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Natural Remedies for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Many
people with Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis are looking toward
unconventional ways to ease their symptoms and achieve greater
well-being. The more widely used biologically-base products for IBD are:
- nutritional supplements, such as vitamins, minerals, and herbal formulas;
- prebiotics and probiotics;
- proteins and fatty acids;
- animal-derived extracts; and
- functional
foods, defined as biologically active components of certain foods that
carry potential benefits beyond their basic nutritive value.
Probiotics have entered the mainstream of medical treatment for patients with pouchitis--inflammation of the "neo-rectum"
created during proctocolectomy, a commonly performed surgical procedure
used for people with severe ulcerative colitis--and for prevention of
antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
Philip B. Miner, Jr., M.D., President and Medical Director of the Oklahoma Foundation for Digestive Research,
supports the selective use of herbal supplements, functional foods, and
other biologically-based approaches in a spirit of open, non-
judgmental inquiry.
Dr.
Miner has tracked hundreds of CAM studies, and his observations are
both interesting and surprising. In a presentation he has offered to
patients and medical colleagues around the country he focuses on seven
biologically-based remedies that have been obsserved as helpful in
Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis:
- Capsaicin
- The Lemonade Diet
- Garlic
- Peppermint oil
- Aloe Vera
- Evening primrose oil
- Fish oils
Benefits of Oregano and Sage
Traditional
Mediterranean herbs such as Oregano and Sage help battle insulin
resistance, a blunting of the body's ability to balance blood sugar
that can raise risks of heart disease and stroke, by 64% and 28%,
respectively.
In a USDA experiment, researchers found that oregano and sage doubled insulin activity, while turmeric and cloves tripled it.
Cinnamon
proved to be very effective as well. In a subsequent study, diabetics
who ate one gram of cinnamon (less than half a teaspoon) per day for 40
days lowered their fasting blood sugar by 18% and their LDL by 7%.
Does Muscle Turn to Fat if You Stop Working Out?
No. Muscle and fat are completely different tissues, so it's impossible for one to transform into the other.
When you exercise (especially if you strength train), muscle tissue gets bigger and fat tissue gets smaller.
Abandon
your workouts, and the opposite will happen: Your muscles shrink, and
the space once occupied by toned, firm muscle can get filled in with
flab, If you cut down on the number of calories you eat the scale may
indicate you haven't gained weight but your body will still go from
firm to flabby as the muscle tissue gets smaller and fat creeps in to
keep your body weight stable.
Muscle
can start to shrivel after just one month of inactivity, so keep yours
solid with at least two days of strength training every week.
Did You Know ???
- There's a high cost to being overweight. Want to save money this year? .. focus on your waistline. New research shows that obesity costs the nation an extra $123 billion each year. Here's why:
- Additional amount spent per year on gas by obese Americans because they burn at least 9 more gallons of fuel per year. $36
- Annual wages lost to obesity- linked ailments by each obese person. $932
- Amount that obese people pay for extra seats on airplanes every year $828
- Additional money spent on clothes each year by obese people $485
- The American Heart Association has identified several risk factors for heart disease:
- High cholesterol or high blood pressure
- A family history of the disease
YOUR RISK IS LOW IF...
none of the above apply to you. Keep up the healthy habits!
YOU ARE AT-RISK IF...
one or more of the above applies to you.Talk to your doctor about the best lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk.
YOUR RISK IS HIGH IF...
you've
had a heart attack, stroke, or heart surgery; or if you have diabetes.
Get regular checkups, and call your doctor immediately if you
experience chest jaw, or back pain, or shortness of breath. | |
| In this Issue: |
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New Cookbook - Huge Savings
Natural Remedies for IBD
Benefits of Oregano and Sage
Does Muscle Turn to Fat if You Stop Working Out?
Did you know? |
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