Treat Chronic Inflammation with Vitamin C & D

Inflammation is thought to be the underlying cause of diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, lupus, myocarditis, asthma, kidney failure, Alzheimer?s disease, autoimmune disease, and more. Studying how our bodies become inflamed and how vitamins and supplements fight inflammation can help us to combat and prevent many chronic conditions.

Vitamin D

Food additives are to blame for a lot of inflammatory responses in the body. Emulsifiers, thickeners, flavor enhancing chemicals, hydrogenated oils, and surface finishing agents, are structurally almost identical to the compounds that stimulate the inflammatory response in our immune systems. Hormones in meat and dairy also trigger inflammation and cause further problems with reproduction and thyroid function. Inflammation puts our bodies on high alert, making it sensitive and more likely to overreact to viruses, allergens, infection, sensory stimulus, and toxins. This produces a cascade effect of problems that lead to illness, disease, behavioral, and even psychological problems. Inflammation causes your body to quickly use up its vitamin and mineral stores. Vitamin C and vitamin D in particular are quickly flushed from the body, leaving you fatigued and with a lowered immunity. Having vitamin deficiencies can also cause inflammation. Treating inflammation with vitamins and supplements can help you to replenish your vitamin stores and greatly reduce your risk of developing a barrage of diseases and health conditions. Recent studies show that low levels of vitamin D can actually cause widespread inflammation. Additionally, inflammation hinders the body?s ability to produce and use vitamin D, even when exposed to sunlight. Although vitamin D deficiency is a rising problem all over the world, Americans are especially at risk because of our carbohydrate, food additive, and vegetable oil consumption. These things trigger inflammatory responses that cause our bodies to pack fat around our organs to protect them from damage. Fat traps any vitamin D that you have so that it can?t be used, compounding the problem. Your doctor can easily test your blood serum levels of vitamin D to see if you need to buy vitamins in the amounts appropriate to bring your levels up to normal. When we eat things like hydrogenated oils and food additives, our bodies convert them into a dangerous oxidized lipid, which causes inflammation. Inflammatory diseases are accelerated by oxidized lipids and free radicals. Heart disease and stroke are thought to be caused by these lipids that make white blood cells stick to artery walls. Luckily, healthy bodies can handle most of these lipids. But, some are always left. They bind to DNA and other cellular structures causing deformities that can lead to cancer. Vitamin C is essential for clearing out these excess oxidized lipids. Without enough vitamin C, we leave ourselves open to a dangerously high level of risk. Vitamin C is not only a powerful antioxidant, but it also strengthens the immune system, calms overactive immune responses, protects cells from oxidized particles and free radicals, and aids in most of the body?s physiological functions. It clears out toxins, chemicals and other unwanted pollutants helping to reduce inflammation on many levels. It strengthens and builds endothelium cells, which are the cells that line the entire circulatory system and are responsible for regulating blood pressure, inflammation, and blood clotting. Combating inflammation with vitamins and supplements, diet, and exercise can help you to live a long and healthy life, free of chronic diseases. Talk with your doctor if you plan to buy vitamins. Medications, deficiencies, health history, and possible medical conditions can help your doctor determine what dosage of vitamins and supplements will most benefit you.

Multi-Vitamins Facts & Health Benefits

Many people should be taking a multivitamin whole and every day to ensure overall health and to make stronger the immune system against viruses, colds, and many other common ailments.

multi Vitamin

Taking a balanced and complete diet that is high in vegetables, whole grains and fruits minimizes the need for a multivitamin and they contain most of the nutrients you need. It is proven in many studies that vitamins may help prevent certain manydiseases including osteoporosis, heart disease and maybe even certain cancers. If you are on a calorie restricted diet, a multivitamin is a perfect supplement since cutting calories also cuts the amount of minerals and vitamins you take in. If you just think that you have a good diet but still need to take a multivitamin, you can take one every next day. You will save money and still get the advantages. Taking everyday multivitamin will give you the vitamins your diet lacks. If you decide on taking a multivitamin, do not substitute your intake of vegetables and fruits with a pill thinking you will get the same benefits of your health. Vitamins are very helpful for overall body and may useful for several types of treatments. Today mostly people are falling way short of these nutritional goals due to poor eating habits, hectic lifestyles, and junk food and weight loss diets. Who really might not eat right every single day, and you are one of those people so a multivitamin should be included in your diet can help you get the essential minerals and vitamins your body needs.

Diet and Vitamins for Healthy Hair

Beautiful, shinning hair is a valuable asset. Hair can also be a versatile fashion accessory, to be colored, curled, dressed up, or smoothed down – all in a matter of minutes. However, too much attention, combined with the effects of a poor diet, pollution, air-conditioning and central heating, can mean that your hair becomes the bane of your life rather than your crowning glory.

Multi Vitamin

A daily hair care routine and prompt treatment when problems arise are therefore of vital importance in maintaining the natural beauty of healthy hair. Hair can be fine, medium-textured or coarse. Fine hair always tends to lack volume, while medium hair is often quite easy to handle, strong and elastic. Coarse hair brings its own problems. Hair is abundant, but can be heavy, frizzy and difficult to control. You may find that you have fine hair in your hairline and on your temples, while the rest of your hair is medium or coarse.

Diet for Healthy Hair

If dry, limp hair is weighing you down, then this diet is for you. Did you know that what you eat is reflected in the health of your hair? All of the hair-revitalizing shampoos in the world won’t help if you aren’t nourishing your body. Here’s how the Healthy Hair Diet can help:

? Just like your body, your hair needs a balanced, nutritious diet to stay healthy. That’s why this food plan contains a rainbow of fruits and vegetables that are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants, whole grains for minerals, nuts and seeds for minerals and vitamins, and lean protein for iron. A fortified breakfast cereal will help your body get all of the other good stuff it needs.

? Water not only hydrates your body, but helps keep your hair silky and shiny. This diet includes eight to 10 glasses of water and juices a day for maximum hydration.

? The fiber from fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes is good for your body and your hair. This meal plan features lots of fiber-containing food as an option at each meal.

? See how your breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks can keep your hair — and your body ? healthy.

Vitamins for Healthy Hair

Vitamin A – Antioxidant that helps produce healthy sebum in the scalp. Food sources: Fish liver oil, meat, milk, cheese, eggs, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, apricots and peaches. Daily Dose: 5,000 IU. Warnings: More than 25,000 IU daily is toxic and can cause hair loss and other serious health problems.

Vitamin C – Antioxidant that helps maintain skin & hair health. Food sources: Citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, cantaloupe, pineapple, tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes and dark green vegetables. Daily Dose: 60 mg.

Vitamin E – Antioxidant that enhances scalp circulation. Food sources: Cold-pressed vegetable oils, wheat germ oil, soybeans, raw seeds and nuts, dried beans, and leafy green vegetables. Daily dose: Up to 400 IU. Warnings: Can raise blood pressure and reduce blood clotting. People taking high blood pressure medication or anticoagulants should check with their doctors before taking Vitamin E supplements.

Biotin – Helps produce keratin, may prevent graying and hair loss. Food sources: Brewer’s yeast, whole grains, egg yolks, liver, rice and milk. Daily dose: 150-300 mcg.

Vitamin B6 – Prevents hair loss, helps create melanin, which gives hair its color. Food sources: Brewer’s yeast, liver, whole grain cereals, vegetables, organ meats and egg yolk. Daily dose: 1. 6 mg. Warnings: High doses can cause numbness in hands and feet.

Vitamin B12 – Prevents hair loss. Food sources: Chicken, fish, eggs and milk. Daily dose: 2 mg.

8 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Mom

Mommy moments come in all forms: days at the park, backyard barbeques, or meetings at the pool. They are a great time to get to know other mothers and share activities as well as compare notes on child-raising. But as the number of women who live with chronic illness continues to grow, so does the inability to participate in many of these important spontaneous fun mommy moments.

Women Health

According to the National Fibromyalgia Association, fibromyalgia (FM) experts estimate that about 10 million Americans and approximately 5% of the population worldwide suffer with FM, one of the fastest growing auto-immune diseases in the USA. Another study confirms that one in three people in the United States have a chronic condition. I recently attended an adoptive mom’s playgroup and within this niche group, three out of the six of us had chronic illnesses, and all of us were under forty years old. Being aware of a friend’s limitations and challenges, acknowledging them, and just asking a few questions, can make a huge impact in their ability to participate and feel comfortable with you and other moms.

[1]. Ask what time of the day is good for play-dates or activities. This can vary from season to season (weather affects it a great deal); and also from one illness to another. For some moms, mornings are good and afternoons are exhausting; for others it’s the other way around.

[2] Be flexible and don’t make her feel guilty if she must cancel your plans. Having a chronic illness means each day is unpredictable. Last week I took one step and my knee was locked up for four days. I winced in pain as I did heat and medication therapy while my husband worked at home. All my plans were cancelled and I had no advance notice. There may be times that she is still able to participate, but the plans may need to be adapted.

[3] Ask polite questions such as “how far are you comfortable walking today?” or “what is your greatest challenge?” and try to accommodate. Remember a two-block walk to the park may seem like miles for her. Stairs may be difficult if not impossible, so take the elevator with her. When she walks keep a pace with her and realize she may have to take rest stops even while walking small distances. Standing for more than a few minutes may be challenging. What looks like a short line for the carousel may be impossible for her to withstand. Offer to stand in line and let her jump in later.

[4] Avoid telling her about the cures you’ve heard for her illness, the juice products you may sell that could help her, or about your mother’s cousin’s sister who has the same illness but still manages to raise five children and work full-time. Don’t comment that the diet she is on is harmful, that the medications are just a bunch of poison or say, “don’t you realize those doctors are just out to make money off of you?” She’s heard it all and if you can be her safe haven from that it will result in a deeper friendship.

[5] Be aware of simple things that may be difficult for her. For example, if you go to the beach, ask her if she would like to be dropped off while you find a parking spot; she may not be able to sit on the ground so bring a few lawn chairs so she isn’t the only one two feet above the rest of your friends. She will likely be limited in her sun-exposure. She may not be able to carry as many picnic items as you can from the car. While you don’t want to make her feel helpless, nor does she want you to make a big deal out of it, just be aware that she may need some extra considerations.

[6] Don’t assume that she can take care of your children, even for five minutes, unless she volunteers. Child-caring is exhausting and caring for her own may be zapping her of the little strength she has left. If your kids are prone to run out into the street, realize that she may not physically be able to chase them. Instead, offer to run around with her kids for a few minutes and ask her to snap some photos.

[7] Plan activities that she can participate in. While you may love your stroller exercise groups and mommy-and-me gym classes, these may not be options for her. Ask her what kinds of things she likes to do and then join her. For example, volunteer to bring an art project to her house that the kids can do outside or just go the movies. Keep the activities under three hours; while you may spend six hours at the zoo, affirm that you completely understand she needs to get home. Don’t say, “a little more exercise may do you some good!”

[8] Lastly, tell her what every mom longs to hear: “I don’t know how you do it. I really admire your perseverance and strength. ” Your encouragement may make the difference in her entire outlook on her abilities and doubts as an effective mom. And remember, Proverbs 11:25 says, “. . . he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. ” Women with chronic illnesses don’t have times for all the social circles they once did, but they desperately long to connect with others who try to understand their daily challenges. Through her illness she has likely gained deep insight and wisdom; her friendship may grow into one that blesses you for years.

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