Home Remedies For Bloating, Easy And Simple Natural Cure

Bloating is the swelling of the abdominal area due to gas or excessive liquid. There are many home remedies for bloating which are easy and simple to follow.

Swelling of the abdominal area due to gas or excessive liquid is known as bloating. The tightened abdomen can cause discomfort and can make it really difficult to either sit down or walk around. Crohn’s disease and gastrointestinal tract affliction can also cause bloating. It can also cause sharp pain in the stomach. Some common symptoms of bloating are; fatigue, darkened stool, chest pain, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, indigestion, vomiting, breathing problem and difficulty in burping and swallowing. 

Bloating Home Remedies

There are several home remedies for bloating which can be very effective if followed properly. Some of the common home remedies for bloating are:

1. One of the most effective home remedies for bloating is the consumption of ginger tea. Consuming ginger tea soothes bloating by leaving a warming effect on the digestive system. This warming effect results into digestive enzyme production which enhances and improves food digestion.

2. Consuming a mixture of grounded cinnamon, honey and water on regular basis is also very helpful in relieving the discomfort caused by bloating.

3. Bay leaves are also very helpful in causing relief from bloating. Just boil a cup of water and then add bay leaf to this water. Wait for five minutes and drink the entire cup in one setting. Remember not to lie down for at least one hour after consuming this mixture. Staying in upright position will help the gas to come out quicker.

4. Chamomile tea is considered to be one of the efficient home remedies for bloating. All you need to do is consume chamomile tea twice daily. One in the morning and one just before going to bed.

5. Peppermint tea is also one of the effective home remedies for bloating. It relaxes your body muscles and allows your body to release digestive gas. Just boil a cup of water with some dried peppermint leaves (one teaspoon) in it. Let it boil for ten minutes and then strain this tea. Drink this tea for four to five times daily. This tea is more effective if you consume it before meals.

6. Turmeric is also very effective in treating bloating. It is rich in nutrients and vitamins such as protein, folic acid, iron, vitamin C and calcium. These vitamins and nutrients help to improve the functioning of the digestive system.

7. Fennel tea is known to have digestive properties and is very effective in giving relief from bloating.

8. Drink plenty of water and eat fruits and green leafy vegetables. Buttermilk is also very helpful in fighting bloating.

9. Avoid eating troublesome foods such as celery, beans, milk products, apricots and Brussels sprout. Do not drink carbonated beverages.

10. Avoid tobacco products and smoking.

11. Carom seeds are known to have thymol which acts as an antibacterial and is very effective in curing problems of digestive system. Therefore consuming carom seeds mixed in water with some black salt can be very helpful in treating bloating.

12. Cardamom is also one of the effective home remedies for bloating. It stabilizes the acids of your stomach and is very helpful in treating bloating.

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Are Chili Peppers The Latest Super Food?

Peppers are one of the most common food types used by many different cultures around the world. From Italian pasta, to Indian curries chili peppers are used throughout the world. Many have speculated that their heavy use in countries such as India has contributed towards the health and long life expectancies of the nation.

The fruit from chilli plants come from the Capsicum family of vegetables which is divided into two categories; sweet bell peppers and spicy chili peppers such as the habanero or scotch bonnet. The difference between bell peppers and chili peppers arises from the presence of the chemical that gives chillies their heat - capsaicin.

Chili peppers are an excellent source of vitamin C. Sweet peppers contain as much as two times of vitamin C as oranges. Though not a much as sweet peppers it is surprising to know that chili peppers also pack a heavy punch when it comes to vitamin c. In addition chillies provide a number f other benefits such as:

1. Effective treatment for inflammation such as arthritis

2. Reduce risk of heart attack by reducing cholesterol, by helping to help keep arteries unblocked

3. Clear blocked noses and sinuses

4. Prevent prostate cancer by inhibiting growth of cancerous cells · Prevent stomach ulcers by killing bacteria in the stomach and stimulate more protective stomach juices.

5. Help to lose weight as it speeds up the body's metabolism rate, suppresses appetite and cravings for sweet foods.

6. Lower risk of Type 2 diabetes by controlling the blood sugar.

Saying that hot peppers are a super food may be a bit of a strong statement. I think it is wrong to call any food a super food. However by incorporating chilli peppers into a healthy diet you may benefit from some of these effects. Just remember that as with all so called super foods the best advice is to eat them along with a healthy low fat varied diet, combined with regular exercise.

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Most Natural Weight Loss Diet - Plum

The plum is known to be a versatile fruit. When eaten alone it tastes great, or cooked to make syrupy sauces for healthy desserts, or cut up in yogurt or cereals. This makes your diet even more interesting and will keep it far from getting boring. 

Plums are known to be good for weight loss diet not only because of their taste or low fat content but also because they provide proper nutrition. Take for instant dried plums, they are packed with vitamins, minerals like Magnesium, Vitamin A, Potassium, Fiberto and Iron to help us stay healthy and energized. It also assists in improving our blood circulation by preventing platelet clotting.

Intake of food that contains excess fat, sugar and cholesterol, combining this with the lack of exercise are the main causes of platelet clothing. Thus leading to several hearth diseases like High Blood Pressure, Coromary Artery Disease (Heart Attack), Artherosclerosis, Stroke.

Preventing constipation and clearing your body of unwanted toxins can be the answer to that permanent weight loss. 

Plums contain a lot of nutrition such as Critic Acid that helps reduce and prevent tiredness and muscle cramps. It helps in regenerating our body of all unwanted substances and improving gastrointestinal and liver functions, thus preventing constipation. Hence, it cannot be proven in amore better way that one should eat Plums to lead a more healthy life.

Research proves that by eating the right quantity of plums in our daily diet, will lead to a significant increase in the dietary fiber. It will help in the prevention of bone loss associated with estrogen loss during menopause and prevent the total increase of non- HDL blood cholesterol levels. 

One of the most well known weight loss diet plum is the Japanese product Kenko Diet Plum. This is one of the most weight loss diet products that motivating a lot of the Asian woman to buy. The product is easy to buy and very user friendly.

Though, this diet will prove to be very effective. It still will not work if you continue to eat fatty, oily or unhealthy food. The diet will not work if you are not keeping a check on your daily intake of food. Also, it does not mean that you should starve yourself and just eat fruits this will only result in you putting on more weight. So, when choosing your diet, keep it simple and easy, one that will make you wants to follow it rigorously.  

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8 Useful Herbs With Amazing Therapeutic Properties

Herbs cure the root cause of the disease and improve the body immunity system. Read this article to find commonly available herbs having wondrous therapeutic power.

The healing power of the herbs was not considered to be effective enough by the medical personnel in treating various diseases even few decades back. But the advanced scientific researches duly supported by statistics have come out with amazing results regarding the healing power of the herbs. Herbs cure the root cause of the disease, improves the body immunity system involving lesser cost and almost without any side effects. From the commonly used kitchen-garden herbs to the rare species; every herb is singular in their healing properties.

Few are the names of the commonly available herbs having wondrous therapeutic power.

1. Basil, the commonly available herb generally used for culinary purpose improves appetite and reduces fatigue. This herb from the mint family acts as carminative aiding in digestion. It is also used as an aphrodisiac and treating depression.

2. Cinnamon widely used as spice, is used in treating a number of diseases starting from indigestion to diabetes. Regular intake of cinnamon powder reduces blood sugar level to a great extent. It is also helpful in treating Candida yeast infection.

3. Clove is another common herb used as spice in various dishes. Clove oil is beneficial in treating bacterial and fungal infections, a good pain killer in reducing toothache and treating other gum diseases.

4. Garlic is one of the most inexpensive herbs must be used liberally either in dishes or eaten raw. It helps in reducing blood cholesterol and high blood pressure as it helps as blood thinner. It is also used in treating various viral and fungal infections.

5. Neem is the native of India and its oil is rich in Vitamin E and has essential fatty acids. So it is used to treat a various number of skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis, scabies, acne, ordinary scars and athletes foot.

Neem leaves

6. Tea tree oil is used in a number of antibacterial treatments. Treating Candida yeast infections, herpes, abscess and boils tea tree oil finds extensive use. Moreover it helps in boosting the immunity system of the body.

7. Cedar wood oil is used for treating skin problems and reducing respiratory complaints. It reduces itching and treats severe skin diseases like psoriasis and eczema.

8. Aloe Vera is rich in vitamins, minerals, enzymes and essential acids. Apart from skin tonic it helps in digestion, treats chronic ulcers and good for kidney, gall bladder.

There are numerous such herbs with their unique healing properties. Those under medication of chronic diseases must be cautious enough while taking the herbal concoctions or supplements as these may interfere with some drugs. In that case it is advisable to consult an expert before starting herbal therapy.

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Dietary Fats - The Good, The Bad And The Ugly For Skin Health

Good fats, bad fats....how do we know the difference? For skin health good fats are essential. Find out which good fats you have in your diet.

Fats have a bad name and we are told to avoid fats in our everyday diets. However, some fats are very important for our general well-being including healthy, radiant skin. Nutrition has moved away from the “all fats are bad” stance to “it’s the type of fat that matters, not the quantity”. Fats are an essential part of our diet but it is important to focus on the good fats in our diets and minimise the bad fats.

Beneficial fats “good” fats support healthy skin cell nutrition and the production of collagen as well as maintaining healthy blood flow to the skin. Fats help to absorb nutrients such as vitamin A and E which maintain skin integrity and fluidity. Good fats also help to moderate inflammation, a factor curtail to the management of many skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis.

Sources of good fats in our everyday diet include olive oil, sesame oil, nuts and seeds, avocado, deep sea fish such as mackerel, salmon, tuna, anchovies and sardines.

Saturated fats are found in animal products such as butter, cheese, whole milk and meats. High levels of saturated fats will contribute to inflammation which may contribute to a worsening of inflammatory skin conditions such as those listed above. While labelled a contributing factor to cardiovascular disease, eaten in moderation saturated fats are an acceptable part of a modern diet.

With saturated fats it is quantity that counts here and less than 10% of daily intake is considered acceptable. Combined with a diet high in antioxidants from fruit and vegetables, saturated fats don’t pose as great a risk as Trans fats.

Trans fats are created when a vegetable oil is changed from a liquid (as found naturally) to a solid. This is where we come to the “ugly” category. Trans fats have been linked to high cholesterol and heart disease. Trans fats also promote inflammation and will worsen any skin condition. They are found in margarines, deep fried foods and processed foods. To avoid trans fats it is important to read the labels of all packaged and processed foods.

The right kind of fats support our health and well-being, the wrong kinds of fats have numerous affects from promoting inflammation to cardiovascular disease. For skin health concentrating on good fats, minimising saturated fats and cutting out Trans fats is the key.

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Natural Supplements - What Are The Benefits?

Everybody needs nutrition to live. Nutrition is the source of energy for our bodies. We can derive nutrition from the food we eat, the fluids we drink, supplements and our surrounding environment.

Nutritional supplements are supplements that can be used to increase the amount of nutrients in your daily diet. They provide nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins and minerals either as a separate specific product like antioxidants, amino acids and fatty acids or as a combination of multiple nutrients like multivitamin tablets. Natural supplements contain natural products like bee pollen, royal jelly, fish oil and many different herbs. 

Although we derive nutrition from the food we eat every day the amount and quality of nutrition depends on the kind of food we eat and our life style. Someone who follows a well balanced diet, drinks plenty of fluids, takes nutritional supplements and indulges in physical activity regularly absorbs nutrition from his food faster and leads a healthy and energetic life. Since the sources of nutrition vary it is not always feasible to consume them on a regular basis. Therefore its beneficial to take natural supplements on a daily basis to ensure you body can fulfill its nutritional needs. 

These supplements contain natural and healthy ingredients that aid the functioning of the body and help it absorb nutrition better and function to the best of its ability. The components usually include essential vitamins like vitamin A, Vitamin D, fatty acids like DHA and EPA and minerals like zinc and calcium. These are natural substances and usually found in vegetables, fruits and animal products. They don’t put a load on our system and contrary to popular belief enhance the body’s functioning. There are vital for our body as our body needs nutrients to function properly and we might not be getting all of it solely through our diet. 

One the most popular supplement is cod liver oil. This supplement has numerous benefits like improved vision, better bone strength, strong digestive system and a healthy cardiovascular system. These supplements can be taken on daily basis and have little or no side effects due to their natural and pure components. 

Regular consumption of Nutritional supplements can be beneficial for all age groups. Infants, children and adolescents need it as their body is growing and requires all the nutrition it can get. Pregnant women need it to keep their body healthy and provide their unborn child with the nutrition filled environment. The elderly require it to maintain healthy joints and bones and slow down the ageing process. 

Athletes need it to increase their power and stamina. People with demanding schedules and little time to prepare healthy meals can opt for it as a good alternative. People born with naturals deficiency can take it to restore balance. 

Lastly people with allergies can consume these supplements so as to ensure they get the nutrients present in the food items they cannot consume and people with dietary constraints can take those that contain nutrients from animal products. Nutritional supplements are available for all age groups and cater to the various nutritional needs of the people.

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Vitamins To Aid In Weight Loss

Weight loss is a sensitive issue especially in this ‘beauty-glorified’ world we live in today. However, people often associate weight loss with exercise or with loss weight pills, but do you know that vitamins can help you loss those extra kilos too?

When you think about weight loss, you will tend to consider only about an exercise program to burn your fats away or the tasteless and raw foods that you plan to eat. You might also have considered buying the diet drug that you saw at the pharmacy. However, did it ever come across your mind that vitamins might help in weight loss?

Our body requires vitamins and it can be easily obtained from the foods we eat or dietary supplements. Vitamins are very important and there is absolutely no way a person can sustain his life without the presence of necessary vitamins.

Believe it or not, there are vitamins that aids in weight loss. They are mainly vitamin B2, B3, B5, B6, vitamin B complex and vitamin C. These B vitamins help to convert carbs into glucose, after which they are burned to produce energy for the body. With this in mind, you are encouraged to consume foods, which consist of these highly beneficial vitamins. Each of these vitamins has different functions.

Just to name a few:

Vitamin B2 or also known as Riboflavin is highly required for increased metabolism. You are encouraged to consume more hard cheese, milk and almonds for a healthy intake of Vitamin B2. Next is the B3 vitamin. This vitamin is necessary for normal thyroid hormone production. Leafy green vegetables and eggs are a good source of this vitamin. You can also choose to include wheat bran, meat and salmon. Vitamin B5 is necessary for the production of energy. Good sources of B5 include liver, poultry, nuts and whole grain bread.

It is best that you consult the doctor or your dietitian if you are unsure as to what to include in you meal to ensure sufficient intake of these weight loss vitamins.

Other than natural vitamins that can be found in the food we eat, you can choose to have an extra dose of vitamin through the needles. Vitamin B12 injections are a usual sight at weight loss clinics. The B12 works by boosting your metabolism. As such, this would cause you to digest food faster and burn more calories just by sitting there! With more calories burnt, you will store lesser calories as fat.

At the same time, B12 is energy giving and hence it gives you an energy boost. Most people do not exercise because they are just plain tired after a long day at work. So, with the extra energy, you will feel more energetic and you can afford to exercise more! 

You can also choose to take vitamin pills, but remember, vitamin pills are not energy pills! They do not carry any energetic value so remember not to substitute the necessary intake of carbs, fats or carbohydrates with just vitamin pills!

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Whole Foods – Whole Nutrition

Most people have heard of the term whole foods.  One definition of whole foods is food that was either minimally processed or unprocessed, so that none of the nutritional characteristics have been changed.  In other words, whole foods are unaltered and as close to original as possible.  These whole foods have many nutritional benefits.

We are only just beginning to understand the complex makeup of the foods we eat.  Many of the micronutrients found in whole food may actually be found to work in conjunction with each other.  A food that is in its unaltered form may have just the right balance of nutrition for your body.  This is one of the reasons processed foods are often devoid of any real nutritional value.  Processing foods with heat, chemicals, or acids causes the vital nutrients to become denatured.  Denaturing means to permanently alter a property and make it almost useless in terms of nutrition.

In many modern industrialized countries, we are very well fed.  By this I mean, we have plenty to eat.  You might be surprised to learn that many of these well fed people are actually undernourished.  The nourishment that should be coming from our food just isn’t.  The food most of us eat has lost almost all of its original nutritional properties.  Many times manufacturers add vitamins and minerals, and put “fortified” on the label.  This is to recreate the nutrition in the foods after they remove or ruin all of it through processing.  Fortification is absolutely not comparable to the real nutrition the food originally had.

One way to get healthy whole foods into your body is by creating smoothies in your blender.  A powerful, heavy duty blender, like the Vitamix, can create a delicious smoothie out of whole foods in no time.  This smoothie can be made to have all the nutrition you should be getting in your diet.  Drinking your nutrition like this is easier on the digestive system, since it requires very little digesting.  It is also faster and easier to drink a smoothie than to actually eat all those vegetables and fruits.

Juicing vegetables and fruits is another great way to get the nutritional boost your body needs.  Some would argue, however, that because the juice is separated from the pulp that it isn’t truly a whole food anymore.  This may be true, but the juice is still full of great nutrition even without the fibrous pulp.  Juice can be another easy and fast way to drink your nutrition.

Overall, consuming whole foods will give you the best nutrition.  Remember that any process from the time the food was grown, to when you consume it, may cause it to no longer be considered whole.  Even products that say “whole grains” are also full of many other properties that are not whole.  When you see whole grains on the label, realize that this may be a marketing ploy to get you to think it is healthy.  The food may contain whole grains, but in what amount?  Think about this processing the next time you choose your foods.  True whole foods won’t come in a package, except for the one Mother Nature gave it.

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Popular Supplements For Weight Control

Are you trying to lose weight and are thinking of taking weight control supplements? Read on for a short discussion on the popular supplements for weight control before buying anything so you can make an informed choice.

What are weight control supplements?

Many experts say that popular supplements for weight control do not only help you physically, but also motivate you psychologically. If not used correctly, though, these supplements may not yield the results you want. Also, some of the supplements may overlap one another, so you will need good grasp of their differences in order to develop a good combination of weight control supplements.

Below is a list of the most popular supplements for weight control and how they can be classified according to their effects:

1. Supplements for appetite suppression

A lot of dietary supplements for weight management normally targets the user's appetite since it is one of the primary determinants of how much food (and therefore calories, etc) he/she can consume. Popular examples include 5-HTP, bitter orange, cayenne. chitosan, Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), fiber, and blue green algae.

2. Supplements for body fat reduction

Excess body fat does not only give you unwanted bulges - it also makes the organs of your body, especially the heart, work harder in order to perform their functions. You have the choice of taking supplements to reduce body fat. Arginine, chromium, DHEA, HMB, and hydroxycitric acid (HCA) are just some of the popular supplements for weight control that reduced and keep body fat in check.

3. Supplements for calorie burning

Calories refer to the potential energy that can be taken from food. Decreasing your calorie intake or burning more calories than you usually do may help you lose weight. Popular supplements for weight control that help in burning calories include bitter orange and coleus.

4. Supplements for boosting metabolism

Metabolism is the body's ability to burn calories and convert them into energy that can be used or stored. Studies show that good metabolism decreases the production and storage of excess fat. Popular supplements for weight control that help increase energy and boost metabolism include pyruvate and St. John's wort.

IMPORTANT: Weight control is a very sensitive undertaking. Be sure to consult a doctor before taking any supplements. Also be sure to buy supplements only from pharmaceutical GMP-compliant manufacturers so you can be confident that the product you are purchasing really contains the ingredients that it claims to have.

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Herbs For High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is one of the most common health problems and is a major risk factor in cardiovascular disease. While there are various medications to lower blood pressure, many people prefer to take herbs for high blood pressure instead. This is because herbs are easily absorbed by the body and have little to no chemical content, reducing the risk of side effects.

Herbs for high blood pressure may be added to food or taken as tea, tincture, or supplement capsules. However, not all herbs for high blood pressure may be safe for everyone, and patients should seek medical advice before taking any. Here are some commonly used herbs for high blood pressure and tips on using them correctly.

Garlic

Though it is not the most effective herb, garlic lowers both blood pressure and cholesterol levels, making it an excellent guard against heart disease. Studies show that taking garlic over several weeks can lower blood pressure by 5% to 10%.

Ginseng

Siberian ginseng is an adaptogen - it helps the body adapt to physical, chemical, and biologica stress. It also increases blood oxygen without raising it to toxic levels, as some medications tend to do. Take three to 15 grams of ginseng powder or 10 to 50 drops of tincture daily. Note that Chinese ginseng is only half as effective as Siberian, and tends to promote hypertension.

Seaweeds

Extracts from seaweeds like kelp and laminaria contain histamine and other blood pressure reducing chemicals, and are used in certain hypertension drugs. A Japanese study shows that kelp extract can significantly lower blood pressure without any side effects.

Hawthorn

Hawthorn helps regulate heartbeat, remove water buildup around the heart, and stimulate the cardiovascular system. It is also an excellent heart tonic, making it ideal for those who suffer heart palpitations. Hawthorn can be taken as a tea using the dried leaves and flowers, or as a fluid extract or tincture.

Lemon balm

Also a mild heart tonic, lemon balm calms the nerves and improves blood flow. It can be taken as a tea or added to food.

IMPORTANT: Herbs for high blood pressure are not as strictly regulated as conventional drugs, so not all products may be safe. Some herbs for high blood pressure may contain additives such as silica, starch, sugar, or gluten, which can have adverse effects on your health. Buy only products that are GMP-compliant to avoid such products, and make sure they do not contain any artificial colors and flavors.

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Benefits Of Red Clover

Red clover, also known as trefoil, is a common flowering plant with a wide range of medicinal uses. Benefits of red clover include detoxification, cough and allergy treatment, blood flow, and relief of menopausal symptoms. Most of the benefits of red clover come from the flowers, which contain isoflavones - estrogen-like substances believed to fight cancer.

Red clover can simply be added to food or made into a tea or juice. It is also available as a health supplement in tablet, capsule, or tincture form. However, red clover may not be right for everyone and a doctor's prescription is recommended before taking this herb. Here are some of the benefits of red clover and some tips on using this supplement.

Prevention of heart disease

One of the primary benefits of red clover is cholesterol regulation. Red clover can raise levels of good cholesterol or high-density lipoproteins (HDL), which help fremove bad cholesterol or low-density lipoproteins (LDL) from the body. it also strengthens the artery walls and prevents plaque buildup. This effect is primarily seen in women after menopause, who are naturally at higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant

Red clover has anti-inflammatory properties that relieve irritation from psoriasis, eczema, and other severe skin conditions. This can also reduce hot flashes, an intense heat in the face and neck area commonly suffered by menopausal women.

Cough treatment

Red clover aids in the expulsion of mucous and has been used in traditional medicine as a cough expectorant. It works like a spring tonic, and is especially useful for whooping cough in children. It can also flush out urine and waste fluids to get rid of toxins and bacteria.

Some precautions

Red clover is an anti-coagulant, so people taking blood thinning medications should consult their doctors before taking this herb. The isoflavone content can interact negatively with hormone medications such as birth control pills. There may also be some side effects on pregnant and breastfeeding women.

IMPORTANT: Red clover is considered a dietary supplement, so it is less strictly regulated than conventional drugs. Because of this, some products may contain additives that hinder the benefits of red clover, or even be harmful to your health. To stay safe, buy only red clover supplements that are GMP-compliant and make sure they do not contain artificial colors and flavors. This shows that the product passes stringent quality standards and contains no harmful ingredients.

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