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.
This is Jobee Knight from Nutrition Breakthroughs. Thank you for being a valued reader of the natural health discoveries I share!
This article is #3 in a series that tells the true story of how Nutrition Breakthroughs started and how it’s health articles and supplements came into being.
In the last article I talked about my own struggles with insomnia and how I finally solved it. And also how I came to develop a nutritional product that would help other sleepless people to sleep better.
I had also seen people struggle with joint stiffness and pain that interfered with their lives and activities, so I created a product that remedies this.
Over the last nine years since providing these products, I’ve spoken with customers over the phone and in emails and helped them to do better.
When they need it, I help them to customize the use of the supplements to their own particular needs.
So now, moving forward to the present, Sleep Minerals II and Joints and More are both sold on the Nutrition Breakthroughs website and also on Amazon.
The Amazon’s Choice badge is proudly displayed on the Sleep Minerals II listing with the statement that: “Amazon’s Choice highlights highly rated, well-priced products, available to ship immediately.”
Here’s a sample of some real reviews from real people:
R. Boulos of Houston, TX. says: “I’ve been taking the Joints and More and it’s helping a great deal. After taking it twice a day, I notice that when I wake up in the morning the 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.”
Tammy M. of Meridian, Idaho says: “I was plagued with insomnia for five years and desperate for a breakthrough. Nothing has helped me more than Sleep Minerals — I’m so sold on them I could go door to door promoting them. I’m 60 years old and have never slept so soundly.”
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.”
Be sure to let me know if you have any questions about how to have better sleep or stronger joints and bones. You can email me at info@nutritionbreakthroughs.com.
Is “Beauty Sleep” a myth or a reality? If you want to look attractive and healthy, the best thing you can do is get a good night’s sleep, according to recent research from the British Medical Journal
For the first time, say the authors, there is scientific backing for the concept of beauty sleep.
The study that was led by John Axelsson from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, investigated the relationship between sleep and perceptions of attractiveness and health. The authors believe this research is important in today’s 24 hour society with the number of people increasing who are suffering from sleep disorders and disturbed sleep.
23 participants between the ages of 18 to 31 took part in the study. They were photographed between 2pm and 3pm on two occasions, once after normal sleep and once after being deprived of sleep. Smokers were excluded from the research and no alcohol was allowed for two days prior to the experiment.
The photographs were taken in a well-lit room and the distance to the camera was fixed. During both photography sessions participants wore no make-up, had their hair loose (combed back if they had long hair) and underwent similar cleaning or shaving procedures. They were asked to have a relaxed, neutral facial expression for both photos.
Sixty-five observers, who were blinded to the sleep status of the subjects, rated the photographs for attractiveness and whether the individuals looked healthy or unhealthy and tired or not tired.
The results? The observers judged that the faces of the sleep-deprived participants looked less healthy, less attractive and more tired. The study authors then concluded that the facial signals of sleep deprived people can be very telling – affecting their appearance, their attractiveness and how healthy they look.
A comment from the blog author Nutrition Breakthroughs: To preserve your “Beauty Sleep” and attractiveness at those times when you’re experiencing insomnia or sleeplessness, try taking some natural minerals to soothe you to sleep.
A popular example of this is Sleep Minerals II from Nutrition Breakthroughs. This natural sleep aid contains highly absorbable forms of calcium and magnesium, which are the best minerals for sleeplessness and insomnia, as well as for heart health, restless legs syndrome, bone strength, menopause insomnia and teenage insomnia. It comes in a softgel form for rapid and complete absorption.
Wendy R. of Honolulu, Hawaii says: “My friends know that I’ve had chronic insomnia for a long time. Surprisingly, I received the Sleep Minerals II and began taking it and found this thing really works. In the past if I ever got a good nights sleep I’d say ‘I slept like a baby’, but that’s the wrong comparison. Those little guys get up every two hours. I am actually beginning to sleep like an adult — a much-rested adult.”
While everyone has trouble falling asleep now and then, if you find that you are frequently having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep because of back pain, you aren’t alone.
Poor sleep is a well-known cause of a wide range of both psychological and physical effects. For one thing, it can be nearly impossible to find a comfortable sleeping position. Another contributing factor is that while gentle exercising and walking can create better sleep, a lack of exercise due to chronic back pain makes sleep more elusive.
The Catch-22
One of the main issues is that sleeping poorly makes back pain worse and the worse your back pain, the less quality sleep you will have.
“Rapid Eye Movement” or REM sleep is one of the deepest, most necessary and health-rejuvenating phases of sleep. Your body may be more sensitive to pain when you can’t get some serious REM sleep. A lack of quality sleep only increases inflammation, which contributes to pain and can also lead to depression.
Normal Quality Sleeping
Sleep isn’t just a nice past time; it is vital for the body’s overall functioning. Quality sleep, meaning REM sleep, allows the body to rest and conduct its needed functions, such as the removal of old hormones and the creation of new ones, and it can’t do this when the mind is awake.
While there is no true “normal” amount of sleep, most people need between 7 and 9 hours each night. Of course, some seem to operate fine on 6 hours and others need 11, but since one’s sleep requirements change during a person’s lifetime, there is no one perfect number of hours, only what is perfect for you.
Sleeping with Chronic Back Pain
If you suffer from chronic back pain, you might find getting enough quality sleep a real problem.
While it might seem impossible, there are plenty of ways you can try that have been shown to help those with lower back pain or chronic back pain get the sleep they desperately need.
Let me share with you the tips I give my patients when it comes to sleeping with back pain.
Essential Tips for Sleeping with Back Pain
Keep in mind that not everything will work for everyone. If one method doesn’t work for you, don’t be afraid to try something else.
Essential Tip #1- Eat Foods That Are Known to Stop Inflammation
It’s a fact that some foods encourage inflammation while others help to put out that fire. Inflammation causes pain, so the more you can do to stop inflammation, the less pain you will have. Some of the best anti-inflammatory foods include:
Green leafy veggies, such as spinach and chard
Fatty fish
Colorful fruits, such as cherries, blueberries, and strawberries
Nuts, including walnuts and almonds
Avoid foods that encourage inflammation such as fried foods, sugary treats, junk food and refined flour goods (such as cookies or white bread).
Essential Tip #2- Get in at Least Some Stretching and Exercise Daily
I know, right about now, you are saying “How can I exercise when my back hurts so much?” This is another terrible Catch-22 in life. You need to exercise and stretch to stop back pain, but exercise and stretching hurt your back.
Nearly everyone can do at least some sort of exercise and stretching. I often recommend yoga stretches to my patients, since it’s a good way to do both. It might not be aerobic, but it will help to strengthen the muscles, as well as stretch them. Once you are feeling stronger, your back pain will be reduced, and you might be able to try some other forms of exercise.
Swimming and water aerobics are also an activity I highly recommend. If these are open at this time in your area, check with your YMCA, YWCA, or other community pools regarding classes.
Essential Tip #3- Try Natural Supplements
There are plenty of supplements that can help to reduce inflammation, as well as promote sleep. Some of the best ones would be calcium and magnesium, which have been proven to induce natural sleep and are directly related to our sleep cycles.
Anti-inflammatory supplements include curcumin, fish oil, ginger, and alpha-lipoic acid, or ALA. If you are unsure about interactions with your current medications or if you want to know more about which supplements might be best for you, consult with your primary care physician or chiropractor.
Essential Tip #4- Time for a Bed Check
You might think that your bed is just fine, but the truth is that most mattresses have a lifespan of only 10 years. If your mattress is more than 10 years old, you aren’t doing your back any favors by sleeping on it.
I know that mattresses can be expensive and if you are wondering which mattress would be best for your back, you might consider the Casper Wave mattress, as recommended by the American Chiropractic Association.
These are not terribly expensive, and you don’t need a fancy box spring or anything other than a flat surface to set it on. Casper also has a generous return policy. I’ve had many clients say that they were skeptics, but after just a few nights with this mattress, they slept like a baby.
Essential Tip #5- Pillow Talk
Many people sleep with the same pillow for decades, but like mattresses, these can wear out in as little as 4 years. If you also experience neck pain along with back pain, your pillow might be to blame. Try different pillows until you find the one that works best for you.
I also recommend body pillows. These long, very flexible pillows can be molded into many positions, allowing you to support your back and reduce back pain.
If you have tried all of the above and you still experience back pain that keeps you awake, it’s time to consult a professional. See your primary care physician or your chiropractor for practical advice and a health checkup.
****************************************************************************************** This article is shared by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the original calcium and magnesium based sleep aid Sleep Minerals II.
About the Author:
Dr. Brent Wells founded Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab in 1998. He is a graduate of the University of Nevada where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree before moving on to complete his doctorate from Western States Chiropractic College. The goal for Dr. Wells is to treat Anchorage Alaska patients through physical therapy, chiropractic care, and massage therapy, with care and compassion while providing them with a better quality of life.
Will chronic back pain ever go away?
In this article, Dr. Brent Wells, Doctor of Chiropractic, shares the tips he gives to his patients when it comes to remedying chronic back pain. The article includes how to sleep better, which foods to eat, gentle exercises and stretches, supplements to take, and tips for mattresses and pillows.
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.
Exposure to electromagnetic fields, or EMFs, is an expected occurrence in our daily lives. Although this is not a new development, the dose and frequency has continued to rise significantly over the last decade.
With the majority of the public continuously exposed to EMFs, researchers estimate up to 13% of these individuals experience adverse health complications (1).
Where do EMFs come from?
EMFs are produced both naturally in our environment and through technology. Now, it has become increasingly difficult to avoid EMFs as our cellphones, laptops, electricity in our homes and businesses, appliances, and industrial equipment all generate EMFs.
How do EMF’s create unhealthy side effects?
EMF research continues to uncover the unhealthy side effects of frequent EMF exposure and their findings suggest this is becoming a growing public health concern. (2). One of the key negative effects on health associated with prolonged EMF exposure is oxidative stress (3)
Oxidative stress, or an imbalance of oxygen in the body, occurs when there are more unhealthy molecules in the body compared with the anti-oxidants like vitamin C and E. The anti-oxidants can neutralize and dissolve unhealthy oxygen molecules, which act to cause cell damage, a variety of illnesses, and increase the effects of aging over time.
Other complications of EMF exposure include the opening of calcium channels in the brain (4), along with an increased use of magnesium, calcium and zinc, leading to depleted levels of these crucial nutrients (5).
How calcium channels work
Calcium channels exist in the body to selectively allow calcium ions into our cells. Calcium ions are charged molecules that play an important role in cell activity and function. They help with communication between cells and affect all stages of our cell’s life cycles. This system is tightly regulated, so when these channels begin opening abnormally due to EMF radiation, it can lead to symptoms such as (6):
Headaches
Irritability
Fatigue
Insomnia
Pain/tingling due to nerve stimulation
A natural remedy for this can be selecting magnesium-rich foods to eat, as well as taking magnesium supplements. Both can offer natural EMF protection.
The benefits of magnesium for natural EMF protection
Magnesium is a great example of a nutrient important for EMF radiation protection. Why? Well, it is involved in over 300 chemical processes in the body, including the support of several anti-oxidant enzymes (7).
Enzymes play a vital role in our bodies and they help speed up chemical reactions that take place in nearly all cells. With magnesium acting to fuel our anti-oxidant enzymes, it ultimately has the ability to help decrease oxidative stress due to sustained EMF exposure. In addition, magnesium acts as a natural calcium channel blocker (8).
Beyond magnesium’s role in improving anti-oxidant capacity and calcium channel blocking, it regulates neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain that affect our mood and stress response) and enables us to transition away from our fight and flight reactions, and into a calm, more peaceful state (9).
In fact, the calming effect of magnesium is so significant that it has been coined “the original chill pill”. So for those struggling with poor sleep quality or impaired immunity due to stress, EMF exposure, or inflammation, magnesium supplementation is key.
Top dietary sources of magnesium
Despite its crucial role in the body, about half the U.S. population aren’t getting enough of it (10). Magnesium is considered one of the most prevalent nutrient deficiencies in the United States, following closely behind vitamin D deficiency.
Deficiency is easily remedied by incorporating foods rich in magnesium into your diet. Top sources of magnesium include:
Seeds – 764 mg in 1 cup pumpkin seeds
Nuts – 307 mg in 1 cup of nuts
Dark leafy greens – 157 mg in 1 cup of cooked spinach
Fatty fish – 53 mg in ½ salmon filet
Legumes – 48 mg per serving
Avocado – 42 mg in a whole avocado
Final thoughts
If you struggle from symptoms of EMF exposure and are looking to implement natural EMF protection measures in your life, ensuring you are receiving adequate doses of magnesium in your diet is key. The daily Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for magnesium are as follows:
400 mg/day for men between 19-30 years
310 mg/day for women between 19-30 years
420 mg/day for men over 31 years
320 for women over 31 years
Another option is to supplement with a highly absorbable form of magnesium. An example of a product that contains this is Sleep Minerals II from Nutrition Breakthroughs. In addition to containing magnesium that’s mixed with healthy oils in a softgel form, it also includes calcium and zinc, which can become depleted over time due to prolonged EMF exposure.
Magnesium is a great example of a nutrient that’s important for EMF radiation protection. It is involved in over 300 chemical processes in the body, including the support of several anti-oxidant enzymes. With magnesium acting to fuel our anti-oxidant enzymes, it ultimately has the ability to help decrease oxidative stress due to sustained EMF exposure.
What is the best EMF protection?
It’s helpful to turn your Wi-Fi connection off when you’re not using the internet and also at night to protect your immune system while you sleep. EMF-blocking clothing can make a difference, such as beanies and shirts that contain silver threading. Avoid wireless watches, headsets and other wireless devices. Use regular, old-fashioned light bulbs rather than compact fluorescent ones that can give off “dirty energy.”
Studies 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
Look around your house and ask yourself, what couldn’t I live without? If you’re like nearly half the population, your smartphone is on the list.
That’s because our smartphones connect us to so many other things we love, from the people who are precious to us to the music that enriches our lives.
Knowing that we can’t live without our smartphones raises a question, though. How can we live more healthfully with them? From finding the best cellular service plan, to choosing a cell phone case that reflects our unique personalities, we invest a lot of time ensuring we have the best smartphone experience. You might want to think about it this way: adopting healthy cell phone habits is part of your overall smartphone optimization plan.
Cell Phone Safety During Cold and Flu Season
While the greatest risk of being infected with colds and the flu comes from inhaling airborne droplets released by people who are ill, a virus can also spread via contaminated surfaces. Plastic and metal, two of the materials commonly used to manufacture smartphones, can harbor a virus for two to three days.
What’s more, because we hold our phones close to our faces and speak directly into them, they are more likely than other objects — like countertops or pots and pans, for example — to carry traces of a virus.
The first step you can take to reduce your risk comes down to common sense. For best cell phone safety, don’t share your smartphone with others and don’t use other people’s phones. That means not handing your phone to someone else to view your Facebook photos. If someone wants to do a quick Google search on your phone, do it for them.
Don’t reach over to hand someone their phone just to be courteous. Our phones have become so ever-present in our lives, we are barely aware of how often we touch them.
Keep it Clean
It’s also a smart practice to disinfect your phone periodically. Phone manufacturers have recently advised users that common disinfectants like alcohol and bleach wipes can be used to clean screens without damaging them. But some products might be too harsh so it’s best to follow your phone’s manufacturer’s advice on the subject. If you’re into gadgets, you may also want to consider one of the phone disinfecting devices that uses UVC light to kill germs.
UVC is ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet light is a type of radiation that makes black-light posters glow and is responsible for summer tans. Light in the UVC wavelength can be used for disinfecting water, sterilizing surfaces, destroying harmful micro-organisms in food products and also in the air.
UVC light has been used for years to stop the spread of disease. It’s also a component of the best air purifiers for home use. Choose a model that encloses your phone and bathes it in light, rather than a wand-style model, to avoid exposing yourself or others to the low level of radiation the devices emit.
Cut it Short
There is a body of evidence connecting too much screen time to health problems, whether it’s cold and flu season or not. In studies of cell phone safety, screen time has been linked to obesity and it can also disrupt our sleep patterns. Studies show that poor sleep can lead to chronic inflammation, an underlying cause of health problems ranging from asthma to heart conditions.
Shutting the cell phone and computer off a couple hours before bedtime can lead to a better night’s sleep. The light from these devices has been shown to reduce the sleep-inducing hormone known as melatonin and make it harder to stay asleep at night. Another tip for better sleep would be to take some highly absorbable forms of calcium and magnesium such as those found in the natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II. Magnesium has been proven to help reduce the harmful effects of radiation from cell phones.
Caring for Kids
Some parents have all but given up trying to limit their kids’ screen time. But limiting our kids’ use of smartphones remains important. Ironically, while adults may experience a greater sense of connectedness by using their phones, too much screen time can make kids less interested in being with their friends and family.
The shows and games that appear to keep the kids’ minds engaged may actually impair their thinking and learning abilities later in life. It’s safe to say that family members of all ages can improve their health by taking steps to use their cell phones safely.
Author Bio:
Susan Doktor is a journalist and businesswoman who hails from New York City. She writes guest and ghost-blogs internationally on a wide range of topics, including health, technology, finance and consumer products.
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.
Chamomile 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.
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