#bioflavinoids

[anndevito]

Green, red, black, purple, yellow Ancient and medicinal - Queen of all fruits. Wine

[denise-major-dodge]

  If you’re like me; you don’t want to be stuck taking Ibuprofen & Tylenol for the rest of your life. Inflammation and chronic pain can develop due to a variety of issues including joint, muscle, & reconnective tissue damage. I’ve decided to compile a variety of herbal and nutrient supplements you can take everyday that will not only relieve inflammation and pain, but also enhance the bodies ability to recover.

Changing an unhealthy diet is always a good idea, but at the very least you should give your body the opportunity to get the things it needs through supplements if its not coming from your diet. Here is a list of ideas and information I’ve compiled so that YOU can help yourself get rid of inflammation and the daily battle with pain. Also, moving into herbal and nutrient supplements and away from chemical pills that cause stomach and liver damage. Tylenol and Ibuprofen will cause damage if taken for extremely long periods of time; there is a better way that IS effective.

Recommended NUTRIENT Supplements For Joint, Muscle, & Reconnective Tissue Damage and Inflammation

Glucosamine & Chondroitin; It helps protect joint cartilage & is capable of considerable pain relief in most patients. It can ease the pain and discomforts that come with age, weight or athletic deterioration of the joints.

POWERFUL JOINT PAIN & INFLAMMATION RELIEF – VIMERSON HEALTH ULTRA FLEX JOINT SUPPORT is designed for anyone who has joint pain, joint stress or experiences joint stiffness. The powerful nutrients in our formula may help to maintain joint flexibility. Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Turmeric, MSM, Boswellia, Quercetin, Methionine and Bromelain are compounds that promote greater joint health, pain relief, range of motion and comfort. This effective Joint Complex works for adult Men or Women & Seniors.

Suggested Dosage: take as directed on bottle for approximately 4 to 6 weeks.

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Calcium & Magnesium; Assists with normal bone & muscle function, and also repairs damage to collagen. Being deficient in magnesium will increase any pain that person experiences.

POWERFUL JOINT PAIN & INFLAMMATION RELIEF – Solgar Chelated Magnesium Calcium; Magnesium helps to regulate calcium transport and stimulates the secretion of calcitonin, a hormone that aids in the influx of calcium into bone. Magnesium also works with ATP to release the energy needed for most reactions in the body. It plays an important role in healthy nerve and muscle function. Calcium provides the building blocks that help keep bones and teeth strong and healthy. This formulation offers multiple forms of magnesium and calcium providing a 2:1 magnesium to calcium ratio.

Suggested Dosage: 1,000 mg of calcium & 500 mg of magnesium. Only use chelated varieties (it’ll be listed on the bottle if its chelated.)

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Vitamin A w/ Beta-carotene; promotes tissue repair wherever there is damage in the human body & behaves like a free radical in that it defends inflamed tissue by lowering the irritation causing inflammation.

Many authorities recommend getting beta-carotene and other antioxidants from food instead of supplements, at least until research finds out whether supplements offer the same benefits. Eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily provides 6-8 mg of beta-carotene.

Suggested Dosage: 15,000 IU of Vitamin A and 25,000 IU of beta-carotene for three to four weeks.

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Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids; The combination speeds up tissue healing & the regeneration of connective tissue. Also acts as an anti-inflammatory to injured parts of the body.

Suggested Dosage: 500 mg daily; divide dosage into three parts WITH meals to avoid stomach upset.

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Bromelain; reduces swelling & inflammation. Should be similarly effective to ibuprofen without the side effects (liver damage etc.)

Suggested Dosage: Take as directed on bottle. The chewable variety is acceptable.

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Vitamin B12; can be given as a shot directly into the damaged tissue to relieve pain and accelerate healing time.

Suggested Dosage: Shot must be administered by a medical professional with the approval of a qualified physician.

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If You Know Someone That Would Be Interested In This Information; SHARE IT!

Recommended HERBAL Supplements For Joint, Muscle, & Reconnective Tissue Damage and Inflammation

Devil’s Claw (herb named after the prickly shape of the herb and pain caused by its thorns); this herb has been used as an effective anti-inflammatory & digestive stimulant for thousands of years.

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Yucca Herbal Supplement; reduced inflammation and pain.

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Sarsaparilla Herbal Supplement; anti-rheumatic, anti-inflammatory, & blood purifier.

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White Willow Bark Supplement; Has been used for thousands of years as a successful pain reliever. Salicin is the active part of white willow bark that alleviates pain; same active part as modern aspirin, without the physical side effects of the blood thinning or stomach irritation.

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Cayenne Herbal Supplement & Food Seasoning; stimulated circulation, enhances the properties of other herbal supplements in the body, reduces recovery time, reduced inflammation & pain. Available as an ointment, but should be kept away from eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. Wash hands immediately after using ointment.

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Horsetail (Shave Grass); assists with connective tissue damage by regenerating and strengthening existing tissue. Contains silica which has been scientifically proven to regenerate tissue damage and keep it strong. Horsetail is the richest source of all natural silica.

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HOME CARE SUGGESTIONS:

Rest the damaged tissue as much as possible.

Spend time each day, especially in the evening, to do hot/cold compresses. Cold will reduce inflammation causing blood to leave the area, hot brings the blood back to the area. Forcing this movement of blood in the area can help avoid blood clots, over swelling, and other issues while allowing the blood and other particles in his system to repair any damage to the inside of his feet.

Wrap the damaged area, or use compression socks or sleeves if that is convenient, to reduce swelling and elevate the feet (if the damage has affected a part of your body below the waist) to limit how much blood rushes to the area.

If you have access to an at-home TENS machine it will assist with pain.

Dimethyl sulfoxide solution can be applied directly to damaged area; it will penetrate the skin and reduced inflammation. WARNING: THIS ITEM CAN BE FOUND IN HEALTH FOOD STORES, BUT MUST BE WATERED DOWN TO 70% STRENGTH. WHEN THE WATER IS ADDED TO THIS SOLUTION, A CHEMICAL REACTION WILL TAKE PLACE CAUSING THE LIQUID TO HEAT UP. DO NOT APPLY TO SKIN UNTIL AFTER THE LIQUID HAS COOLED DOWN TO ROOM TEMPERATURE.

Aspirin & Ibuprofen will alleviate pain but will NOT help the damaged tissue heal any quicker. Other herbal supplements should be incorporated to ensure the body recovers properly.

Create your own poultice to reduce swelling and pain. Cut open a chamomile tea bag, wet the contents with some coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil, apply the wet mixture directly to the inflamed/painful area, wrap it in a bandage and leave it on over night or a few hours. Take it off in the morning and allow the area to rest before continuing with your day.

Turmeric supplement should be added to daily vitamins or food as a seasoning to encourage the body’s ability to heal itself.

  I sincerely hope these suggestions will help you battle your pain and inflammation issues. Is there something you do or take that helps you? Feel free to leave your comments below!

  Recommended nutrients, herbals, reflexology, & home care suggestions for pain & inflammation. If you're like me; you don't want to be stuck taking Ibuprofen & Tylenol for the rest of your life.

[athleticaone]

8 Foods That Boost Immunity

Vitamin C. Vitamin Ctops the list of immune boosters for many reasons. There has been more research about the immune-boosting effects of Vitamin C than perhaps any other nutrient. Vitamin C supplements are inexpensive to produce, and it's available naturally in many fruits and vegetables. Also, you can buy a vitamin-C-fortified version of just about anything. Here's what the research shows about how this mighty vitamin protects your body.Vitamin C increases the production of infection-fighting white blood cells and antibodies and increases levels of interferon, the antibody that coats cell surfaces, preventing the entry of viruses. Vitamin C reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by raising levels of HDL (good) cholesterol while lowering blood pressure and interfering with the process by which fat is converted to plaque in the arteries. As an added perk, persons whose diets are higher in vitamin C have lower rates of colon, prostate, and breast cancer. You don't have to take in massive amounts of vitamin C to boost your immune system. Around 200 milligrams a day seems to be a generally agreed-upon amount and one that can be automatically obtained by eating at least six servings of fruits and vegetables a day. See Top Seven Vitamin C-Containing Fruits. If you take vitamin C supplements, it's best to space them throughout the day rather than take one large dose, most of which may end up being excreted in the urine.

Vitamin E.This important antioxidant and immune booster doesn't get as much press as vitamin C, yet it's important to a healthy immune system.Vitamin E stimulates the production of natural killer cells, those that seek out and destroy germs and cancer cells. Vitamin E enhances the production of B-cells, the immune cells that produce antibodies that destroy bacteria. Vitamin E supplementation may also reverse some of the decline in immune response commonly seen in aging. Vitamin E has been implicated in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease. In the Harvard School of Public Health study of 87,000 nurses, Vitamin E supplementation was shown to cut the risk of heart attacks by fifty percent. It's not difficult to get 30 to 60 milligrams every day of Vitamin E from a diet rich in seeds, vegetable oils, and grains, but it's difficult for most people to consume more than 60 milligrams a day consistently through diet alone. Supplements may be necessary to get enough vitamin E to boost your immune system. You need 100-400 milligrams per day, depending on your general lifestyle. People who don't exercise, who smoke, and who consume high amounts of alcoholic beverages will need the higher dosage. Those with a more moderate lifestyle can get by with lower levels of supplementation.

Carotenoids. Beta carotene increases the number of infection-fighting cells, natural killer cells, and helper T-cells, as well as being a powerful antioxidant that mops up excess free radicals that accelerate aging. Like the other "big three" antioxidants, vitamins C and E, it reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by interfering with how the fats and cholesterol in the bloodstream oxidize to form arterial plaques. Studies have shown that beta carotene can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, especially strokes and heart attacks, giving scientific credence to the belief that a carrot a day can keep the heart surgeon away. Beta carotene also protects against cancer by stimulating the immune cells called macrophages to produce tumor necrosis factor, which kills cancer cells. It has also been shown that beta carotene supplements can increase the production of T-cell lymphocytes and natural killer cells and can enhance the ability of the natural killer cells to attack cancer cells.Beta carotene is the most familiar carotenoid, but it is only one member of a large family. Researchers believe that it is not just beta carotene that produces all these good effects, but all the carotenoids working together. This is why getting carotenoids in food may be more cancer-protective than taking beta carotene supplements. The body converts beta carotene to vitamin A, which itself has anticancer properties and immune-boosting functions. But too much vitamin A can be toxic to the body, so it's better to get extra beta carotene from foods and let the body naturally regulate how much of this precursor is converted to the immune-fighting vitamin A. It's highly unlikely that a person could take in enough beta carotene to produce a toxic amount of vitamin A, because when the body has enough vitamin A, it stops making it.

Continue reading at AskDrSears.com

[healthreef]

Can Diet Reduce Arthritis Symptoms?

Can Diet Reduce Arthritis Symptoms?

Author:Steve

Did you know that some foods have anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to reduce inflammation from chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis? Sardines, olive oil, and oranges are a few foods that have anti-inflammatory properties. Here’s a list of some other anti-inflammatory foods that you may want to target:

Omega-3s decrease inflammation by suppressing the production of cytokines and enzymes that damage cartilage. Sources of Omega 3: sardines, rainbow trout, salmon, herring, mackerel (not king), anchovies, Pacific oysters, omega-3 fortified eggs, flaxseed, and walnuts.

Berries are full of antioxidants (CC by 2.0, epSos.de)

Antioxidants: Some studies suggest that certain antioxidant help prevent arthritis, slow its progression, and reduce pain. Olive oil contains antioxidants called polyphenols which fight inflammation. Vitamin C contributes to collagen health, one components of cartilage. Vitamin C is found in citrus, kale, brussel sprounts, kidney beans, white potato with skin, mustard greens, mangoes, red cabbage, cauliflower, sweet peppers, guava, and cantaloupe.

How about this recipe: kale and sundried tomato over penne pasta? (image courtesy Jennifer; CC by 2.0)

Antioxidants called cartenoids may reduce the risk of inflammatory disease. Cartenoids are in fruits and vegetables and include beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, Cartenoids are found in sweet potato, carrots, kale, butternut squash, turnip greens, pumpkin, mustard greens, cantaloupe, sweet red pepper, apricots, winter squash, pumpkin, persimmons, papaya, tangerines, red peppers, corn, oranges, apricots and spinach.

The bioflavinoids quercetin and anthocyanidins are also antioxidants. Quercetin was shown to have effects similar to nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin and ibuprofin) by reducing the inflammatory effects of inflammatory chemicals called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Quercetin is found in leeks, cherry tomatoes,  broccoli, red/yellow/white onions, kale, blueberries, black currants, elderberries, lingonberries, cocoa powder, apples with skin (*Red Delicious), and  broccoli.

Anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins inhibit production of inflammatory chemicals like cytokines and prostaglandins. Foods containing anthocyanidins include red and black grapes, strawberries, cherries, blackberries, raspberries, black currants, blueberries, eggplant, elderberries, boysenberries,  and plums.

Ginger (image courtesy Eliot Phillips, CC by 2.0)

Selenium: Low levels of selenium are associated with both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Severe arthritis has been associated with low selenium levels. Sources for selenium are whole grains, brazil nuts, cod, shrimp, tilapia, oysters, tuna, and crab.

Spices: Ginger and turmeric have anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger is also a blood-thinner, so talk to your doctor if you are taking a prescription blood-thinner.

Links: Fight arthritis with these foods | Today Health

Pictures used under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC by 2.0) license.

#Arthritis, #Nutrition