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What is Homeopathy and How Does It Work?

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homeopathy

By D. Woodliffe   

The term ‘homoeopathy’ refers to a range of natural, alternative, or complementary forms of medicine.

Since way back in the 1700s, homoeopathy has been used to treat ailments from A to Z, from asthma to yeast overgrowth. In general, homoeopaths believe that the right treatments can harness our natural ability to overcome illness without drugs and their side effects.

Stay tuned as we explore some of the different types of illnesses or conditions that may benefit from homoeopathy, alongside some natural remedies, as well as answers to some commonly asked questions.

What is homoeopathy & how does it work?

Homoeopathic medicine is a form of natural therapy. It has two major principles: ‘like cures like’ and ‘the law of minimum dose’.

  • Like cures like: This is the theory that a substance that causes similar symptoms in healthy people can help treat someone who is suffering from these symptoms.
  • The law of minimum dose: This is the idea that the more diluted the remedy is, or the lower the dose of the healing substance in it, the more potent it is. Very diluted amounts of the remedy trigger a healing response.

Homoeopaths believe that they can use these principles and practices to help stimulate the body to heal itself. While the remedies are well known for being made from plants and herbs, they can also be crafted from minerals or animal sources.

When consulting with a homoeopath, they will likely evaluate you as any practicing doctor would. The difference is they may also assess more aspects of your life, alongside the physical complaints. They do this to ensure they get a complete picture of your overall health to prescribe a tailored treatment plan.

What common ailments might homoeopathy treat?

It is believed that homoeopathy can treat all the same illnesses and diseases as conventional medicine. However, as most homoeopaths aim to treat the person and not the disease, the solution and recommended treatment will vary from person to person.

It’s a good practice to consult with your general doctor before attempting any new homoeopathic treatments as you’ll want to make sure it won’t impact any conventional medication you are taking.

The following are some general homeopathic remedies for certain conditions.

Hayfever

Many believe that homoeopathic remedies offer an effective solution to managing hayfever symptoms. From runny noses to eye irritation, some commonly recommended remedies include:

  • Allium Cepam (onion)
  • Sabadilla
  • Euphrasia
  • Nux Vomica
  • Pulsatilla

Hayfever can worsen if you live in a rural or pollen-rich area, so visiting a local practitioner may help as they might have some remedies based on the locational environment.

Acid reflux

Acid reflux and heartburn can cause unpleasant sensations in the chest and stomach. While most of us have experienced this movement of stomach acid from time to time after eating a heavy meal, some suffer from chronic heartburn. Homoeopathic treatments often include:

  • Iris Versicolor
  • Robinia
  • Arsenicum album
  • Natrum Phos
  • Nux Vomica

Thyroid conditions

An underactive thyroid can have a large impact on our health and wellness. It basically means the thyroid is not producing enough hormones to help manage a person’s metabolic rate and this can cause tiredness and weight gain. Homoeopathic treatments often include:

  • Calcarea Carbonia
  • Sepia Officinalis
  • Graphites
  • Nux Vomica
  • Lycopodium Clavatum

Diabetes

Diabetes is a blood sugar condition where the body either attacks the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas, or the body does not generate enough insulin to begin with. The latter is the most common form of diabetes and there are homeopathic remedies that may be able to help:

  • Gymnema
  • Conium
  • Hemlock
  • Phosphoric Acid
  • Calendula

Any remedies should be taken in combination with healthy eating and regular exercise for the most effective results. It’s important to note that there is no homeopathic substitute for insulin and there are few human studies on the effectiveness, so consult your doctor for advice.

Healthy Diet and Exercise

Eating healthy foods and doing regular exercise such as walking and stretching, should accompany any homeopathic treatment program.  This is vital for general overall improved health and when taking any kind of remedy or medicine.

Healthy foods include whole, single foods such as vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, poultry, eggs, nuts, seeds, yams, potatoes, and healthy oils like olive and coconut oil. Especially leafy greens, salmon and other fish.

Highly processed foods to avoid are chips, cookies, candy, ice cream, fast foods and processed meats.

What is Reflexology?

Commonly associated with homoeopathy, reflexology is another form of natural treatment with a similar holistic approach.  It takes the entirety of the person’s symptoms and their lifestyle habits into account.

Reflexology works by applying pressure to specific points located in the feet, hands, or ears with the belief that each point is connected to a wider system in the body. It’s a form of traditional Chinese medicine and is often used in conjunction with homoeopathy to restore energy flow throughout the body.

Can you make your own homoeopathic remedies?

Most homoeopaths do not recommend that you attempt to make remedies at home, as some compounds can be dangerous without proper handling and dilution. Not only that, but the dilution process itself is highly methodical and precise. It’s also hard to determine what might work best for your ailment, so it’s always worth contacting a professional before attempting treatment.

If you have worked with a homeopathic doctor or completed a similar homoeopathic treatment cycle before, there are safe and easy to use homoeopathic remedies available online or in your local health food store.

Just remember, if you think you have a health condition or illness that you need relief from, you should always visit your homeopathic health provider and general doctor in the first instance for an initial diagnosis.

Homoeopathy offers gentle, natural solutions and has been practiced around the world for hundreds of years.

This health news is shared by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the original calcium and magnesium based sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, and Joints and More, a natural supplement for joint relief, less aches and pains, and more energy.

Is Eating Organic Food Really Worth It?

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organicMany people may have wondered whether organic foods are really worth the trouble to find, buy and eat.

When we speak about organic food, we refer to a set of agricultural practices followed in the entire process to produce the food including growing, harvesting, processing, and storage.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set the USDA Organic Standards and organic producers must comply with them to label their food products as USDA organic. In essence, this means that the following are not used in organic foods.

  • No synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or herbicides (pesticides control pests, fertilizers supply plant nutrients, and herbicides control unwanted plants)
  • No use of antibiotics
  • No use of growth hormones or other stimulants
  • No genetically modified substances (ingredients in which genetic materials are altered)

The difference between organic and non-organic foods

Though visually there is very little or no difference between organic and non-organic foods, organic foods offer better safety profiles (a lower likelihood of adverse effects in the body), with superior nutritional values compared to non-organic ones.

The most prevalent differences between organic and non-organic foods are that foods produced through conventional methods have higher levels of pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics that may lead to some unfavorable effects on the human body.  These include hormonal imbalances, neurological problems and a weakened immune response. Whereas, organic foods either do not contain these materials or have very small amounts.

Why organic food is better for you

Organic food offers many benefits ranging from health perspectives to environmental concerns. Organic farming practices improve the soil health and its fertility on a long-term basis. Biodiversity is a word that means “a variety of life in a place including animals, plants, and various microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.” The methods used in organic farming help maintain ecological balance and biodiversity by encouraging wildlife.

Organic foods provide various health benefits since they have lower levels of toxic chemicals such as pesticides and higher levels of certain nutrients like vitamins and minerals. Multiple studies have concluded that organic food items provide significantly greater levels of phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and vitamin C compared to regular varieties of the same foods.

A 2010 review published in the Alternative Medicine Review concluded that foods and vegetables grown organically show greater antioxidant activity.  Antioxidants are compounds that can prevent cell-damaging chemical reactions caused by oxygen molecules.

Organic foods also help inhibit the activity of toxic compounds such as pesticide residues. Scientists have also found clear health benefits of organic dairy products in reducing allergic dermatitis in their review (1).

Animal protein and dairy products: conventional vs organic

In conventionally produced animal proteins and dairy products such as meats, poultry, fish, eggs, and milk, producers routinely use different types of antibiotics and growth hormones to speed up the entire process of production so that they can meet the large-scale market demands.

On the other hand, organic animal proteins and dairy products are produced through organic methods with no antibiotics or growth hormones and thus, these organic products provide better safety and health benefits than their conventional counterparts.

Organic animal foods are sourced from those animals that have access to outdoors and pasture feeding and grow in more healthy living conditions. Therefore, these organic foods contain higher levels of natural nutrients that are more beneficial for humans than non-organic foods.

Conventional meat vs grass-fed meat vs organic meat

Conventional meat – Steroid hormones such as estrogen are often given to animals to increase the production of meat. Though the hormone levels are somewhat low, extra steroids may increase the susceptibility of harm in certain people, especially in pregnant women and elderly people.

In addition, antibiotics may also be used in conventional farming to accelerate growth in livestock. Using antibiotics may enhance the risk of developing drug-resistant bacteria in livestock and may be transmitted to humans through meats. Drug-resistant bacteria are those bacteria that become resistant to drugs such as antibiotics, making it difficult to treat infections caused by them.

Grass-fed meat – Grass-fed meats come from animals that ate mostly grass particularly for at least four months during the grazing season. Grass-fed meats are technically organic meats and considered more nutritious with lower levels of fat and higher levels of antioxidants, especially omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are a group of fat molecules that are considered good fats and offer many health benefits in the human body.

Organic meat – Organic meats are derived from animals that are grown according to the USDA organic livestock regulations. Organic meats come from animals that are not given growth hormones and antibiotics.

A review of 67 studies published in the British Journal of Nutrition showed organic meats have higher levels of omega 3 fatty acids than conventional meats and the levels of saturated fats are lower than the conventional ones (2).

Why organic foods may be more expensive and which ones to buy inexpensively

In general, organic foods may cost a bit more than their regular counterparts that are grown conventionally. This is mainly because of the labor-intensive agricultural practices organic food producers use to follow to produce their organic products.

Farmers must use physical, biological, and mechanical methods instead of pesticides to control pests, weeds, and diseases when growing organic crops. When it comes to dairy products and meats, animals that are raised organically are not given any growth hormones or steroids that can increase the production, resulting in less production and higher charges accordingly because farmers don’t have as much to sell.

There are many organic foods that can be purchased inexpensively. Some examples of inexpensive organic foods would include dry beans, tea, frozen fruit, frozen vegetables, potatoes, spices and soups. In addition, buying the store-brand or generic brand of organic products is often a great way to save money and get all the organic food benefits.

Understanding the dirty dozen and clean fifteen foods

Everyone wants to use their budget wisely when it comes to buying organic foods. Fruits and vegetables are always among the most popular organic lines because of their nutritional values.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a US-based nonprofit organization, releases an annual assessment list of twelve foods containing the most pesticides called “the dirty dozen foods”, and fifteen foods containing the least pesticides called “the clean fifteen foods”.

For the “dirty dozen” foods containing the most pesticides, it’s a good choice to buy the organic versions of these in order to avoid any harmful effects.

According to the EWG’s shopper’s guide to pesticides in produce, here is the full list of the dirty dozen foods for 2021

  1. Strawberries
  2. Spinach
  3. Kale, collard, and mustard greens
  4. Nectarines
  5. Apples
  6. Grapes
  7. Cherries
  8. Peaches
  9. Pears
  10. Bell and hot peppers
  11. Celery
  12. Tomatoes

And here is the full list of the clean fifteen foods for 2021

  1. Avocados
  2. Sweet corn
  3. Pineapple
  4. Onions
  5. Papaya
  6. Sweet peas (frozen)
  7. Eggplant
  8. Asparagus
  9. Broccoli
  10. Cabbage
  11. Kiwi
  12. Cauliflower
  13. Mushrooms
  14. Honeydew melon
  15. Cantaloupe

Summary of Organic Food Benefits

Whether we consider the nutritional values of organic foods or not, avoiding pesticide and antibiotic exposure is important since they may lead to various health issues. Organic foods are the only choice to lessen the exposure to these.

Therefore, with the growing concern over toxic chemical compounds in food products, in addition to the higher nutritional quality of organic foods, these foods are truly better for protecting and enhancing one’s health. Yes, organic food is better for you.

References:

  1. Crinnion, Walter J. “Organic Foods Contain Higher Levels of Certain Nutrients, Lower Levels of Pesticides, and May Provide Health Benefits for the Consumer.” Alternative Medicine Review: A Journal of Clinical Therapeutic, vol. 15, no. 1, 1 Apr. 2010, pp. 4–12, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20359265/.
  2. Średnicka-Tober, Dominika, et al. “Composition Differences between Organic and Conventional Meat: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.” British Journal of Nutrition, vol. 115, no. 6, 16 Feb. 2016, pp. 994–1011, 1017/s0007114515005073.
  3. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2012/03/22/organic-101-what-usda-organic-label-means‌
  4. https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/

The Top 7 Foods for Beautiful Skin

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Hello from Jobee at Nutrition Breakthroughs,

Today’s video (below) will reveal the top 7 foods for glorious, glowing skin at any age.

High quality proteins from organic, grass-fed and wild-caught sea sources will provide the building blocks for healthy skin.

Drinking plenty of fresh, filtered water hydrates the skin and smooths wrinkles and lines.

Healthy fats such as avocado, salmon and nuts provide moisture and healing properties.

Raw vegetables and leafy greens can turn back the clock for our skin, as well as many other areas of our health.

Enjoy the video!

Jobee Knight
Nutrition Breakthroughs
Maker of Sleep Minerals II and Joints and More

True Story #1: How Nutrition Breakthroughs Started

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nutrition breakthroughsGreetings to you,

This is Jobee Knight from Nutrition Breakthroughs. Thanks for being a reader of the natural health discoveries I share.  Today I have a different story to share with you.

It’s the true story of how Nutrition Breakthroughs started.  Let me know what you think of it!

My journey into the natural health field began a couple of decades ago when I was the public relations director for a computer software company.

I was always writing press releases about our latest software version and what a “breakthrough” it was and how fantastic its great new features were.

I had always been interested in nutrition and had experienced great benefits from eating good foods and taking natural supplements.  It was amazing to me that a supplement could have such beneficial effects.

I decided I would create a website called “Nutrition Breakthroughs”, similar to all the computer “breakthroughs” I had been writing about.

Nutrition Breakthroughs would have easy to understand articles about natural remedies that worked and actually helped people to improve their health.

It would also provide natural supplements that would be so effective, people would not need to turn to drugs for relief and would heal naturally.

So I bought my first computer on credit, bought an easy website designer on the internet, put up the website, and Nutrition Breakthroughs was born!

So far, it has lived up to it’s original vision with its natural health articles and effective supplements for better sleep and pain-free joints.

So now it’s your turn! I would love to hear from you. Is there something you have always wanted to do in your life to improve your career or your health, but haven’t known which steps to take to bring it into reality?

Send me an email at info@nutritionbreakthroughs.com. I check this inbox myself and I may not reply to each message, but I do read each one.  It helps me to provide good information that is of interest.

Here’s to your good health, good sleep and long life.

Jobee Knight
Nutrition Breakthroughs
Maker of Sleep Minerals II and Joints and More

4 Great Health Tips and ‘Joints and More’ Now on Amazon

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Joints and MoreGreetings to you,

It’s Jobee at Nutrition Breakthroughs. Hope you and your family are staying healthy and doing good.

Today I’m happy to announce that our newest product ‘Joints and More‘ is available on Amazon. It helps with joint pain, stiffness, allergies, increasing energy and more. See some reviews for it below.

In the mean time, here are four select health tips for increasing your good health and well-being:

1. Choose healthy foods and increase vegetables and fruits that you enjoy. Eat healthy, preferably organic proteins such as grass-fed meat, wild Alaskan salmon and organic eggs.

2. Take a walk each day or a couple of short walks. This supports virtually every organ and system in your body to stay strong. Walking is also proven to help good sleep and remedy insomnia.

3. Take supplements that suit you. Some options are fish oil for reducing inflammation and supporting the eyes and brain. Another one is MSM to remedy joint pain, stiffness and aches, and also ease allergies and increase energy.

4. To reduce stress, take breaks to do artistic or creative things that you enjoy. When communicating with others, express things in a positive, upbeat way.

And now, a drum roll for the new product announcement. Our newest product “Joints health tips and More” with pure MSM is now available on Amazon.

Here are a couple of reviews for it:

R. Boulos of Houston, TX. says: “I’ve been taking the Joints and More supplement and it’s helping a great deal. After taking it twice a day, I notice that when I wake up in the morning the joint pain I was having in my front and back shoulders is almost gone.”

C. Drozdowski says: “After about a month of starting to take Joints and More my hair began growing like crazy. I figured if my hair was growing that fast, then maybe my nails would also. So I took my fake nails off and for the first time in my entire nail-biting life I have MY OWN nails! They are getting stronger with each passing week.”

To your good health,

Jobee Knight
Nutrition Breakthroughs

The Top Five Major Health Benefits of Yogurt

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benefits of yogurtGreetings to you,

Can yogurt actually help with better sleep, weight loss, bone strength and immunity?  Read on to find out!

Yogurt’s healthy bacteria are known as probiotics. The benefits of yogurt include helping with good sleep, assisting weight loss, improving digestion, reducing risk of diabetes, lowering cholesterol and stimulating a stronger immune system.  Here are some of the studies:

Yogurt for Stomach Health

One study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming yogurt or the beneficial bacteria from it, has promising health benefits for many conditions and increases the body’s immunity and ability to fight off infections. A variety of conditions were shown to improve including constipation, diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, candida, stomach bacteria infections and allergies.

Bone Strength from Yogurt

A study on yogurt was published in the journal “Archives of Osteoporosis”. It reviewed the ability of yogurt to strengthen bones and found that milk and yogurt are the best dairy choices for increasing bone mineral density in the hip.

Yogurt and Good Sleep

Yogurt is also a great choice to eat in the evening to help with sleep due to the high amount of calcium it contains. The beneficial bacteria in yogurt has also been studied for its ability to create a deeper, longer-lasting sleep.

A 2017 study from the journal “Beneficial Microbes” tested the benefits of yogurt probiotics on the quality of sleep.  The researchers concluded: “These findings suggest that daily consumption of the Lactobacillus casei strain may help to maintain sleep quality during a period of increasing stress.”  As a note, this particular strain is included in virtually all of the most popular yogurt brands.

Regarding the calcium in dairy products, William Sears, M.D. writes: “Calcium helps the brain use the amino acid tryptophan to manufacture the sleep-inducing substance melatonin. This explains why dairy products, which contain both tryptophan and calcium, are one of the top sleep-inducing foods.”

Plain, unsweetened yogurt is healthiest and Greek yogurt is a great, high-protein choice. Fresh fruit can be added as a natural sweetener.

Yogurt and Weight Loss

Yogurt is a boost to weight loss. A healthy supplement similar to the acidophilus used in yogurt was recently found in a Canadian study to help overweight women lose weight and keep it off.  It was discovered that the supplement made the intestinal wall stronger and more able to prevent inflammatory, obesity-causing substances from passing into the intestine and entering the bloodstream.

Immunity Boosting Yogurt

Yogurt is great for strengthening and boosting one’s immunity against infection and illness per studies in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.  In particular, yogurt with the Lactobacillus bulgaricus form has been shown to reduce the frequency of colds in older adults after they ate it over a twelve-week period.  This is another commonly used form of probiotic that’s widely-available in yogurts.

This news is shared with you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, a provider of natural health articles and effective natural remedies since 2001. Nutrition Breakthroughs makes the original calcium and magnesium based natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, as well as Joints and More, the natural solution for joint relief, aches and pains, stronger hair and nails, and more energy.

For More Info on Sleep Minerals II Visit Here

Studies Show Olive Oil for Sleep and Strong Bones

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olive oil for sleepStudies are showing that olive oil is beneficial for many aspects of our health.

Olive oil can help strengthen the heart, support normal blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and can calm inflammation. 

The oil assists with good sleep, supports the brain, and may prevent strokes.  Stiff joints and arthritis can also be relieved with olive oil, especially when combined with fish oil (per Healthline.com).

Regarding olive oil for sleep, a recent study appeared in a journal that writes about the health of older people.  This study included 1,639 people and found that eating a Mediterranean type diet improves the quality of sleep in older adults.  The Mediterranean diet includes foods such as fruit, vegetables, olive oil, fish, nuts, seeds and whole grains. 

Olive oil is a key component of this way of eating – a tradition that has developed in the European countries that surround the Mediterranean Sea.

Those in the study that didn’t adhere to the Mediterranean diet as well, had poorer sleep quality. The adults in the study that followed the diet more closely reaped the following benefits: More sound sleep through the night, falling asleep more quickly, feeling well rested when they woke up and during the day, and they were happy about the amount of sleep they got overall.

Olive oil has also been proven to help bone strength.  According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation: “Osteoporosis and low bone mass are currently estimated to be a major public health threat for almost 44 million women and men aged 50 and older in the USA.”

A recent study from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health has discovered that olives, olive oil and their potent plant nutrients called “polyphenols”, have a high potential for strengthening bones and preventing osteoporosis. Human research shows that daily consumption of olive oil can prevent a decline in bone mineral density. 

Some good ways to eat olive oil is to use it in salad dressings and on vegetables, rub it on meat and fish before cooking to keep it moist, use it instead of butter in sauces and gravies, spread it on fresh bread, and saute or cook food with it.

This natural health news is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs, a publisher of nutrition articles and supplier of natural remedies since 2002. Nutrition Breakthroughs makes Sleep Minerals II, the effective natural sleep aid with calcium, magnesium, zinc and vitamin D. 

The company also makes Joints and More, the natural solution for joint relief, aches and pains, stronger hair and nails and more energy.

Olive oil for sleep?

Regarding olive oil for sleep, a recent study of 1,639 people found that eating a Mediterranean type diet high in olive oil improves the quality of sleep. This diet includes foods such as fruit, vegetables, olive oil, fish, nuts, seeds and whole grains. The people in the study who ate this way were able to fall asleep faster, sleep longer and wake up refreshed.

Is olive oil good for osteoporosis?

A recent study from the International Journal of Environmental Research has discovered that olives, olive oil and their potent plant nutrients have a high potential for strengthening bones and preventing osteoporosis. Human research reveals that daily consumption of olive oil can prevent a decline in bone mineral density. 

What are health benefits of olive oil?

Olive oil can help strengthen the heart, support normal blood pressure and blood sugar levels and can calm inflammation.  It assists with good sleep, supports the brain and may prevent strokes.  Stiff joints and arthritis can also be relieved with olive oil, especially when combined with fish oil

Stevia Health Benefits: 0 Calorie Sweetener is an Antiviral and Immune Booster

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stevia health benefits
Stevia Health Benefits

Wouldn’t it be great if there were a natural plant-based sweetener with zero calories that actually improved our health?

Many people would prefer to avoid eating a lot of white sugar as it affects everything from weight, to teeth, to immunity, to the health of our organs.

Although in the world of sugar substitutes, many of the options are artificial sweeteners made in the laboratory such as Equal (aspartame), Splenda (sucralose) and SweetNLow (saccharin – which is a coal tar derivative).

A recent study published in a medical journal that writes about metabolism reported that diet soda drinkers suffer with the same health problems as those who opt for regular sugared soda, including weight gain, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

At the same time that studies are discovering more and more health problems are from consuming artificial sweeteners, one natural option – the Stevia plant – is collecting positive research outcomes for stevia health benefits. It’s a South American plant from the same family that includes chrysanthemums and sunflowers. Honey is also natural, but it contains very concentrated sugars that can cause cells to store fat.

Stevioside is the natural extract from stevia leaves that gives it its sweetness. Stevia extract can taste 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar, with one teaspoon equaling a whole cup of sugar. Very small amounts go a long way. One good thing is that Stevia is not absorbed well into the stomach and when it passes through the body, there is no accumulation of it.

The cells of the pancreas receive a healing effect from stevia. A study in the journal “Metabolism” found that stevioside reduced blood sugar levels after meals in type 2 diabetic patients. Regarding high blood pressure, one study in a British medical journal gave participants with high blood pressure stevia capsules for a year. The researchers concluded it is a well tolerated and an effective alternative therapy.

In a test tube study from the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal, stevia was shown to be an effective antiviral substance that worked as a blockade to prevent a virus from attaching to other cells. Researchers proved that stevia inhibited the reproduction of the Teschen disease virus (a virus in animals) and the human Coronavirus. Other stevia health benefits include inhibiting the growth of oral bacteria, which makes it a good ingredient for mouthwashes, toothpastes and bleeding gums.

Stevia is available as fresh or dried leaves, as a powdered extract or as drops. Its health benefits are best realized when the whole plant is used to make the extract. Truvia (made by Coca-Cola) and PureVia (made by PepsiCo) contain only portions of the active ingredients, not the entire plant. So look for stevia or stevioside amounts when purchasing this natural sweetener.

This news is brought to you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, providing natural health articles and effective natural remedies since 2002.  Learn more about the Sleep Minerals II and Joints and More products made by Nutrition Breakthroughs.

What health benefits does stevia have?

In a test tube study from the journal “Antiviral Research”, stevia was shown to be an effective antiviral substance that worked as a blockade to prevent a virus from attaching to other cells. The cells of the pancreas receive a healing effect from stevia. A study in the journal “Metabolism” found that stevioside reduced blood sugar levels after meals in type 2 diabetic patients.

Is stevia good for you or bad for you?

Stevia is a natural, plant-based sweetener that may actually be good for our health. It is collecting positive research outcomes for conditions like high blood sugar and high blood pressure. It can also act as an effective antiviral and antibacterial substance.

MSM for Hair Growth, Stronger Nails, Smoother Skin: Studies

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msm for hair growthMillions of people worldwide would like to have stronger, longer, more brilliant looking hair and nails. 

There are very few nutritional supplements supported by research studies showing they help hair growth and nail strength, but MSM for hair growth is one of them.

According to the book “The Miracle of MSM” by doctors Jacob and Lawrence, “MSM is one-third sulfur and sulfur has the reputation for being nature’s ‘beauty mineral’ for keeping the hair healthy and the complexion youthful.”

MSM sulfur (methyl-sulphonyl-methane) is a white, odorless, water-soluble element found in nature and in foods such as milk, fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood and meat. It is especially high in eggs, onions, garlic, asparagus and broccoli.  Sulfur has a long tradition of healing and throughout history, doctors have prescribed mineral hot springs rich in sulfur to their ill patients.  Food processing methods such as heating, washing and freezing, all deplete MSM in foods, making daily replenishment beneficial.

While MSM is best known for its arthritis and pain relieving benefits, it also helps to form keratin, which is the main protein found in hair, nails and skin.  The ‘beauty mineral’ study was published in Total Health Magazine and was named: “MSM – Increased Hair Growth, Nail Length and Nail Thickness”.  It was conducted by Ronald M. Lawrence, M.D.

Dr. Lawrence says: “We completed a placebo-controlled trial over the course of six weeks showing that 100 percent of the subjects on MSM had increased hair growth, compared to the group on placebo. 30 percent of the subjects on MSM showed improvement in hair brilliance, while none of the subjects on placebo showed such an improvement.”

The hair trial involved a total of 21 patients; 16 women and 5 men. Data was collected by certified cosmetologists under the doctor’s direction. The trial measurements included hair length, brilliance, and diameter of the individual hair shafts using industry standard measurement scales. All subjects that supplemented with MSM were impressed with the changes in the health and appearance of their hair. The cosmetologists could literally see which participants had taken MSM for hair growth by the appearance of their hair alone after six weeks of use.

A second placebo-controlled trial, conducted simultaneously, showed that 50 percent of the subjects on MSM showed increased their nail length, nail strength, and nail thickness compared to the group on placebo. Dr. Lawrence says: ”Based on the results of the two trials, we concluded that oral supplementation with MSM is a valuable addition to hair and nail growth. Hair and nail health was significantly improved in a short term of six weeks.”

One example of a natural remedy that contains all the benefits of MSM is Joints and More from Nutrition Breakthroughs.  Joints and More is made from “organic” sulfur (meaning coming from living things) and is a 99% pure, simple molecule, indistinguishable from a molecule of MSM found in nature.

Stanley Jacob, M.D. the co-discoverer and ‘Father of MSM’ says: “MSM is a surprising supplement.  When you start taking it, you may notice a number of good things happening in your life in addition to natural pain relief, natural joint relief, and allergy relief – such as more energy, cosmetic benefits such as softer skin, thicker hair and stronger nails; as well as decreased scar tissue and relief of constipation.”

For more information, visit the Joints and More web page.

Can MSM be used for hair growth?

Yes it can. The ‘beauty mineral’ study was published in Total Health Magazine and was named: “MSM – Increased Hair Growth, Nail Length and Nail Thickness”. It was conducted by Ronald M. Lawrence, M.D. At the end of six weeks of use, the cosmetologists could literally see which participants had taken MSM for hair growth by the appearance of their hair alone.

MSM for hair growth how much to take?

Stanley M. Jacob, M.D. says “It’s best to take MSM during or after meals. Over the years, thousands of patients have experienced healing benefits by taking 2,000 to 8,000 milligrams of MSM a day.” (This would be 2 to 8 capsules containing 1,000 mg. each). Start slowly by taking 1 capsule per day and increase as your tolerance allows. If you overdo it, you may develop stomach discomfort or more frequent, looser stools. Just cut back if this happens. Avoid taking MSM in the evening as it can increase one’s energy.

Chamomile Tea Benefits: Healthier Sleep, Stomach, Skin, Bones, Good Health

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chamomile tea benefitsChamomile flowers are a member of the daisy family, with their bright gold cones that shine in the center of white petals. There are many proven chamomile tea benefits for health.

With more than one million cups of chamomile tea consumed every day and supplements of chamomile capsules, liquid extracts, ointments, and essential oils in wide use, chamomile is one of the most highly used and research-proven medicinal plants.  It has been studied for use with insomnia, heart conditions, colds, inflammation, skin eczema, upset stomach, osteoporosis, anxiety, sore throat, wound healing and more.

Chamomile for Sleep and Insomnia

Chamomile has long been used as a natural sleep aid and insomnia remedy.  The powerful oils contained in its flowers provide a calming effect for sleeplessness, nervousness and anxiety.  In one study, heart patients were given chamomile tea and fell into a deep sleep.  From another study with animals that was done in Japan, calmness and relaxation were increased and the time needed to fall asleep was significantly reduced.  Another study showed that chamomile greatly reduces anxiety and increases well-being.

Stomach Conditions Helped by Chamomile

Chamomile is one of the main “go to” herbs for digestive disorders like upset stomach, ulcers, diarrhea and gas.  It helps to relax muscle contractions, particularly in the smooth muscles that make up the intestines.  In one journal study from Switzerland, the herbal combination of iberis (an herb in the cabbage family), peppermint and chamomile were shown to be effective in the treatment of stomach indigestion, irritation and inflammation.

Eczema and Skin Conditions

Inflammation of the skin is widely treated and remedied by topical chamomile preparations.  It has the ability to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and help with eczema and other skin inflammations.  In a European medical journal, a cream with chamomile extract was tested against a hydrocortisone cream.  After a 2-week treatment, the chamomile cream showed a mild superiority in effectiveness over hydrocortisone.

Osteoporosis, Bone Health and Chamomile

In the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, chamomile extract was studied for its ability to prevent the bone loss that can occur as people age.  Chamomile demonstrated the ability to help mineralize bone cells and showed an anti-estrogenic quality.  The researchers noted that this may be due to chamomile having a quality as a possible regulator of excess estrogen in the body.

Calcium and Chamomile – A Winning Duo

Calcium is also directly related to our good sleep. In one study, called “The Nutritional Relationships of Magnesium”, the author notes that the type of insomnia associated with a calcium deficiency causes difficulty with falling asleep.  This same study says that “Muscle cramps associated with a calcium deficiency often occur at night and without exertion.”

In another study published in the European Neurology Journal, researchers found that calcium levels in the body are higher during some of the deepest levels of sleep, such as the rapid eye movement (REM) phase when most dreaming occurs.  This study discovered that disturbances in sleep, especially the absence of REM deep sleep or disturbed REM sleep, are related to a calcium deficiency.

Best Minerals for Sleep: Calcium and Magnesium

One natural insomnia remedy showing good results is Sleep Minerals II from Nutrition Breakthroughs.  This sleep aid contains powerful forms of calcium and magnesium, the best known minerals for relaxation and sleep, as well as for restless leg syndrome, stomach health, teenage insomnia and menopause insomnia.  The ingredients include vitamin D and zinc and are formulated in a softgel with healthy oils, making them more quickly absorbable than tablets or capsules and providing a deeper, longer-lasting sleep.

Kimberly B. of Troy, Michigan says: “I have been taking Sleep Minerals II for about a month now. I have tried everything out there and this supplement is amazing. I have suffered with insomnia for 2 1/2 years. I have also had restless leg syndrome my entire life and this is the first relief I’ve ever had…gone for a month now.”

Richard P. of Parkville, Maryland says: “The Sleep Minerals are making quite a difference.  I was regularly waking up at around 3:00 a.m. and after a few days use my sleep improved quite a lot.  I wake up once a night to go to the bathroom, but the great thing is, I then fall back asleep and sleep several more hours.  This has been a great improvement.”

Summary for Chamomile and Calcium

Anyone who has a strong allergy to plants like daisies or ragweed (with its tiny green flowers) should start with a very small amount of chamomile, whether using it as a tea, supplement or skin ointment.  Most people can gain benefits from chamomile without any reactions.  It is one of nature’s most potent herbs and can help with calming insomnia, anxiety, muscle spasms, PMS, skin inflammations, stomach disorders, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, arthritis and more.

As a first line of defense against sleeplessness and insomnia, chamomile and calcium are good bets.  Coming from the worlds of herbal and mineral sleep aids, they are normally taken safely without addictive qualities or side effects.

This natural health news is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs, a publisher of nutrition articles and supplier of effective natural remedies since 2001. Nutrition Breakthroughs makes Sleep Minerals II, the effective natural sleep aid with calcium, magnesium, zinc and vitamin D, and also Joints and More, the natural solution for joint relief, aches and pains, stronger hair and nails and more energy.

Why does chamomile make you sleepy?

Chamomile has long been used as a natural sleep aid and insomnia remedy. The powerful oils contained in its flowers provide a calming effect for sleeplessness, nervousness and anxiety.  In one study, heart patients were given chamomile tea and fell into a deep sleep.

What are the health benefits of chamomile?

Chamomile is one of the most highly used and research-proven medicinal plants.  It has been studied for use with insomnia, heart conditions, colds, inflammation, skin eczema, upset stomach, osteoporosis, anxiety, sore throat, wound healing and more.

Why is chamomile tea good for you?

Chamomile is one of the main “go to” herbs for digestive disorders like upset stomach, ulcers, diarrhea and gas. It helps to relax muscle contractions, particularly in the smooth muscles that make up the intestines. Chamomile also has the ability to help mineralize bone cells and strengthen bones.