Boost Metabolism with Milk

Drinking milk is good for increasing metabolism to lose weight. It helps by building lean muscle and has nutrients that can repair tiny muscle tears. It also replenishes electrolytes so that you feel refreshed. Milk is a good source of calcium, which is good at building strong healthy bones. It is best to drink low-fat or fat-free milk.

Naturally Improve Your Vision

Lutein is a natural plant pigment and antioxidant that is good at improving eyesight. It is found in green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, peas, broccoli, egg yolks, and corn. Lutein is good at protecting and strengthening the eyes. It accumulates in the macular region of the retina in the eye and acts like internal sunglasses since it filters out the sun's ultraviolet rays. The antioxidant property of it helps to maintain cells and tissues for good health. A study done by the North Chicago VA Medical Center found that patients with age-related macular degeneration improved their vision significantly after taking 12mg of lutein each day for a year.

Naturally Lower Blood Pressure with Potassium

Potassium is a mineral that is found in clams, poultry, and in almost every fruit and vegetable. It is found abundantly in potatoes, dried peaches, avocados, and bananas. It is good at lowering and controlling blood pressure. There are potassium supplements that can be used, but it is better to obtain potassium through foods. Too much potassium can be harmful for older people, because kidneys are less effective at removing potassium from the blood as a person ages. It is best to consult a healthcare professional before taking an over-the-counter potassium supplement.

Treat Urinary Incontinence with Weight Loss

Urinary incontinence is the unintentional release of urine and it affects more than 13 million women in the United States. Obesity is a common risk factor for urinary incontinence. A research study done by the University of Alabama-Birmingham found that overweight women who lost just 3 pounds cut the amount of leaks due to urinary incontinence by 28 percent. Women who lost 17 pounds cut the amount of leakage by 47 percent.

Fight Dementia with Coffee

A Swedish study has found that when middle-aged adults drank 3 to 5 cups of caffeinated coffee each day, they were 65 to 70% less likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer's disease later in life when compared to people who drank 2 or less cups each day. Coffee offers protection against the diseases by containing magnesium, antioxidants, and caffeine. It is also assumed that coffee decreases the risk of type 2 diabetes, which can contribute to dementia.

Reduce Salt to Cut Heart Disease

It is found that reducing salt in your diet can dramatically reduce the risk of heart disease. Just reducing salt intake by 1 gram everyday would cause 25,000 less cases of heart disease and 200,000 less deaths in the United States in a decade. A study showed that when people lowered their sodium intake by 25% to 30%, they had a 25% reduction in heart disease and stroke risk 10 years later when compared to people who ate their usual diet. It is recommended to eat less than 2,300mg of salt per day and it is recommended that middle-aged and older adults and people with high blood pressure have less than 1,500mg of salt each day in their diet.

A New Better Botox

This a new product called Dysport that is suppose to be better than Botox. It has been FDA approved to treat facial lines and cervical dystonia. It temporarily restricts the muscle actions that cause creasing and frown lines. It suppose to be better than Botox because it lasts approximately 4 months instead of 3 days and works faster. Dysport is made from the same active ingredient as Botox, called Clostridium botulinim toxin type A. It is also similar to Botox in that it is injected into the skin at the site of forehead wrinkles. There are side effects, such as nose and throat irritation, headache, pain and skin reaction at the injection site, upper respiratory tract infection, eyelid swelling and drooping, sinus inflammation, and nausea.

Prevent Cavities with Apples

The popular saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" may be true or at least they can keep cavities away. Apples increase the flow of saliva, which washes away sugars from food and reduces bacteria buildup. Saliva is good at decreasing mouth acidity and washing away food particles.

Natural Ways to Treat Allergies

There are many natural ways to reduce and prevent allergy symptoms without the use of medications. There are vitamins, herbs, foods, drinks, and easy common things that you can do at home so that you don't have to suffer from allergies.

There are several vitamins, minerals, and herbal remedies that are good at relieving allergy symptoms and strengthening the immune system. Vitamin B5, vitamin A, and Omega-3 Fatty Acids can help to relieve allergy symptoms, such as congestion, coughs, and runny nose. Quercetin is a plant compound that can be found in foods, such as onions, apples, and citrus fruits, that can prevent the secretion of histamine. Histamine is a chemical that the body produces during an allergic reaction that causes sneezing and other symptoms. Butterbur is a herb that is good at relieving hay fever symptoms. Licorice root, astragalus, and capsicum are also good at curing allergy symptoms.

There are foods and drinks that can be used to easy allergy symptoms. Spicy foods, such as hot ginger, cayenne pepper, onion, and garlic, can help to reduce mucous secretion, which can help to clear nasal passages. Honey can be used to help allergies. Taking 1 or 2 teaspoons of locally grown natural honey before the allergy season starts helps the body to get used to pollen before the allergy season is full blown and helps the immune system. Teas such as green tea and Mint Medley herbal tea work well to ease congestion.

There are easy things that can done at home that can help allergies. Cleaning carpets, bedsheets, floors, and curtains at least once a week reduces pollen and allergy in your home. Dust mites are another cause of allergies that are commonly found in bedding, carpets, and pet dander. It is good to wash bedding in hot water and dry them in a hot dryer to kill dust mites. It is also a good idea to enclose mattresses, box springs, and pillows in airtight zipped plastic or special allergy proof plastic. Using an air conditioner can help to clean, recirculate, and dehumidify the air.

Giving pets a regular bath can help to reduce allergies. Washing your hair regularly can help to reduce allergies because hair can hold a lot of pollen when you go outside. Wearing sunglasses when you go outside can reduce the amount of pollen entering the eyes. Nasal Rinses are very effective at removing the pollen stuck in the nasal passages. Doing a nasal rise will drain out some bacteria and mucous and help to reduce allergies.

Prevent Colds and Flu with Astragalus

Astragalus is a plant that is native to Asia and is considered to be one of the most important herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine. The root of the plant is commonly used medicinally and it can be used to treat illness, such as colds, flu, night sweats, diarrhea, upper respiratory infections, chronic hepatitis, diabetes, and heart disease. It helps to prevent and treat colds and flu by increasing the production of immune cells and having mild antiviral and antibacterial properties. It can treat heart disease by relieving symptoms, lowering blood pressure, and improving heart function. It can help to treat chronic hepatitis by protecting the liver and it can be used ans an adjunctive therapy when it comes to cancer.

Astragalus also contains antioxidants, which can protect cells against damage caused by free radicals. It can be found in supplement form at some health food stores and may take 6 to 8 weeks to work best.

Health Benefits of Strawberries

Strawberries are a fruit that is commonly eaten and has a lot of health benefits. It is rich in the antioxidants called anthocyanin and ellagitannin. Anthocyanins help to reduce inflammation, protect cell structures in the body, and prevent oxygen damage to the body's organ systems. Ellagitannins are effective at fighting cancer cells, especially colon and cervical cancer. Strawberries can be used to clean and whiten teeth and to freshen breath. The peak season for ripeness is between April and July.

Strawberries are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, folic acid, potassium, riboflavin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, copper, magnesium, folate, and omega-3 fatty acids. Strawberries have more vitamin C in them per serving than oranges. Vitamin C is important because it helps the brain to function properly and helps the body to rebuild blood vessels, tendons, ligaments, and bones. It also helps to keep blood pressure low. One serving of strawberries has 210 mg of potassium, which is a mineral that helps to regulate the electrolytes in the body and lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. Strawberries are also high in folate, which are important when it comes to the manufacturing of red blood cells.

How to Relieve Mosquito Bites

Mosquito and other insect bites can be itchy and very annoying but there are simple methods that can be used to relieve the itching. Good ways to relieve an itchy mosquito bite include rubbing a wet bar of soap over the area or placing an ice cube or very cold water over the area. Taking a cold shower can help by reducing the swelling of the welts that can be caused by mosquito bites and it helps to reduce swelling by the constricting the capillaries near the surface of the skin and causing fewer antigens and antibodies to cause a reaction. You can also use common household items to relieve the itch, such as nail polish, toothpaste, mouthwash, vinegar, honey, underarm deodorant, rubbing alcohol, ammonia, bleach, or a hot tea bag placed on the area.

Canker Sores

Canker sores are small shallow ulcers in the mouth that can be caused due to issues, such as stress, tissue injury, a virus, irritation to spicy foods, or biting the inside of the mouth. There are foods, such as citrus and acidic fruits and vegetables, that can cause canker sores. To prevent canker sores it is recommended to brush your teeth regularly to keep the mouth free from irritants, avoid foods that cause irritation in the mouth, especially acidic and spicy foods, and avoid irritation from chewing gum. Hard and crunchy food can also cause canker sores.

The sores usually go away without any treatment but there are over the counter products that can provide temporary relief and healing. If the sores are unusually large, are spreading, last longer than three weeks, won't go away, cause high fevers, or the pain doesn't allow you to drink enough fluids, then it is recommended to visit a doctor as soon as possible. A doctor will be able to prescribe a medication that can help.

Fight Heartburn with Chewing Gum

It is found that chewing sugarless gum can help to relieve heartburn. Heartburn happens when acidic digestive fluids travel from the stomach to the esophagus making your chest feel like it's on fire. Gum works by lowering the acidity in the throat and stimulating the production of saliva. Saliva is alkaline, so it helps to neutralize the acid in the esophagus. Also when you swallow saliva, it helps to wash and cleanse the esophagus of everything, including acid.

The Health Benefits of Chamomile

Chamomile is a daisy-like plant that is originally found in Europe, North Africa, and the Mediterranean region. It has a long history of being used as a medicinal herb and as a tea. Its dried flowers are commonly used in herbal tea.

Chamomile has many health benefits associated with it. It can be used to reduce blood sugar and lower the levels of compounds that can cause diabetic complications. It has been found to be able to boost the immune system and fight illnesses. It can help intestinal discomfort with its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to reduce gas. Its foliage and flower heads have been used as antispasmodics to reduce muscle spams and diaphoretics to help produce perspiration. It can also be used to relax the nerves, ease menstrual cramps, and help stomach ulcers. Chamomile creams can be used to help pain and reduce irritability on the skin, such as burns, wounds, eczema, chickenpox, and diaper rash. The longer and more regularly chamomile is used, the better it works.

The Facts of Swine Flu

Swine flu is an influenza virus that usually only affects pigs but the virus mixed genes with another influenza virus to create a new type of virus that is also able to infect humans. The current swine flu virus is so different from other viruses that humans have been exposed to in the past that there is very little to none natural immunity to it. The body would have a hard time defending itself against the virus and there are no vaccines for the virus yet. The antiviral medicines Tamiflu and Relenza could help if the medicine is given within two days after symptoms begin. Health authorities are recommending the medicines mainly for people that have more severe symptoms. Most people who have caught the virus have recovered from it.

Common symptoms of the disease include fever, muscle pains, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, chills, headaches, weakness, and diarrhea. If you are having symptoms it is recommended to isolate yourself from everyone else and stay home to prevent spreading the disease. Get medical help immediately if the symptoms become severe.

The virus can be transmitted form person to person by sneezing, coughing, and physical contact, such as shaking hands, kissing, or any kind of touching. You can try to prevent contracting the disease and spreading it by washing your hands or using alcohol based cleansers frequently throughout the day, not shaking hands or having any physical contact with someone, and avoiding contact with people who have symptoms of the flu. Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes as much as possible. You cannot get the disease by eating pork.

Exercise Back Pain Away

Back pain can be a serious problem that is commonly caused by issues, such as injury, sitting too long, overuse of back muscles, muscle strain, and bad posture. Regular exercise can help with stiffness and weakened back muscles and reduce the occurrences and severity of future back pains. It can also help a person to recover faster from an injury, prevent reinjuries in the back, and reduce the chances of disability from back pain. When exercise is done in a controlled, gradual, and progressive way, it can distribute nutrients into the disc space and soften the tissues in the back to keep the discs, muscles, ligaments, and joints healthy.

There are certain exercises that can be done to strengthen back muscles. Strength-training is good at working the upper and lower body muscles. Lifting weights at least 3 times per week is a good way to reduce back pain. Stretching exercises are good at lengthening back muscles, increasing mobility of the joints of the spine, and relieving back pain. Doing cardiovascular and aerobic exercises, such as walking, bike riding, swimming, and jogging, a few times a week for 30 minutes each session are also a good way to strengthen muscles. Having strong abdominal muscles is just as important as having strong back muscles when it comes to supporting the lower back and preventing lower back pain.

The Facts of Therapeutic Substitution

There currently are pharmacies that are practicing therapeutic substitution when it comes to filling prescription medications. Therapeutic substitution happens when a drug that is considered to be therapeutically equivalent to a second drug, even though it might not be chemically equivalent to the prescribed drug, is given to the person filling the prescription without their permission or acknowledgment. That means that a pharmacy can change your prescribed medication to a different one without asking for your permission or letting you know beforehand. It can happen due to costs to the insurer, changes in insurance coverage, new drugs on the market that can treat the same condition, a medication is no longer covered by the insurance company, when your doctor wants you to switch to a drug that might be more effective, and when another drug is available at a lower cost. Pharmacies can also do a substitution if the drug you are prescribed is not on the pre-approved list that insurance will cover.

There are negative sides to therapeutic substitution because the new drug might not work as well or might differently that the one originally prescribed. It could have side effects that you are not aware of or might have a negative interaction with other prescriptions that you make take. The new drug might have a dosing schedule that could be inconvenient for you.

It is recommended to check the label of your medication after it is filled to make sure that it is the one that was originally prescribed. If you have questions or feel unsure about something, don't feel afraid to talk to your pharmacist.

The Benefits of Canola Oil

Canola oil is one of the healthiest cooking oils that is sold. It is genetically engineered and processes from the rapeseed plant, which is considered part of the mustard plant family. Canola oil is not harmful health-wise. It has a neutral taste and is low in saturated fats. Saturated fats are not good for you because they raise the total blood cholesterol level, including LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol).

How to Stop Onions From Making You Cry

There are simple ways that you can stop from tearing up when you are around onions. The tearing up mechanism happens because when you cut into an onion, its cells rupture and releases enzymes that produce a gas called propanethial sulfoxide. When the gas reaches your eyes, it reacts with tears to produce a mild sulfuric acid. The brain signals the eyes' tear glands to produce more liquid to flush it out. The more that onions are chopped, the more your eyes tear up.

It is a good idea to chill an onion in the freezer before cutting it because cold temperatures can slow down the release of enzymes. You can also pour a tablespoon of vinegar onto the cutting board. The acid in the vinegar stops the chemical reaction of the sulfur in the onion and causes a reduction in tears. It is another good idea to put an onion under water before chopping it. The water would absorb the onion's gas.