The problem is that often the HPV remains invisible which means that although the virus has altered the DNA structure of the affected skin cell, there is no visible sign on the skin itself and so no warts. As a result, people are unaware that they have HPV but they pass on the virus to others through skin-to-skin contact, sexual contact or intercourse.

The good news is that firstly, the majority of women who contact the HPV virus will have it naturally eliminated by their immune system and secondly, they can be safely tested for a possible HPV infection by a PAP test where the doctor takes cells from the cervix. A positive test can then result in the necessary treatment.

It is obviously very important to treat any visible warts anywhere on your body immediately for your health’s sake. It is also thought that this makes it less likely that you will pass on the HPV virus to others.

It has also been found that a nutrient – folic acid – destroys HPV when given to women with dysplasia (abnormal cells that are pre-cancerous). A prescribed mega-dose treatment comprising b-vitamin folic acid 20 milligrams (NOT micrograms) twice daily along with a nutritional program can be successful in leading to normal PAP smears. Some people have a genetic condition preventing the body from utilizing folate/folic acid and they need prescription treatment with either intramuscular or very high dose oral folinic acid. Methyl-folate is the natural form of folic acid.

According to Heidi Fagley, she writes in her article on HPV and folic acid that:

Folic acid has been found to reduce the severity of the infection and aid the cells in stopping viral replication. All women can support their own systems in preventing cervical dysplasia by simply adding adequate amounts of folate in the diet. If you choose to use a supplemental form of folic acid, please check with a holistic practitioner to find the dose that is safe for your specific situation. Foods rich in folic acid can help support the immune system. Some of nature’s most popular fruits and vegetables that are high in this B vitamin include oranges, cantaloupe, asparagus, avocados, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, brussels sprouts, papaya, cabbage, bananas, peaches, peanut butter, and nuts (soaking and sprouting nuts and seeds enhances digestibility and allows greater absorption of nutritional content).

The raw version of these foods contains higher amounts of folic acid. Cooking can destroy most of this beneficial vitamin, so consuming fruit and veggies in their raw form as much as possible will help increase the amount the body absorbs.

http://www.naturalnews.com/028711_folic_acid_HPV.html#ixzz1lsZPBmRe

You can also reduce your vulnerability to contracting HPV by living a healthy lifestyle and being aware that you put yourself at higher risk for getting HPV:

- When you start to be sexually active at a young age
- When you don’t know the status of your sexual partner or when you have multiple sexual partners
- When you abuse alcohol and nicotine
- When you suffer from other viruses such as HIV or herpes
- When you suffer from stress related illnesses
- When you have a weakened immune system
- When you don’t follow a healthy and nutritious diet

While the much publicized vaccines have recently come on the market, these are highly controversial with evidence of deaths and serious side effects in many young girls who have had the shots. Many experts will advise that you should never have a vaccine that has not been on the market and tested for at least 10 years. It is just too risky to your health and wellbeing. And once you or your daughter has had the vaccine and suffered side effects, there is no turning back the clock.

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Fortunately, lemons are easy to get hold of all year round, even if you do not have your own lemon tree. Lemons have so many health and other benefits that they should always be part of your diet and especially in the winter months. And don’t forget that it is not just the flesh and juice of the lemon – try to use the pith and the zest too.

1. Always start your day with a lemon as a glass of water with a slice of lemon will rehydrate your body after a long night’s sleep while supporting the kidneys and the digestive system. If you can drink more of the same during the day or add fresh lemon to your cup of black tea, even better. Then end your day with a glass of warm water with lemon before bed to help the body cleanse whilst you sleep.

 2. Use lemon to detox and cleanse that very hard working organ, the liver. Alcohol and sugar can really exact a heavy toll on the liver so give it a break by kicking the sugar habit, taking a rest from alcohol and including plenty of lemons (or grapefruit) in your diet to help to cleanse the liver while preventing toxins from spreading to other parts of the body.

3. The bitter taste of lemon helps the pumping motion in the bowels to spring into action for improved and regular bowel movements. So that lemon juice in warm water first thing has another benefit.

4. Of course everyone knows about lemon and vitamin C which together with flavonoids work to prevent infection. In addition, lemons contain citric acid, B-complex vitamins, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and fiber.

5. The vitamin C found in lemons helps to neutralize those free radicals that have been linked to aging and most types of disease. In addition, Vitamin C helps to boost the immune system while also assisting in the production of collagen which fights wrinkles by keeping the skin firm. This incredible vitamin helps the body absorb calcium and iron and has also been shown to reduce acne flare-ups.

6. Not only anti-infection, lemons have anti-viral properties too and can be very effective against all types of viruses including viral colds and flu.

7. Although lemons are acidic, strangely enough they interact with our body’s metabolism to have an alkalizing effect on the body’s fluids. This helps to restore the body’s PH.

8. A very important benefit is the presence of 22 anti-cancer compounds (including limonene which studies have shown slows or halts the growth of cancer tumors in animals while flavonol glycosides prevents cell division in cancer cells.

9. Rutin is found in lemons and its presence has been shown to improve the symptoms of eye disorders, including retinopathy in those who have diabetes. Another plus for diabetics is that lemons contain hesperetin which lowers blood sugar levels.

10. That citric acid found in lemon juice helps with kidney health by dissolving gallstones, calcium deposits and painful kidney stones.

So stock up a supply of lemons when you do your grocery shop every week and ensure a continuous supply of health benefits from this powerhouse of goodness.

There is already a similarity in that fibromyalgia and restless legs syndrome tend to keep sufferers awake at night, often  leading to serious sleep deprivation and insomnia.

Resless leg syndrome is a condition caused by a disorder in the central nervous system and the name really tells you exactly what it is. The disorder can worsen with age. The symptoms are unpleasant sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable urge to move while trying to rest. Some describe the sensations as if there are insects crawling inside the legs together with a burning, creeping or tugging feeling. These sensations can vary from just plain uncomfortable or irritating to really painful and distressing. The big problem is that the condition only arises when you go to lie down, rest and try to sleep. Sufferers have difficulty both falling asleep and staying asleep so that that they suffer from exhaustion and the quality of their lives can be severely affected.

Fibromyalgia or FMS can cause severe pain and tenderness in muscles, ligaments and tendons. Shoulder and neck pain is common but some people with fibromyalgia also have problems with digestion, sleeping (insomnia) and not surprisingly, suffer anxiety and depression. Others have cognitive problems, making it difficult to remember or pay attention. Additional symptoms can include irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ)and numbness or tingling in the hands or feet. Sufferers may be extra sensitive to odors, noises, bright lights and touch. Fibromyalgia is often linked with the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and chronic fatigue syndrome.

This link between fibromyalgia and RLS was discussed in a Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine study that followed 172 people suffering from fibromyalgia. 93% were female and the average age was fifty. They were compared with a control group of 63 people who had no symptoms of fibromyalgia and with an average age of 41. The researchers found that 33% of the fibromyalgia group also had RLS as compared to only 3.1 percent of the control group. Professor Nathaniel F. Watson of the University of Washington in Seattle commented: “Sleep disruption is common in fibromyalgia and often difficult to treat. It is apparent from our study that a substantial portion of sleep disruption in fibromyalgia is due to restless legs syndrome.”

Typically, the medical approach to treating both these conditions is with pharmaceutical drugs along with all too often harmful and toxic side effects. But there are more natural ways too.

If you suffer from RLS, you can help the condition by following these tips and, if your RLS is mild, these home treatment tips may well be sufficient.

During the day:

-  Reduce, or preferably cut out altogether, caffeine, alcohol and tobacco use.
-  Take iron supplements if you have low iron levels – but be sure to get tested first as too much iron in your system can be dangerous.
-  Try wrapping your legs in ace bandages or wear compression stockings to see if this helps.
-  Start an exercise program such as every half hour or hour at work, get up, stretch and walk around for 5 minutes. Do leg stretching exercises frequently.
-  Keep a sleep schedule so you have a record if you need to show your doctor.
-  If you have to go on a long car trip or long distance flight, make sure you exercise and stretch or just walk around as frequently as you can.

At bedtime:

-  Stretch your legs, do knee bends or rotate the ankles.
-  Massage your legs and use H-Restless Leg Syndrome from Healing Natural Oils for relief and treatment.
-  Relax with meditation, yoga or deep breathing.
-  Have a bath or soak your feet in hot water. Apply a hot water bottle or heating pad. Some people find comfort from a cold compression.
-  Try lying on your side with a pillow between your knees.

Natural remedies for fibromyalgia include:

-  Swimming or exercising in warm water for an hour or so three times a week  which can be very beneficial, helping to ease the pain and improve the quality of life. Any other low impact exercises will help keep muscles strong and flexible while also controlling weight and helping the person to remain active. Suggestions include walking, yoga, tai chi or pilates.

-  Colloidal silver has proven to be very effective in treating fribromyalgia. An initial daily dose of 2 to 4 oz can be reduced to 1 oz once the condition improves. Be wary of your source for this product – ensure it is reputable.

-  Anti-inflammatory spices in the diet such as turmeric, garlic, onions and ginger.

-  Supplements of calcium and magnesium which can help to relax tight muscles and calm nerves. Magnesium is a naturally occurring substance that calms nerve cells.

-  Organic apples and apple juice contain malic acid which will help relieve pain and generate cell energy.

-  Garlic, astralagus and echinacea are three important ways to strengthen the immune system while improving circulation.

-  Plenty of good sun exposure to increase vitamin D levels, or vitamin D3 supplements, can help reduce inflammation. Vitamin D deficiency is an important consideration in the management of fibromyalgia syndrome according to a recent study.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21894355

-  A deficiency in vitamin B12 is another possible contributing factor for this condition.

-  Increasing serotonin can lead to a reduction in pain signals. SAMe is a natural compound found in the body and is needed for optimum immune function while helping to maintain cell membranes. SAMe is also instrumental in the production and breakdown of neurotransmitters such as serotinin but also norepinephrine and dopamine. 5-HTP increases serotonin levels in the brain while reducing the number of tender areas in the body. Either of these compounds can be taken as supplements but not together or with anti-depressants.

- Taking Sugar D-ribose to improve energy production within cells.

- There are homeopathic substances to reduce muscle pain, including Rhus Tox (for stiffness and muscle ache that gets worse in cold weather), Cimicifuga racemosa (for muscle pain that feels like bruising (especially helpful when fibromyalgia affects the neck to mid-back) and Bryonia alba (for muscle and joint pain that is worse with motion).

These toxins include medications such as NSAIDS and statins, aspirin and Tylenol.

In addition, here are some other ways in which you can harm your kidneys:

-  Being obese

-  Through fluoride in your water supply

-  Using non stick cookware (Teflon)

-  Undergoing root canal treatment along with dental mercury amalgams

-  Exposure to toxic mold in the home and elsewhere

-  The use of pesticides and laundry detergents and other toxic cleaning matrials

-  Artificial sweeteners of all types

-  Consuming fructose, sodas and candies

Emotions can play a part with the health of our organs too, and the emotion often associated with problems with the kidney is fear so be mindful that if you are frequently fearful, you may well be affecting your kidneys and their function.

Kidney disease risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking and age. Early detection and treatment can increase the life of the kidneys.  Remember too that high blood pressure can lead to or be a sign of kidney disease.

Kidney disease is called a ‘silent disease’ as there are often few symptoms but here some of the signs and symptoms:

-  Change in frequency and quantity of urine passed, especially at night (usually increase at first)
-  Blood in the urine (haematuria)
-  Foaming urine
-  Puffiness around the eyes and ankles (oedema)
-  Pain in the back (under the lower ribs, where the kidneys are located)
-  Pain or burning when passing urine

Later on, when the kidneys begin to fail, there is a build-up of waste products and extra fluid in the blood as well as other problems, gradually leading to:

-  Tiredness, inability to concentrate
-  Generally feeling unwell
-  Loss of appetite
-  Nausea and vomiting
-  Shortness of breath

Reduction in kidney function cannot usually be reversed.  However, if detected early enough, the progress of kidney disease can be slowed and sometimes even prevented but if kidney function is reduced to less than 10 per cent of normal then renal dialysis or a kidney transplant becomes necessary.

Dialysis is a treatment for kidney failure that removes waste products and extra water from the blood by filtering it through a special membrane (fine filter).

But please do not let your kidneys deteriorate in the first place. Early detection of kidney disease can be life saving. Very importantly, lifestyle changes can keep your kidneys healthy.  Here are those 12 tips:

1.  Avoid contact with all the toxic and harmful items listed at the beginning of this article.

2.  Eat lots of  fresh fruit and vegetables (particularly the latter) together with grass fed beef and free range chicken and eggs.

3.  Stay away from sugars, sodas and artificial sweeteners, processed salty foods and the bad trans fats and change to natural salt and good fats such as butter from raw cream, olive oil and organic cocnut oil.  Stevia is a safe replacement for sugar.

4.  Try to drink only water instead of other drinks. This should be pure filtered water – at least 8 glasses per day.

5.  Maintain a healthy weight and of course this will be achieved through the other lifestyle changes that you make.

6.  Stay fit by at least 30 minutes of physical activity that increases your heart rate on five or more days of the week including walking, lawn mowing, bike riding, swimming or gentle aerobics.

7.  Don’t smoke and limit your alcohol to two small drinks per day if you are male or one small drink per day if you are female.

8.  Have your blood pressure checked regularly.  If you blood pressure levels are higher than they should be, lower them with natural remedies rather than statins which can actually lead to kidney damage.

9.  Do things that help you relax and reduce your stress levels.

10.  Spirulina (from a safe source) helps to protect your kidneys. As kidneys are one of the first organs to suffer damage after significant radiation exposure, Spirulina is used but research also suggests that spirulina helps protect from the nephrotoxicity of cancer treatments, antibiotics and analgesics.

11.  Please be aware that many people today are gluten intollerant and as such can suffer from gluten induced kidney damage. If you are not sure or are suspicious that you might be gluten intolerant, get genetically tested for gluten sensitivity.  If you have actually have kidney disease, make sure your doctor checks your 25 OH D levels (vitamin D).  Additionally, make sure that he measures for other nutritional deficiencies as well.   Malabsorption is a common cause of secondary diseases for those with intolerance or sensitivity to gluten.

12.  It cannot be overemphasized how important vitamin D is to your general health including the kidneys.  Vitamin D is not a vitamin at all but a steroid hormone that is probably the single most important factor in human health.  The optimum level for good health is to be between 40 ng/ml and 100 ng/ml and if you are not receiving sufficient sunlight exposure, the average adult needs to take a daily dose of 8000 IUs daily to elevate their levels above 40 ng/ml.

Remember that avoiding all toxins, taking regular exercise, along with a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water will help to keep your kidneys working well and in peak condition. 

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The number of asthma cases keeps on growing. Can you believe an increase of more than 300% over the last two decades? Asthma affects an estimated thirty million Americans including many children. This inflammatory condition, typically of the upper airways, results in symptoms of chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing. When the symptoms are especially severe, it can be extremely stressful for the sufferer.

Asthma can be treated with two types of pharmaceutical medications: long-term control and quick-relief medicines. Long-term control medicines help reduce airway inflammation and prevent asthma symptoms while quick-relief medicines relieve asthma symptoms that may flare up.

If you have asthma, you probably spend a lot of time using various inhalers and nebulizers. Often, these contain glucocorticoids (steroids) which can have major side effects when used long term. These side effects include: cataracts, osteoporosis, adrenal insufficiency, weight gain (with a possible dramatic increase in abdominal fat), Type 2 diabetes and behavioral changes such as extreme anger.

In addition, other inhalers contain drugs which dilate the bronchi allowing more air in but, at the same time in many users, these drugs cause very rapid heart rate, tremors and insomnia.

Of course these drugs can be life saving but it is important to look at other safer ways to improve asthma symptoms.

Triggers for asthma include allergies, certain drugs, pollution and severe stress.

Some sufferers are finding that their symptoms respond well to natural treatments for asthma. One natural alternative is inhaled glutathione an antioxidant which is usually deficient in those suffering from asthma. The body produces its own glutathione unless a poor diet, pollution, toxins, medications, stress, trauma, aging, infections and radiation have depleted your reserves, leaving you susceptible to unrestrained cell disintegration from oxidative stress, free radicals, infections and more.

Other ways to treat and even prevent the symptoms of asthma naturally are with these suggestions:

- By testing for gluten intolerance and/or other food allergies as it has been found that many with asthma also have a gluten or other sensitivity. In such cases, their immune systems are so busy fighting their food, that they don’t have left over immune resources to fight the environment.

- By increasing the intake of animal-based omega 3 fats and by reducing the intake of omega 6 fats – the ratio between these two fats is very important. If the balance is distorted it can lead to the type of inflammation that causes asthma.

- By getting regular exercise especially out in the fresh air. Research has shown that exercise in asthmatics leads to an improvement in maximum ventilation and maximal oxygen uptake; in work capacity; and in maximum heart rate.

- By testing your vitamin D levels. Most important of all is that if you get your levels to about 60 ng/ml or higher, there’s a strong likelihood you may not experience the symptoms of asthma any more. The vast majority of today’s population is vitamin D deficient – that is below 30 ng/ml – so that even the medical community is beginning to realize the importance of raising vitamin D levels to protect against a large number of diseases and health conditions including asthma. You can raise your levels by exposing as much skin as possible to sunlight during the 2 hours either side of noon (with no sun block) for as long as it takes for your skin to turn a light pink. The darker your skin, the longer you need.  Do this as often as you can. You may still need to supplement with vitamin D3 and the suggested optimal dose is 8000 IUs per day until you reach above 60 ng/ml. You will then need to maintain that level.

There is a nostalgic trend for people to trace their family trees by going back several generations or as far as they are able. If there is not a lot of actual evidence in the family archives, many will use such web sites as myheritage.com to help them on their way. However, there is another important aspect to tracing your family history that you might not have thought of.

That is your family’s medical history because this could hold vital information about your own health and that of your children.

Many common conditions are passed down through families but there may also be less well known conditions that are genetic in nature that would be helpful to know about. The more common ones include heart disease, cancer, diabetes, mental illness, osteoporosis, birth defects and even memory loss.

Your first port of call when putting together such information is to chat to your parents and your grandparents as well as any uncles and aunts and get them to rack their brains for what they can recollect. Write it all down. It will form the basis of your family’s medical history. Once you have exhausted that source, then there other ways and means to find out more.

It is very important when collecting your family medical history to obtain accurate, complete records. A three generation set of records and information is the ideal goal to aim for. It is rather a tall order but you should set out information in the following format for each family member:

-  First and last names (including all married and maiden names for women where appropriate).

-  The current age, or age at death.

-  Exactly how people are related to each other, noting if any brothers and sisters have different parents or if anyone was adopted.

-  In the case of twins, you need to know if they are or were identical or fraternal.

-  Note if any family member married a blood relative eg. first cousins.

-  The country your ancestors came from eg. Jewish ancestors could be Ashkenazi Jews (from eastern Europe) or Sephardic Jews (from Spain or certain middle eastern countries). This information can be important because of the prevalence of some genetic conditions in certain ethnic groups.

-  Note the cause of death and if an autopsy was performed plus any history of miscarriages or babies who are deceased.

-  Include any illnesses, birth defects, or mental retardation in family members. A bonus would be the names of hospitals or medical centers where treatment took place plus the age at which illnesses occurred or any surgery was performed and why.

-  Also include any particular lifestyle habits that might be relevant such as a history of tobacco use, alcohol or drug use, obesity or an occupation that might be hazardous.

Aim to be as accurate as you can when compiling a family medical history as this can be a valuable tool for both your family members and your healthcare providers.

In addition, forewarned is forearmed. If you do your own research about a family condition and know what you might be up against, in many instances you can adjust your diet and more as a preventative measure.

You can add to your family medical history by applying for medical records and/or death certificates for different members. Death certificates are particularly useful as they usually contain all the relevant information about cause, place and age and may even give the name of the hospital that treated the deceased. Death certificates may or may not include information about other medical conditions that did not contribute to the cause of death. They can be obtained from the records office in the state where the family member died. A small fee is usually charged for a copy of a death certificate.

In the case of your own medical records, you can apply for these from the appropriate facility but if you wish to apply for a family member’s records, then you will need their permission or in the case of a deceased person, their next-of-kin’s permission.

Compiling such a family medical tree is quite an undertaking but you might find it a very worthwhile and interesting exercise with valuable benefits for both you and your family.

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A growing band of knowledgeable consumers are turning away from commercial brands of toothpaste because they have become aware how they are loaded with toxic chemicals including the now discredited fluoride. In fact, instructions on commercial toothpaste packaging warn against swallowing toothpaste (as if that will keep you safe).

Fluoride should always be avoided as much as possible.

Fluoride ‘fills in’ holes in teeth and bones before the body has an opportunity to correct the holes with proper minerals.  Fluoride actually creates weaker teeth and bones. Fluoride is also a neuro-toxin.  Make sure to brush with fluoride-free toothpaste and use filtered water with fluoride-eliminating filters. In addition to the sodium fluoride in commercial toothpastes, there are artificial sweeteners, artificial colorings and other toxic chemicals.

You may not be swallowing toothpaste but the oral mucosa in your mouth will still absorb these harmful ingredients.

A simple homemade tooth paste can be made by mixing coconut oil, aluminum-free baking soda, and a couple of drops of peppermint oil.  Add a drop or two of tea tree oil to your homemade toothpaste to benefit both your mouth and gums and avoid plaque build up or gingivitis.

Here is the recipe from http://saveourbones.com/the-bone-healthy-toothpaste-you-can-make-at-home/

Save Your Smile Toothpaste

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons organic coconut oil
3 tablespoons baking soda
1/2 small (individual) packet of stevia
20-25 drops of peppermint oil – adjust to taste – such as Vitacost 100% Pure Peppermint Oil – 4 fl oz

Directions

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and store in a tightly sealed container.

Instead of peppermint oil, you can ring the changes with spearmint essential oil, clove oil or rose oil.

When using this toothpaste, sometimes give it a rest for a day or two and use just the plain organic coconut oil because baking soda can cause abrasions to the teeth if used continuously every day.

You can also substitute the stevia for xylitol which has a natural sweet taste.

Another homemade toothpaste recipe is to use 3 ounces of fluoride-free water to which is added 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide. Mix together in a container which can be sealed. Tip out a small amount onto a saucer when it is time to clean your teeth and keep dipping your toothbrush into the mixture. Just one word of warning about this recipe is: do not use it if you have amalgam fillings because they contain mercury and the peroxide releases this toxic mercury from the fillings.

Make yourself a natural mouth wash to use after cleaning your teeth. This is also excellent to prevent gum recession. Add a teaspoon of natural salt (such as Himalayan salt) to a quarter cup of water. Swish through your teeth for a few minutes before spitting out again.

If you wish to buy a natural toothpast, Trader Joe’s has a great one which is all natural, no fluoride and antiplaque. The ingredients include fennel, propolis and myrrh. This comes in a large tube and is very cost effective.

Another safe toothpaste to buy is Melaleuca which works especially well for sensitive teeth and has amongst its ingredients, xylitol and myrrh oil. In addition to cleaning your teeth, it fights tartar, removes plaque, whitens teeth and freshens breath.

A friend of mine uses Miessence toothpaste which she confirms is a good, safe product but pricey. She makes it go further by putting a minute amount of the Miessence paste on her wet brush before dipping into her own tooth powder which is a blend of 60% xylitol to 40% baking soda. She confirms that xylitol is an alcohol sugar that is very good for oral hygiene.

Take that special bit of effort to make your own safe and natural tooth paste that will neither harm your bones nor your general health.

Delicious, fleshy, succulent plums are low in calories and contain no saturated fats but offer all these health benefits:

1. They are a great source of vitamin C, helping your body fight infection, as well as increasing your iron absorption. Vitamin C is also a powerful natural antioxidant. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps your body develop resistance against infectious agents, counter inflammation and scavenge harmful free radicals.

2. High in fiber, plums along with other high fiber foods can help towards the prevention of diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, colon cancer, obesity and of course conditions like hemorrhoids and anal fissures which are often caused by constipation. Along with dietary fiber, are sorbitol, and isatin that are known to help keep you regular. Both plums and the dried version – prunes – act as an effective and natural laxative.

3. Fresh plums, especially the yellow Mirabelle type, are a very good source of vitamin A and beta carotene, giving your eyesight a boost. Vitamin A is essential for vision. It is also needed to maintain healthy mucus membranes and skin. When we eat natural fruits rich in vitamin A, we help to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

4. Plums are also good in health promoting flavonoid poly phenolic antioxidants such as lutein, cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin in significant amounts. These compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease processes.  In addition, zeaxanthin (an important dietary carotenoid) can be selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea where it is thought to provide antioxidant and protective light-filtering functions.

5. Plums are rich in minerals like potassium, fluoride and iron. Iron is required for red blood cell formation. Potassium in an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure.

6. Plums are also rich in the B-complex group of vitamins such as niacin, vitamin B-6 and pantothenic acid. These vitamins act as cofactors to help our bodies metabolize carbohydrates, proteins and fats. They also provide about 5% RDA levels of vitamin K which is often called the forgotten vitamin. Vitamin K is essential for many clotting  functions in the blood as well as in bone metabolism while helping reduce Alzheimer’s disease in the elderly.

I love to munch on fresh and raw plums whenever they are in season but here are a couple of delicious plum recipes for you to try out. While both contain sugar, you could always substitute the sugar ingredient with some safe stevia instead.

Honey Roasted Plums with Thyme and Greek Yogurt (from Joy the Baker)

Ingredients

1/2 cup (packed) dark brown sugar

1/4 cup honey

4 Tbs or half stick unsalted butter

1/2 cup fresh thyme sprigs

2 pounds of plums , halved and stoned

Garnish – Greek yogurt, crème fraiche or whipped cream

Method

Preheat oven to 475°F. Stir first 4 ingredients in large ovenproof nonstick skillet over high heat until butter melts. Leave the thyme leaves on the sprigs so they’re easier to remove once cooked. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly (mixture will bubble vigorously). Add plum halves, cut side down. Cook plums without stirring for a further 2 minutes. Turn plums over and transfer skillet to oven. Roast until caramel is deep brown, checking frequently to prevent burning, about 4 minutes in total. Divide plum halves among 6 plates. Spoon sauce from skillet over plums, leaving most of thyme sprigs behind. Drizzle plums with yogurt, crème fraiche or whipped cream, garnish with additional thyme sprigs and serve.

Poached Plums with Cinnamon Cream (from the Cape Deciduous Fruit Unifruco Promotions)

Ingredients

2 pounds of plums, halved and stoned

Half cup of sugar (or stevia equivalent)

Grated rind and juice of 1 orange

Cup and a quarter of thick cream

2 tsp of warmed apricot jam’

1 tsp of ground cinnamon

Method

Place plums with sugar, orange rind and juice and enough water to cover in a suacepan. Simmer until just cooked (approx 10 to 15 minutes) and chill. Beat cream with jam and add cinnamon. Spoon plums into 6 to 8 wine glasses and top each with a swirl of cinnamon cream.

Serve and enjoy.

For a safer treat, look out for organic plums from your local store or farmers market.

Women are well aware of mammogram but perhaps not so of thermograms. And yet, thermograms are safer, painless, more efficient and don’t radiate you. Sadly, mammograms expose your body to doses of radiation that can even be up to 1,000 times greater than that from a chest x-ray. And remember that this x-ray techonogy is cumulative so it builds up in your tissue. Thermography, using a different method, sees the “heat” generated by any developing growth long before it shows up as a palpable mass.

Here are some interesting differences between the two:

-  Mammograms have an increasing percentage of false positives even after beginning at 10% while thermography has a constant false positive possibility of only 5%.

-  Mamography detects cancer sites that can usually already be detected by touch while thermography detects possible cancer far before mamography – typically 12 months earlier.

-  Mammography detects anatomic or structural changes like tumors and cysts while thermography detects physiologic or actual functional changes. Physiological changes ALWAYS come before anatomic changes. Therefore, thermography offers an opportunity for early detection, intervention and prevention.

Check the pictures that show progressive cancer growth via thermography, and notice when there is a first detection via mamography: http://thermographyarizona.com/about_thermography.html

In his article on the dangers of mammograms which you can find at http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/01/05/mammograms-only-occasionally-save-lives.aspx?e_cid=20120105_DNL_art_3 Dr Mercola makes these points regarding mammograms:

 ”Only about 1 in 8 women whose breast cancer was identified during a routine mammogram actually had their lives “saved” by the screening, a recent analysis estimated – and this does not accurately account for how many women will fall victim to mammogram-induced breast cancer.

Many of these tumors would have grown very slowly, if at all, and never would have threatened or decreased the quality of the woman’s life.

Many invasive breast cancers “spontaneously regress” when left undiagnosed and untreated, according to new research published in The Lancet Oncology.

X-ray mammography uses a uniquely harmful type of ionizing radiation which has been linked to the development of invasive breast cancer.

The intense push for breast screenings has many women believing, falsely, that the technology actually “prevents” breast cancer, distracting them from other, truly preventive and effective strategies.

Medical Insurance – right now medical insurance does not pay for thermography in the US but if enough women stop using mammography and used only thermography, insurance companies would eventually come around to a new way of thinking.  It would save such insurance companies a lot of money in the end. At the moment the cost of a thermogram appears to vary between $150 and $200.

You can find your nearest thermography clinic in the US by checking out these sites - naturalhealthcenter.mercola.com/services/thermography-listing.aspx or www.ACAM.org

In the UK, where thermography is less well known and clinics few and far between, there is a another form of screening recently arrived on the scene. MARIA is the name of pain-free radio-wave 8 seconds breast scanner. This woman-friendly more reliable system might be the future of breast screening in the rest of Europe too. For more information, here is a site to check out  www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2068870/The-second-scan-detect-brea.

Unfortunately mammograms have become part of the pink ribbon campaign and very much a multi-billion dollar industry. In spite of the questions of safety, the pain suffered from women who undergo this degrading procedure and the lack of efficacy, mammograms continue to be touted as the screening method of choice by the medical community.

Thermography is an excellent alternative to a mammogram using infrared imaging to screen for breast cancer so that all exposure to radiation is eliminated.

1. Green tea which has 10 good reasons to drink this beverage all of its own because: it is an excellent source of anti-oxidants to protect against cancer and other diseases; it prolongs your life; lowers stress but boosts brain power; reduces high blood pressure; if you have bad habits, it helps protect lungs from smoking and your liver from alcohol; helps preserve and build bone; boosts your immune system; rehydrates even better than water; and prevents tooth decay and cures bad breath.

2. Apart from green tea, other sources of anti-oxidants (which have been shown to help slow down carcinogenesis – the process of cancer cell formation) include blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and other brightly coloured fruits and veggies. Go for fresh fruit and veggies in every color of the rainbow and as raw as possible.

3. A diet rich in fiber is another important tool in preventing cancers. Once again eat plenty of fresh vegetables and certain fruits such as raspberries and strawberries, bananas and oranges as well as apples and pears (with their skins) as these are invaluable for fiber along with oatmeal, nuts, whole grains, beans, peas and lentils.

4. Turmeric and ginger are two powerful spices that have been used widely throughout history for both culinary and medical purposes. Although they are used in many different types of cuisine for their flavor, these spices may also provide a number of health benefits. According to a 1999 study published in the “British Journal of Cancer” by researchers at the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia, extracts of ginger and turmeric have been found to inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors. In this study of human cancer cells, turmeric was found to completely inhibit further growth of cancer cells. Ginger was also found to inhibit tumor growth. In 2006, an additional study by researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center showed that ginger has further benefits for women suffering from ovarian cancer, as it kills ovarian cancer cells.

5. Garlic and onions and mushrooms are all easily accessible vegetables that are proven to be great for cancer prevention. Include them in your daily diet as often as you can – and in their raw state if possible.

6. All vegetables are the superfoods which we should all be eating. Go for fresh, raw and organic where possible. Cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli are especially high in potent anti-cancer properties.

7. Pumpkin seeds are rich in essential fatty acids, protecting against serious health diseases such as high blood pressure, arthritis and cancer while promoting healthy skin and improving brain power.

8. Red Clover is a traditional herbal treatment for cancer due to its ability to stimulate the immune system with recent research finding evidence that it prevents the growth of cancer cells and is highly effective in treatment for prostate and liver health.

9. Vitamin C lowers cancer risk with recent research on over 800 men with lung cancer during a 25 year period showing a 64% reduction by taking only 83 mg of vitamin C a day. Further research has shown a 50 to 75% reduction in cancers in laboratory mice when vitamin C was added to their diet. This has prompted the National Cancer Institute to recommend 5 to 10 servings of vegetables or fruits each day. Because vitamin C cannot be manufactured in the human body, intake from foods or supplements is vital. Vitamin C is easily sourced from citrus fruits, as well as cherries and many other fruits and vegetables. Additional supplementation is also recommended.

10. Vitamin D can decrease your risk of cancer by up to 50% if you can get your levels sufficiently high. Achieve this by getting optimal sun exposure year round for 20 minutes or so in those 2 hours either side of 12 noon several times a week by exposing as much of your body as possible and staying in the sun until your skin starts to turn pink. Avoid putting on sun block or showering off with soap straight afterwards as this undoes all the good. If you cannot get sufficient sun exposure because of the climatic area where you live, you need a good dose of vitamin D3 supplement. The average adult needs to take 8,000 IUs of vitamin D per day in order to elevate their levels above 40 ng/ml (the absolute minimum for disease prevention) but if you can aim for 75 to 100 ng/ml even better.

In addition, drugs for Alzheimer’s disease work in fewer than 30% of patients.

Fortunately, there are many studies being carried out on Alzehimer’s with suggestions as to what could be the cause and how you can help prevent or treat this condition. A neurology study, recently released, points to a diet rich in vitamins and fish could well protect the brain from ageing but that eating junk food has the opposite effect.

According to an article on the BBC Health Website - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16344228 – the study found that elderly people with high blood levels of vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids had less brain shrinkage and better mental performance while trans fats found in fast foods were linked to lower scores in tests and more shrinkage typical of Alzheimer’s. Researchers found those who had more vitamin B, C, D and E in their blood performed better in tests of memory and thinking skills. People with high levels of omega 3 fatty acids – found mainly in fish – also had high scores. The poorest scores were found in people who had more trans fats in their blood. Trans fats are common in processed foods – including cakes, cookies, snacks and fried foods.

The researchers – from Oregon Health and Science University, Portland; Portland VA Medical Center; and Oregon State University, Corvallis – also carried out brain scans on 42 of the participants. They found individuals with high levels of vitamins and omega 3 in their blood were more likely to have a larger brain volume while those with high levels of trans fat had a smaller total brain volume.

At present, Alzheimer’s Research UK advise eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, not smoking, taking regular exercise and keep blood pressure and cholesterol in check.

However, there is much more you can add to this.

1. Increasing your intake of nutrients and vitamins. Margaret Traber of the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University is a firm believer in taking nutrients and vitamins from a wide range of fruits, vegetables and fish as they have a strong potential to protect the brain and make it work better. Raw nuts of all types give you a good helping of vitamin E, boosting your memory powers. Broccoli is a great source of vitamin K which is known to enhance cognitive function and improve brain power as well as being linked to the prevention and control of Alzheimer’s.  Eggs and oily varieties of fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel and herring) are an excellent source of EFAs or essentially faty acids for the creation and maintenance of memories, improving our learning powers and memory.

3. Increasing your vitamin K2 levels. Research has also shown a deficiency of vitamin K occurs in those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease while other research studies show that vitamin K helps protect the liver and spleen from cancer. It also helps diabetics and obese people by reducing glucose intolerance and promoting insulin regulation controls in the body.

4. Increasing your vitamin D levels. Vitamin D has been found to alter the development and progression of many diseases including including cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Alzheimer’s disease can now be added to the list and in fact obtaining vitamin D from natural sunlight or supplementing with the pro-hormone should be mandatory for all health-minded people wishing to lower chronic disease risk. It can be more difficult to absorb vitamin D as you age so regular testing is advised. Scientists have observed that vitamin D levels are typically low in aging adults when diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and can now make the connection between blood saturation levels and the disease.

5. Getting rid of fluoride in your water supply. Sodium Fluoride is a synthetic waste product of the nuclear, aluminum and phosphate fertilizer industries. This fluoride has an amazing capacity to combine and increase the potency of other toxic materials. The sodium fluoride obtained from industrial waste and added to water supplies is also already contaminated with lead, aluminum, and cadmium. It damages the liver and kidneys, weakens the immune system (possibly leading to cancer), creates symptoms that mimic fibromyalgia, and performs as a Trojan Horse to carry aluminum across the blood brain barrier. The latter is recognized as a source of the notorious “dumbing down” with lower IQ’s and Alzheimer’s being among the effects of fluoride. You can rid you body of most fluorides with some easy natural remedies.  http://www.hawkeshealth.net/community/showthread.php?t=2502&highlight=alzheimer%27s

6. Adding coconut oil to your diet.  Take two tablespoons daily with food but start off with just a teaspoon of coconut oil and gradually build up as the raw oil might be tough on your stomach.  Just make sure it’s organic virgin coconut oil. If you need to cook food in oil, coconut oil may be the best as it is more resistant to heat, since it has saturated fatty acids. Just keep the flame low and use as little as you can.

7. Recently, the medical world has become interested in a supplement known as Ehos Endymion, which contains l-carnosine, a strong antioxidant which appears to have dramatic results for brain boosting. Other good things to come from this supplement include help for cataracts, improving skin tone, speeding up wound healing, and protecting the brain from plaque formation that may lead to senility and Alzheimer’s.  Apart from taking a supplement, l-carnosine is found in chicken and lean red meat.

The more we can understand about this ageing condition, the more we can do to prevent its onset.

In the article found at http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/08/10/making-sense-of-your-cholesterol-numbers.aspx  Dr Mercola points out that cholesterol could easily be described as the smoking gun of the last two decades.

He says “It”s been responsible for demonizing entire categories of foods (like eggs and saturated fats) and blamed for just about every case of heart disease in the last 20 years. Yet when I first opened my medical practice in the mid 80s, cholesterol, and the fear that yours was too high, was rarely talked about.  Somewhere along the way, however, cholesterol became a household word — something that you must keep as low as possible or suffer the consequences.

You are probably aware that there are many myths that portray fat and cholesterol as one of the worst foods you can consume. Please understand that these myths are actually harming your health. Not only is cholesterol most likely not going to destroy your health (as you have been led to believe) but it is also not the cause of heart disease.”

For those who are taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, it is important that you read the information in the article above as well as http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/07/20/the-truth-about-statin-drugs-revealed.aspx to learn about how dangerous such drugs can be.

If you are still concerned about your cholesterol levels, then diet and natural remedies can play a big part in reducing those levels.

1. Eating fatty fish from a safe source at least two or three times a week can protect your heart because of the high levels of Omega 3. Omega 3 is great for reducing the bad cholesterol (LDL), reducing the risk of blood clots and reducing the risk of heart disease. The best fatty fish to eat are salmon, trout, pilchards and sardines. If you cannot find a safe and sustainable source of these fish, then take an Omega 3 supplement instead.

2. Nuts are a great way to reduce your blood cholesterol while keeping the blood vessels healthy. The best varieties to eat are almonds, pistachios, pecans and walnuts which are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Remember to always eat your nuts in their raw state with no salting and no roasting. Try to have a small handful of nuts daily – they have lots of other health benefits too.

2. Fibre, and in particular soluble fiber, can help to reduce your total cholesterol and more importantly your bad cholesterol. You can find such soluble fiber in these foods: oatmeal, bananas, pears, prune, beans, lentils and vegetables. Make sure you consume at least 25 to 30 grams of fiber every day.

3. Look for foods that have added stanols and sterols as these will help prevent cholesterol absorption, thereby decreasing total cholesterol levels. plant sterols and stanols can occur naturally in foods or be fortified into other food products. Examples of natural food sources are avocado and sunflower seeds. Examples of foods that have been fortified with sterols and stanols are certain yogurt drinks and other products. You need to check the other ingredients in case these are less than healthy.

4. Take generous doses of vitamin C which inhibits the same enzyme that the statins drugs do, without any of their side effects.  The amount of the enzyme inhibition depends on the amount of vitamin C someone takes. If their cholesterol levels are too high, they can take several grams of vitamin C daily without lowering the cholesterol levels too much. Vitamin C also regulates cholesterol in a different way because it converts it into a substance called a bile acid, which is then broken down by the liver. Vitamin C deficiency slows the above conversion, which can then make excess cholesterol accumulate in the arteries and also cause gallstones. There is much evidence now that a vitamin C deficiency can also raises cholesterol levels above normal.

5. Include half a raw onion in your daily diet to prevent or treat cholesterol because of the onion’s anti-coagulant properties while making sure to have free range eggs that have one third less cholesterol than regular eggs.

Exercise also plays an important role in reducing your cholesterol – and the best form of exercise? Start taking a brisk thirty minute walk at least five times a week.

However, it was not always like this. In the past, we relied on natural remedies and herbal remedies to treat all our ailments and many of the more discerning amongst us question the need for so many manufactured chemical drugs to be distributed and taken.

In fact highlighted in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and written about on the website www.foodmatters.tv is an article that documents the tragedy of conventional medical health. The author, Dr. Barbara Starfield of the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, describes how the US health care system is certainly not helping to keep us healthy.

She quotes that each year there are deaths as follows:

12,000 from unnecessary surgery
7,000 from medication errors in hospitals
20,000 from other errors in hospitals
80,000 from infections in hospitals and
106,000 from non-error, negative effects of drugs

These total 225,000 deaths per year from modern medicine.

You can read more of this article at http://www.foodmatters.tv/_webapp_195111/Are_Drugs_Killing_You

Fortunately, there are many options now available for us to return to natural treatment methods. These can be found in health shops and stores and online. So there is really no need for us to ingest all these chemicals when we can so easily go the natural route. Unlike chemical drugs, healing plants and herbs have been tried and tested by man for hundreds of years.

Many conditions can be treated successfully, gently and safely with medications made from natural products. Such conditions include warts, skin tags and hemorrhoids.

Warts, including all body warts, are easily spread but can be eliminated by the use of a natural product. All warts are caused by the human papilloma virus or HPV and once you have this virus, you have it for life. There are over 100 strains of this virus.

Skin tags are those annoying bits of skin or tags that protrude from the body mostly in the armpit but also along the neckline, beneath the breasts, on and above the eyelids and even in the groin area. They have their own blood supply and can bleed if rubbed by clothing or jewellery or shaved in error. They are common in both men and women as they grow older but tend to be more numerous in obese persons and those with type  2 diabetes. The earlier they are treated, the easier it is to treat them successfully. With a healing natural oils product, there is no need to undergo a painful and scarring solution.

Hemorrhoids are like varicose veins in the rectum and the anus. They are a very common complaint. Hemorrhoids are swellings that develop from the cushions of tissue that form part of the anal canal. Constipation, obesiety and the later stages of pregnancy can all increase pressure on this area, leading to hemorrhoids. When hemorrhoids are small, they are not usually painful but can be extremely itchy. It is when a hard lump starts to protrude form the anus, signaling thrombosis, that a severe pain can be felt. Improving your diet and good exercise play an important role in the treatment of hemorrhoids together with a natural healing treatment.

Natural remedies can help prevent and treat specific health conditions and disorders. From mild skin irritations to more serious medical conditions, there are natural treatments and herbal remedies that can really make a difference, safely and gently and with no dangerous side effects.  

The United States is in the midst of a tragic epidemic of autism. An analysis of the US Department of Education data from 1992-1993 in comparison to the years 2000-2001 indicates that there has been an average increase of 644% among all US children – and those figures are from 10 years ago.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development that are characterized by difficulties in social interaction, communication and repetitive behaviors. They include autistic disorder, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder -not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) – and Asperger Syndrome. Interestingly, some of those with ASD excel in visual skills, music, math and art.

Autism causes children to experience the world differently from the way most other children do. They might find it difficult to talk with other people and to express themselves using words. They usually keep to themselves and many cannot communicate without special help. They might react to what is going on around them in different and unusual ways. Sounds that appear normal to us may bother an autistic child so that they cover their ears. Being touched can cause concern in other autistic children while they might not be able to relate to someone smiling at them or being friendly.  An autistic child can have difficult in linking words to their meanings which can be very frustrating. Autistic children can have other unusual ways of behaving such as flapping their hands, repetitive phrases or words, having temper tantrums or concentrating on just one toy. Frequently they will like a set routine which must not be deviated from or their possessions must be kept in a certain way and never moved or disturbed. Some or all of these signs of autism can make it difficult for a child to function in everyday life.

Autism can vary from mild to serious. The severity will affect how much help a child needs.

Autism appears to have its roots in very early brain development. Although the most obvious signs of autism and symptoms of autism tend to emerge between 2 and 3 years of age, children as young as a year old can show signs of autism. A growing number of scientists and researchers believe that a relationship between the increase in neurodevelopmental disorders of autism, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, and speech or language delay, and the increased use of thimerosal in vaccines is plausible and deserves more scrutiny.

It is vital to learn the early signs of autism and understand the typical developmental milestones your child should be reaching at different ages. Listed below are red flags for possible autism. If you have concerns, speak to your doctor about screening your child for autism because if your child does have autism, early intervention may be his or her best hope.

-  No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or later.

-  No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles or other facial expressions by nine months or later.

-  No babbling by 12 months.

-  No back-and-forth gestures, such as pointing, showing, reaching, or waving by 12 months.

-  No words by 16 months.

-  No two-word meaningful phrases (without imitating or repeating) by 24 months.

-  Any loss of speech or babbling or social skills at any age.

Diet can play a very important role in helping your child if he or she has been diagnosed with autism.

-  Test for both gluten and dairy sensitivity immediately. At the same time, test for other food allergens. Gluten has been shown in numerous research studies to damage nerve tissue so that anyone with neurological illness of unknown origin should be genetically tested for gluten sensitivity.

-  Remove all sugar, artificial dyes and processed foods from their diet.

-  Stop any treatments (dental or medical) that introduce mercury into the body. Remember that vaccines and flu shots are common sources.

-  Test for vitamin and mineral deficiencies – especially B-vitamins. The body’s production of neurotransmitters (chemicals that allow proper communication in the nervous system) is largely dependent on vitamin B-6, folate, B-12, B-5, B-1, zinc, copper, magnesium, and vitamin C.

If you are a parent of an autistic child, you can get information and support from such websites as:

http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/index.php

http://www.autismunited.org/

http://www.generationrescue.org/

This means that when someone is infected with the HIV virus, and the immune system is weakened, the helpful bacteria in the body which would normally keep thrush under control are in short supply. These are the conditions in which thrush loves to thrive.

You don’t catch candida as it is already present in us and on us, and it has to compete with other micro-organisms including bacteria. Such bacterial are harmless but good at keeping yeast numbers down. Unfortunately, if we have to take antibiotics to fight infection, these antibiotics will kill off the good bacteria along with the bad bacteria so that candida takes the opportunity to start multiplying and, if it multiplies sufficiently, can cause pain and inflammation and affect the external surface of the skin or that of the vagina, the penis or even the mouth. In rarer cases, the candida can infect the blood stream, liver or spleen.

This is why candida can be such a serious health threat to those with HIV and AIDS. They do not have a strong enough immune system to fight off the candida.

HIV and AIDS is of course responsible for weakening and damaging the immune system thereby putting anyone with HIV or AIDS so much more at risk to candidiasis and yeast infections. Thrush in the mouth is extremely common in those people with HIV when their CD4 cell count is between 200 and 400.

They will also be prone to candida on the gums, tongue, inner cheek and / or the upper throat which is known as oropharyngeal cadidiasis. In such areas, the candida will grow in white clumps (which can be scraped away) or the candida will appear as red patches. When candida affects any of these places, it can be painful to eat or drink.

A more serious candida yeast infection in HIV/AIDS patients is oesophageal candidiasis. This appears in the gullet, also making it very painful to eat, and is actually considered to be one of the symptoms of AIDS.

While candida can appear in different parts of the body including the vagina in females and under the foreskin of the penis in males, when someone has an advanced HIV infection, candida can start occurring in different parts of the body at the same time including the lungs. Such an infection in the lungs is known as pulmonary candidiasis.

If you have AIDS, it is very likely that you may have another opportunist infection or be taking drugs to prevent one. So apart from antibiotocs, steroids and even cancer drugs have been found to cause candidiasis. There is more likelihood of this if these drugs have been taken for a long period of time.

You can improve the situation and prevent an outbreak of candidiasis by ensuring that your CD4+ count stays high by boosting the immune system with a combination of anti HIV drugs and good lifestyle choices such as eating nutritious, healthy food including plenty of fresh vegetables (raw whenever possible and especially lots of raw garlic) plus protein foods (grass fed beef, free range chicken and eggs, fish), live yogurt cultures (both dairy and non-dairy), FOS or fructo-oligosaccharides that are nondigestible dietary fibers that help to keep the stomach and bowels healthy, whey, acidophilus, green algae (such as spirulina and chlorella), raw nuts, seeds and oils, and non-glutenous grains (like millet, rice, rice bran and oat bran); getting regular exercise; avoiding stress; cutting down on alcohol intake and not smoking; ensuring regular and good quality sleep; and making sure your vitamin D levels are topped up by getting plenty of direct sunlight every day and taking a vitamin D3 supplement.  At the same time, avoid aged cheeses, chocolate, dried fruits, fresh fruits, fermented foods, mushrooms, vinegar, glutenous foods (wheat, rye, barley), all sugars, honeys and syrups and foods that contain yeast or mold.

In fact excellent nutrition and good lifestyle choices can go a long way to help the HIV/AIDS too.

- They both cause anal pain

- They can both cause itching

- They can both have bleeding as a symptom

- They can both be caused by constipation

- They both appear in the anal region

- They can both be treated in similar ways

- They can both occur during pregnancy and as a side effect during the actual birth

Anal fissures have a sharp knife-like pain when using the toilet to have a bowel movement. This pain can continue afterwards for a few minutes or much longer. Some people describe this pain as like being cut by glass. Hemorrhoids have more of a nagging and aching pain which can also cause discomfort when having a bowel movement.

In some people, anal fissures can be very itchy so that it almost becomes the main symptom. The itchiness can be caused by the very sensitive area in which anal fissures occur. Hemorrhoids are abnormally swollen veins in the rectum and anus; and similar to the varicose veins that can appear on the legs. When these bulging veins are irritated, they cause the surrounding membranes to swell up so that they cause a lot of discomfort including itching.

Anal fissures are usually accompanied by bleeding when bright red blood is noticed on the toilet tissue or toilet bowl. Bleeding hemorrhoids are hemorrhoids with a mucus covering that can become damaged quite easily from a bowel movement so that they can start to bleed. This secondary condition needs to be treated and healed before the actual hemorrhoids condition is treated itself.

Constipation is one of the causes of anal fissures. This constipation leads to hard stools which are difficult to pass, putting a strain on the skin of the anus so that it might have one or more slight tears. These tears are anal fissures and they cannot heal until the problem of constipation is addressed. Constipation is also one of the causes of hemorrhoids. Much of the pain and discomfort of hemorrhoids is from the so called “piles” which may appear at the opening of the anal passage after straining when having a bowel movement.

There are two rings of muscle which control the opening of the anus and if the stool is to pass through comfortably then both these muscles need to relax. While the external anal muscle tenses and relaxes freely, the internal muscle does not. The pain of the anal fissure may cause the internal anal muscle to go into spasm, thus raising the pressure within the anus. This pressure then makes it harder to pass a stool resulting in worse constipation and so a vicious cycle occurs. Hemorrhoids are clusters of veins in the anus and just under the membrane that lines the lower part of the rectum and the anus.

Treatment of both anal fissures and hemorrhoids requires checking bowel movement habits and avoiding constipation so that the bowel movements become smaller and softer. Changing to a diet which is high in fiber and includes fruit and vegetables as well as brown rice, bread and wholewheat pasta, drinking plenty of water and taking a temporary bulk laxative or stool softener will all help with this. Frequent warm baths or just sitting in a bowl of water will help to relax the anus. Ice packs or cotton wool pads treated with witch hazel are soothing and comforting to both anal fissures and hemorrhoids.

For more information on how to treat constipation the natural way, go to our post http://www.amoils.com/health-blog/how-to-treat-constipation-the-natural-way/

In addition, Healing Natural Oils provides 100% natural treatments for both anal fissures and hemorrhoids produced from pure essential oils. For a safe and gently remedy, use H-Fissures for anal fissures and H-Hemorrhoids and H-Bleeding Hemorrhoids for the treatment of hemorrhoids. There are also special versions of these healing natural oils products that are 100% safe to use during pregnancy and when breastfeeding.

The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis usually creep up on you slowly with sometimes just some stiffness or swelling felt in the small joints such as the fingers and toes. A little later, the shoulders could be affected with some muscle stiffness. As the disease progresses, the elbows, knees, hips, jaw and neck can also become involved.

In most cases, symptoms occur symmetrically – that is in the same joints on both sides of the body. Symptoms typically last more than two weeks.

As the symptoms worsen, there can be:

1. Pain which is usually described as a throbbing, aching kind of pain that is worse in the mornings and particularly if you have been sitting still for some time. The pain is often more noticeable during periods of rest rather than after any activity.

2. Stiffness in the joints is a common symptom especially in the morning. While morning stiffness associated with osteoarthritis usually wears off within 30 minutes of getting up in the morning, that for , rheumatoid arthritis usually lasts longer than half an hour and can be as long as two hours.

3. Warmth and redness is often noticeable because with rheumatoid arthritis, the lining of the affected joint becomes inflamed so that these joints swell and as a result feel hot or warm to the touch and tender and painful.

 4. Inflammation around the joints is also possible while rheumatoid arthritis can also cause inflammation of the glands (tear and salivary); of the lining of the heart and lungs; and to the blood vessels.

5. Red and puffy hands.

6. Firm bumps of tissue under the skin on the arms (known as rheumatoid nodules).

7. Feeling very tired and a general sense of feeling unwell

8. Fever and weight loss are two further symptoms of RA that you should be aware of.

Rheumatoid arthritis signs and symptoms can vary from mild to severe and back again and may even come and go. Rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups can alternate with periods of remission when the symptoms can fade or even disappear. You can experience a flare-up at any time of the day or night but it is much more likely that your symptoms will be more painful in the morning, when you first wake up, easing as the day goes on and you are using your joints.

An important feature of this inflammatory illness is that the body’s own immune system targets its own tissue as an enemy. Joint swelling over a long period of time can lead to deformity and loss of function in the joint. 

The resulting inflammation thickens this lining (known as the synovium) so that in time it actually invades and destroys the cartilage and bone within the joint. At the same time, the tendons and ligaments that hold the joint together weaken and stretch so that the joint loses both its shape and alignment. It is not yet known what starts the whole process off but there are some contributing factors:

• Often RA runs in families so that you can inherit a predisposition to rheumatoid arthritis.

• It is much more common in women than in men.

• Ageing – it is more common after the age of 40.

• Smoking considerably increases your risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

As soon as you aware of possible RA symptoms, see your doctor for a positive diagnosis and treatment. But you don’t necessarily have to go the pharmaceutical drug route for such treatment as there are natural herbal treatments available, chiropractic therapy and also exercise can be extremely helpful. Stretching, strength and endurance, and aerobic are the three types of exercise that arthritis sufferers should include in their fitness regimen.

A pattern usually forms where the migraine will return at the same time each day for several days or even weeks. There will then be a break of perhaps months before the same cluster migraine pattern returns. Of course each sufferer will have a different pattern. Cluster migraines are more common in men and can occur at any age but are more likely in adolescence and middle age.

Cluster migraine headaches can be very debilitating, affecting the quality of life, impacting on careers and even be a prime reason for depression.

While research scientists do not know exactly what causes cluster headaches, they believe there is a link to the body’s sudden release of histamine or serotonin so that the following may then trigger cluster migraine attacks.

Factors that may trigger an attack include:

- The taking of medications such as nitroglycerine

- Stress

- Strong odors

- Being a heavy smoker and/or alcoholic drinker

- The continued interruption of your sleeping pattern

- Problems with the hypothalamus which controls your body’s clock

- High altitudes (for example hiking in high regions or air travel)

- Bright light (including sunlight or fluorescent lighting)

- Over exertion during exercise

- Heat such as very hot weather, hot baths or using a sauna

- Extreme cold

- Pressure on nerve endings

- Foods high in nitrites (such as bacon, preserved meats and other processed proteins)

- Aged cheese and some wines

- The use of cocaine

When suffering from cluster migraine headaches, it is wise to see your doctor for a definite diagnosis and advice regarding treatment as there are several different types of medication available. The path for treatment you decide to follow will depend upon the severity of your condition. Often one medication is taken regularly during the cluster period to reduce the number of headaches while a second is taken when an attack occurs to relieve the pain. Obviously, it is always safer with any type of prescription drug to use the minimum necessary for an effective result. It can happen that the side effects are as problematic as the condition itself.

Be aware of the various triggers that can cause a cluster migraine headache to start and steer clear of them whenever possible. While medication is the most common process for the treatment of cluster migraine, herbal treatments are used by many to dispel the stubborn pain of cluster migraines. One such herb is  Vitex Agnus Castus where part of the seed is used – the dosage being half a teaspoon to a cup of water – and it goes to work by resolving the hormonal imbalances while improving fat metabolism and nutrient absorption. Another alternative to pharmaceutical drugs is a natural product such as H-Headaches from Healing Natural Oils.

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Here are some safer ways to help treat and prevent psoriasis:

-  Sunlight can treat and prevent psoriasis. While many doctors prescribe artificial ultraviolet light treatments to patients suffering from psoriasis, if you live in the right climate a “no cost” alternative is to get more sunlight. Depending on your skin tone, 15 to 30 minutes of daily exposure to the sun enhances the production of vitamin D which helps treat psoriasis (amongst many other conditions) while boosting your immune system. The darker your skin, the more sunlight exposure you need and the optimum time is to choose your minutes during those two hours either side of noon while wearing as little clothing as possible. A cold climate alternative is to take sizable doses of vitamin D3 in the form of a supplement.

-  Salt water is a great home remedy for psoriasis. If you live close to the ocean, swim as often as you can or take seawater baths or apply seawater over the affected area once a day. Alternatively, bath in Epsom salts or oatmeal. Do not use chemical based soaps and other products as these will make the problem more severe and painful. Look for all natural products.

-  Mudpacks will absorb and remove the toxins from the psoriasis affected areas.

-  A daily dose of 200 to 800 IU of vitamin E has been found to reduce itching.

-  Add 2 drops of calendula to 1 drop of oregano oil in a small cup of olive oil. Apply regularly to the affected area.

-  Baking soda is an effective way to treat the itchiness associated with psoriasis. Dissolve 1/3 cup of baking soda in 1 gallon of water, soak a washcloth into this before wringing it out and applying directly to the affected skin. Repeat this several times.

-  Coconut Oil is yet another home remedy for relieving psoriasis. You can either take 2 tablespoons of coconut oil each day by adding it to your coffee or tea, or you can apply it topically onto the affected area 3 times per day. When starting with coconut oil, consume just a teaspoon per day and build up from there.

-  Petroleum jelly is an effective moisturizer but, as the ingredients are not ideal when seeking a more natural solution, how about making your own natural jelly which can be applied to the affected areas each day. It is also important to apply moisturizer within a few minutes after a bath or shower to “lock in” moisture.  The jelly is ideal for this.

Recipe for natural petroleum jelly:

Place 1 oz. of beeswax in the top of a double boiler and heat slowly until it melts. Don’t put beeswax in the microwave or in a standard saucepan, as it is flammable when exposed to direct heat.

Remove the melted wax from heat and squeeze the oil from six x 400 IU vitamin E capsules into the wax. Vitamin E has antioxidant properties which nourish and protect your skin while acting as a natural preservative to prolong the shelf life of your petroleum jelly.

Stir in 1/2 cup of extra virgin or cold pressed sweet almond oil. Stir the ingredients constantly as the mixture cools and thickens.

While still slightly warm, scoop the jelly mixture into a dark glass jar and leave unsealed to cool completely.

Keep in a cool, dark place, or in your refrigerator.

Use it as you would use commercial petroleum jelly.

-  Cayenne pepper has wonderful anti-inflammatory properties and is high in capsaicin.  Take regularly for psoriasis.

Part of the treatment for psoriasis using home remedies is to follow some simple rules:

-  Avoid hot, spice and pungent foods as they are difficult to digest and can cause toxins in the blood.

-  Reduce your intake of bad fats, animal proteins and especially sugars and artificial sweeteners.

-  Avoid processed salts and curds as they can inflame the skin further causing greater itching. Natural salt is fine.

-  Certain fruits and vegetables are beneficial for psoriasis including beets, grapes, cucumber, green vegetables and carrots while bitter tasting foods help purify the blood and facilitate the kidneys to flush out the toxins.

For a successful, safe, gentle and completely natural home remedy, Healing Natural Oils has a topical product known as H-Psoriasis.

However there are some noticeable differences.

Dealing with skin tags first, these small pieces of skin hang off the skin but are actually attached. They are usually irregular and bumpy in appearance with a fleshy color or darker skin color. Skin tags are very common and can very in color and size but when they first appear as small flaps, they all look the same.

It is only as they grow larger, that they can take on different shapes and sizes..

The scientific name for skin tags is acrochordon. Skin tags are more likely to appear on the eyelids, groin area and neck, but they can occur anywhere on the body. Skin tags are more usual in the middle aged. While there is no known cause of skin tags; they are not brought on by a virus like warts. Other contributing factors are diabetes and obesity. Pregnant women also are prone to developing skin tags. The good news is that skin tags are benign (non cancerous) and are not infectious.

Secondly, warts are more cylindrical and have a different texture when compared to skin tags plus they also come in different colors and can be single or clustered together. Warts come in white, pink or deeper shades, whereas skin tags are skin colored or a darker shade of skin color. Warts are small white or red bumps that can either be raised or flat. They are often described as looking like small cauliflowers. They are caused by the human papillomavirus or HPV. Warts are like little non cancerous tumors found on the body and come from well over 100 different strains of the virus.

Warts can be a nuisance but they are not painful except in the case of plantar warts on the foot.

Warts usually appear on the hands, feet and sometimes the face. While they are considered to be infectious, they are not dangerous or life threatening. However, certain body warts should receive immediate treatment as they can be particularly contagious and transmitted during sexual activity through skin-on-skin contact.

Treatment

Skin tags and warts are treated with over-the-counter or prescription medications. Your doctor may even suggest surgery or other similar methods to remove them. However, both skin tags and warts (wherever they are located) can be treated naturally with a healing natural oils product – H-Skin Tags for the skin tags condition and H-Warts for all types of warts. Both products are specially formulated from pure essential oils to ensure a 100% natural, safe and gentle healing process with no pain, no burning and no scarring.