
*Apply crushed mint around the eye
*Apply almond oil under eyes.

Tips for looking beautiful!!!!!

Key to looking beautiful is to stay in right shape and have a flawless,glowing skin.Below mentioned are few tips for staying in optimum shape and sporting a radiant,flawless skin.
For maintaining that perfect figure:
-Exercise daily for atleast 20-30 minutes.Also practice Yoga and Pranayama daily.
-Cut down on junk calories that you consume daily.Choose diet, rich in fiber, low in fat and refined carbohydrates,avoid fried foods and sweets,Consume plenty of fresh green vegetables, fruits & sprouts.Avoid aerated drinks & alcohol,instead drink limewater, vegetable juice, clear soups, and buttermilk.Instead of having three big meals throughout the day, have five smaller meals throughout the course of the day,with the breakfast being the heaviest.
For flawless,glowing skin:
-Drink 7-8 glasses of water a day to help flush through any toxins in the body and hydrate the skin.
-Once in a while indulge in a nice relaxing aroma massage or facial.Cleanse, tone and moisturize your skin twice a day and avoid using soaps, which are too harsh for the skin and can be very drying.Apply facemask once a week depending on your skin type. You should also exfoliate once- twice a week to remove dead skin cells.
-Wash your hair regularly with a shampoo that suits the hair type to keep it clean and bouncy.
-schedule in a weekly manicure and pedicure
-Increase intake of oily fish, nuts & seeds ,which are rich sources of Omega fatty acids,to provide you with a glowing skin.

Tips for healthy eyesight!!!!

*DIET: Vitamin A is the most essential vitamin required for the nourishment of the eyes. a diet rich in vegetables such as green leafy vegetables, drumstick, carrot, beetroot, and fresh friuts including mango and papaya provide the adequate amount of vitamin A.
One should always include these things to enhance the eyesight.

*LIGHTING: The light source and the amount of light needed and provided by the light source should be taken care of since it can have direct effect on the eyes.

Light source should be positioned behind the objects posture of reading. for ex. if one is reading a book then the light should be focused behind him. direct glare should be always avoided.

Reading material should be placed 12-14 inches away from the object.

*VISUAL DISPLAY UNITS: these include TVs and computers. these are know as the main hazards nowadays which cause many eye related problems even leading to partial or complete loss of vision. prolong exposure to these units can cause headaches, burning and watering of eyes, blurring of vision, double vision etc.

People working for hours together on computers should take extra care as to protect their eyes. use of anti-glare glasses with UV protection should be used. one should take 5 mins break after every half an hour work, this reduces the strains on the eyes.

Watching TV in a dark room should be avoided. a well-lit room with a tubelight is the ideal place for watching TV.

Distance of viewing is also important and it should be maintained as 4 metres or more from the television set.

Placement of the computer screen should also be monitored. it should be either at the eye level or slightly lower. this will reduce the direct reflection of the screen.

The recommended distance between the monitor and the eye should be around 18-28 inches. this shouldbe always maintained for both young and old.

*ALLERGIES: eyes are the common site for most of the allergies due to presence of the open galnds which become passage for the bacteria to spread. therefore it is very important to maintain the hygiene of the eye by washing the frequently with plain cold water.

As soon as mild signs of allergy is seen it should be treated immediately to prevent the further spread.

No eye drops should be put in the eyes without proper consultation from an opthalmologists.

*UV LIGHT: overexposure to sunlight is harmful and can cause damage to the eyes. while out in the sun one should always wear sun glasses with UV reflection. this will protect the eyes from harmful UV rays.

Cool packs or cucumber slices should be placed over the eyes to reduce the starin caused by sunlight. these provide cooling effects.

*SLEEP: adequate and sound sleep is very much important for healthy eyes. disturbed sleep can cause dark circles around the eyes. also improper sleep can cause swelling of the undereyes giving them a puffy look.

A sleep of atleast 8 hours is required to maintain a healthy eyesight.

*RELAXATION PROCESS: meditation or relaxation of the whole body also has a very good impact on ones eyesight. just closing your eyes for few minutes and focussing at a particular object (ex.inbetween the eyebrows) can relax both the body and the mind, and once these are relaxed it directly shows good results in the other sense organs including the eyes.

Incase of any complaints related to eyes occur it should be immediately reported to the doctor so that early medication is done and loss of vision is prevented.