Circadian Rhythms and Melatonin Go Hand-in-Hand

November 10, 2014

Circadian Rhythms and Melatonin Go Hand-in-Hand

You go to bed every day at almost a specific time and wake up around the same time daily. Have you ever imagined how come this happens almost in a rhythmic fashion?

Imagine if you could not be able to set standard waking time. You may miss going to job in time. You may be late for conferences. You may delay certain crucial arrangements meant to take place within specific times.

Fortunately that is not likely to happen because our lives are naturally programmed like the clock. From the time you wake up to the time you retire to bed. There are things that just happen spontaneously, like going for meals will follow a quest for it: you are hungry.

If you have a pre-set time for going to bed then immediately that time reaches you begin to feel tired. At that moment all your body needs is the rest. You give it to your body and you won’t even need an alarm to wake you up in the morning. You just find yourself waking up when the time your body is programmed to wake reaches.

All these rhythms of activities are controlled by systems inside our bodies. It is not us who decide the things we wish to feel. Neither do we decide exactly what to want. There are systems which do that inside our bodies, making us programmed like the clock.

This controlled daily cycle of rhythmic activity that is essentially based on the 24 hours period available every day is what is referred to as the circadian rhythm. These rhythms are not just exhibited by humans alone, rather, plants and animals also exhibit the circadian rhythms.

The rhythms relate to the 24 hour cycle of the solar and applies even to microbes like bacteria and fungi. All physiological responses are controlled within this system of activities: strength of the muscles, blood pressure, body temperature, hormonal circulation, neurotransmitter circulation and a number of other metabolic and physiological processes all follow the cycle of circadian rhythms.

Circadian Rhythms

With that background it becomes easier to understand therefore that diseases and wellbeing are channeled into these circadian rhythms. The diseases also follow their particular rhythms in the body. They are also controlled variously. For instance, studies indicate that certain breast cancer tumors grow faster at daytime that during the night.

Melatonin and the Body Processes

Melatonin, a substance produced by the brain, plays a critical role in not only growth but almost all essential processes in your body.

Some accumulating proof is indicating that interference with circadian rhythms has a close link to the growth of cancer, particularly the breast cancer. This is related to a complex network of interrelated physiological or neuroendocrineimmune processes controlled and regulated in distinct ways. In the middle of these processes is the chemical component Melatonin. Research has found that Melatonin produced in highest amounts at night during dark hours is perhaps the most crucial endogenous component in the actual regulation of these circadian rhythms and the clocks.

It works variously to ensure control of these processes including the suppression of the production of estrogen which are related to the causes of cancer. As such Melatonin has a key role in the treatment of cancer among other serious diseases.

Circadian Rhythms and Melatonin Go Hand-in-Hand

Teenagers and Insufficient Sleep: The Obesity risk

November 9, 2014

Teenagers and Insufficient Sleep: The Obesity risk

Most people understand the causes of obesity as related to overeating. Well that is true. Men and women, boys and girls; all suffer this excessive weight disorder.

At other instances you will often meet in books, e-books and health records that stress is causative to obesity. So you are requested to avoid anything that may cause a build-up of the hormone cortisol, the hormone responsible for the stress response in our bodies. Just for the sake of your own health and for the sake of all those who depend on you.

But, have you ever thought about sleep? What effects it may have on an individual’s weight gain pattern? Yes you know that stress may act either way; make you lose your appetite and lose weight in the process or increase your appetite to an extent that you eat but do not feel where the food is going, so you eat again…and again. Then you become FAT!

But, what about sleep?

In case you have a child who experience recurrent health related problems or emotional glitches, then you should as well begin considering the possibility of a lack of sleep being involved. Yes there could be other problems involved too, but it would be highly prudent to bring a lack of sleep into the picture

Studies have indicated that each and every function in our bodies is affected by the element of sleep. Imagine that day when you remained up so late and had to wake up so early. How did the day go?

obesity and Insufficient Sleep

Chances are that your day was dragging by. The mood was somber and you did not feel like laughing much. If your job requires it, then you must laugh. Yu must smile, especially when you are a front-line office staff. You do not want to be the cause of really scared customers. You do not want to send them away by a cold face.

The truth is that with insufficient sleep, your mood is highly affected that even though you keep a smile every after a few minutes to keep up with prevailing situations, inside you know just how sickening that faking game is.

In fact most men are not good at this. Women are. So as a man you risk jeopardizing your very job when you miss a sleep.

Focus on teens

You are grown up and you feel that way when you miss your sleep. Now, for a moment try to imagine how the same manifests itself in teenagers. To them, the risks associated with the lack of sleep are far more severe and not just a mere temporary gloom.

Studies in this area have indicated that young persons with sleep problems suffer a lot of medical mal-conditions. They may experience frequent allergies, hearing problems and infections of the ear. And just like you the adult, they too will likely suffer emotional and social problems.

Among these teens, there is a close relationship between sleep loss and diabetes, but most seriously, obesity.

This happens in a number of ways. It can trigger unregulated production of hormones responsible for hunger and appetite. The kids begin to eat without limit and before you know it, their weight explode beyond the accepted limits.

Obesity can also be as a result of irregular behavior of the growth hormone. This hormone is usually produced in high levels during deep sleep. This implies that if the child fails to attain such a level of sleep then chances are that his or her growth may be affected.

The substance responsible for boosting of one’s immunity, interleukin-1, is usually released during sleep. Take away that sleep and you are working against the child’s immunity. This way chances of them getting depressed or stressed are high. As has been noted before, stress and depression are some of the severe causes of obesity.

Teenagers and Insufficient Sleep: The Obesity risk

Breathe Easier with Bromelain

November 8, 2014

Breathe Easier with Bromelain

A mixture of several enzymes that are naturally found in pineapple juice and its stem, Bromelain, has been found to treat successfully a wide variety of disorders that are responsible for other severe diseases. This proteolytic enzyme is held as being useful in the digestion of proteins.

Some of this proteolytic enzyme is said to be absorbed by the body without being broken or processed into a different form. Because of this characteristic the enzyme is believed to have other effects outside the gastrointestinal tract.

What is most important though is not these behavioral aspects. Rather, its curative nature is what really matters. Medicinal assessments have recommended it as an organic anti-inflammatory used for various conditions including arthritis.

In Germany, Bromelain is also one of the commonest supplements sanctioned by the E Commission for dealing with swelling and distension of the nose as well as the sinuses that come as a result of surgery or other forms of injury.

It is from this perspective that Bromelain comes out as being highly useful in helping people with breathing related issues. One may use the enzyme to help alleviate the effects of these nasal inflammations and this way their breathing is expressly improved.

Sinusitis

Inflammation of a person’s nasal sinus may be treated by the use of Bromelain. It has been recommended by doctors in different parts of the globe as a corresponding treatment for patients of Sinusitis.

Bromelain

From preliminary medical studies, doctors say that it is helpful in reducing congestion of the chest which eventually improves breathing and suppresses coughing. Commission E approves of it as a good alternative for dealing with nasal swellings and inflammations that remain after one has been operated on. The approval is supported by a hoard of previous studies which indicate that the enzyme may bring relief from symptoms of sinusitis.

Other areas

Given that Bromelain is an enzyme it helps with the digestion proteins. As we know, breathing is not purely about inhaling and exhaling through our noses. A lot of other factors come into play in effecting a perfect gaseous exchange. Bromelain therefore comes in handy to help with cases of bloating that could prevent one from enjoying a free flow of breath.

The enzyme helps with a number of digestive related symptoms including excessive gas in the stomach and conditions like the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is effective used alone but can always be used together with other enzymes of similar purposes such as the lipase which help in digestion of fats. Another enzyme it can be used with is the amylase which digests starch in the body.

Bromelain forms

The enzyme can always be taken in the form of capsules or tablets. The pineapple extract is processed and made into these forms for ready use just like other medicines. As a digestive aid though, it is often taken together with meals, but is recommended to be ingested in between meals when the purpose is to treat inflammatory conditions as this will optimize chances of absorption.

Breathe Easier with Bromelain

Garlic- A medicinal miracle

November 8, 2014

Garlic- A medicinal miracle

Garlic, a member of the onions family, is allegedly the second oldest medicine in the world. And, it is one of the most treasured foods on planet Earth.

Garlic, the white food spice has been in use for several decades as a cure for a variety of diseases and ailments. Of course a better part of the world population do not have the slightest clue of the exact value of this medicinal culinary component. They only recognize it as a valuable spice that brings that awesome aroma to several dishes.

That is to say that the majority of these world populations are yet to make full exploitation of the range of uses of this form of onion. Achieving that may however take more than just a simple statement on this article. Mass sensitization efforts may have to come into play.

Garlic is a powerful stimulant for the immune system in addition to being a natural antibiotic. One can take garlic in its raw state or when cooked. It can be eaten in form of supplement or be used in preparing garlic oil.

garlic

The range of garlic uses is wide. It has vastly been used to cure colds as an active decongestant. In this line it works as an antibacterial, anti-asthmatic and an antidepressant. In addition, it is an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic as well as an antifungal.

Garlic is also good for treatment of coughs as an antiviral, antispasmodic and diuretic. Its raw form works as a potent organic antibiotic good in fighting bacterial infections, killing several viruses and parasites.

It is useful in detoxification of the body and prevention of diseases by improving the immune system. As such, it helps reduce the chances of experiencing a heart attack or stroke. It also has a variety of antioxidants and other compounds good in prevention of cancer.

Doctors recommend garlic for the treatment of asthma and several allergies, anxiety, Alzheimer’s disease, athlete’s foot, diabetes, earaches and diarrhea. That is not all. The list of diseases and disorders treated by garlic is quite long. It is a remedy for patients of herpes, cardiovascular disease, intestinal illnesses, sore throat, warts and infections of the urinary tract.

Garlic

Summative as it may sound, garlic is good for almost every kind of disease. It has been proven effective with treating diseases of different varieties. From fungal infections to viral diseases, stomach cancer to colon cancer.

These healing abilities of the garlic are attributed to the many useful compounds it has. It contains a lot of sulfur compounds and this is one factor that is responsible for its immense curative nature. It has a lot of nutritional and mineral components- from allicin to allyldisulfides, copper to calcium, germanium to essential oils, iron to magnesium, phosphorus to manganese, phytoncides to potassium, sulfur to selenium, and zinc to unsaturated aldehydes. It also has Vitamin A, Vitamin B2, B1 and Vitamin C.

Consumption methods for Garlic

There are indeed many alternative ways of taking garlic. You can drink it like tea, you can take it in the form of an ointment or eaten in different food varieties. The product can also be made into some volatile form that is then inhaled or mashed on.

Garlic can usually be extracted to form an odorless tablet or capsule or oil known as Kyolic. These are taken into the body easily through mere ingestion.

When rubbed on parts affected by arthritis it helps alleviate pain. Eating it with food may also directly kill worms in the intestines. Oil obtained from garlic may also cure sinus infections when snorted into the nostrils of the patient.

Garlic- A medicinal miracle

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Eating Clean Seasonally

November 7, 2014

Eating Clean Seasonally

It is general knowledge that we all ought to live healthier lives by observing certain uncomplicated dietary rules. These are things we do not have to be taught. We just know through simple intuition that taking excess sugar is unhealthy, consuming too much fat can be fatal in the long run, eating excessive salt could cause life threatening diseases like diabetes among others.

We hear these things every day. We meet these warnings almost everywhere we go. Yet, it is very much obvious that most youths around the world continue to take processed foods that are high in sugar, cholesterol and salt.

You find the head of a family suffering from diabetes. He no longer takes tea with sugar. Oftentimes we would assume that that is a close lesson for the rest of the family that are still healthy to take caution when approaching the amounts of these nutritional contents as found in their daily regimens.

Yet that is not the case. The youngster in the same family still views the father’s case as an old man’s destiny; something far from their own course. So the girl of the house proceeds to observe a portion of fries in her daily routine and the boy keeps on with his double-the-required-amount of sugar for his everyday tea.

clean eating diet

The results? Teenage vulnerability. Even if they do not directly begin to suffer the ultimate diseases such as diabetes, they often experience a variety of ulcers and other frequent disorders. Chances are that even after starting to suffer such ailments these young folks still find it hard to change course and observe healthier diets.

Stubborn generation

It is not sufficient to say that the youth are the people who do not eat clean diets. That would actually be preposterous. Yes there might be difficulty establishing a clear-cut age line separating youth from adulthood. But we can seek logic to help us go about this topic. It is not decent language to refer to some married fellow with a family in his mid-thirties as youth! In my view that is just not good.

These are the people who are highly affected, second only to the teenagers. At this age you find that the person is stably employed or is running some successful business. Money is not a problem. So what does he do?

Out he goes every evening after work to drink with colleagues; members of the same age bracket. They drink a lot of vodka and eat roasted meat. As a routine. Surrounded by a bunch of willing ladies who take shifts for different days.

Another breed also take beer as a staple food. They let their bellies develop into a pot and get proud of it. Then they do no exercise to burn the excess fats and cholesterol.

What then will contrast this generation of people from that of the teenagers who do not have much money but get enough for their daily fast foods? Bottom line: both have inappropriate eating habits.

Clean-Eating

Eating clean

What then does eating clean entail? Of course there are certain world cultures that observe healthy eating habits. This is why you will seldom find overweight people in Japan. Their diet is highly comprised of sea foods and vegetables and just like the Chinese, food to them is majorly regarded from a healing perspective.

This is in contrast to the Western, and specifically American culture where most of the food that make their diet consist of processed materials, candy, fried foodstuffs or soda that are basically low in nutrients.

The Mediterranean is another region that can be said to observe safe eating styles throughout the seasons. Diet here majorly comprises of green vegetables in large quantities, nuts, fresh fruits, beans and varieties of fish. From a health perspective such diets contain healthy antioxidants and the beta-carotene which are the best for disease prevention.

Generally speaking then, we all need to try pursuing some form of traditional eating lifestyles seasonally in order to stay healthier. Diets that are enriched with fruit varieties, vegetables, lean proteins and natural oils may just be the ideal culinary composition for the contemporary mankind.

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