Arthritis - Herbs and Ayurvedic Remedies, Arthritis Symptom and Other Treatments

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints. It can occur anywhere in the body and, based on that, there are several types of arthritis. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis which is the common ailment of pain in the joints observed in elderly people. Other common types of arthritic ailments are rheumatoid arthritis and gout.

The word arthritis is derived from two root Greek words - arthros meaning 'joint' and it is meaning 'inflammation'. Hence, arthritis literally translates as inflammation of the joints.

Arthritis is an auto-immune disease, which means, it is a disease in which the human body attacks itself. It begins in one or two joints where an acute pain is felt. This is the most miserable phase of arthritis. Over time, this pain may disappear, but it could cause permanent deformities in the bones and joints.

Why is Arthritis caused?

Different types of arthritis are caused due to different reasons.

(1) Osteoarthritis - Osteoarthritis is a common old-age problem, which affects several people who have crossed the age of 40 years. In people with osteoarthritis, the bones may increase in size at their articulating points. As a result the spaces between them in the joints become less. When moving about, there is a high probability that different bones will rub against each other. This is the cause of osteoarthritis.

(2) Rheumatoid Arthritis - Rheumatoid arthritis is a more serious problem than osteoarthritis because it can occur at any age. In people with rheumatoid arthritis, the ligaments and tendons between the joints undergo degeneration. This causes severe pain where the degeneration has taken place. Common rheumatoid arthritis pains are felt in the fingers; but other places like the wrists, hip and knees are also affected. Rheumatoid arthritis is responsible for deformation of the fingers.

(3) Septic Arthritis - Septic arthritis is a special type of arthritis which is caused when the joints get infected.

(4) Gout - Gout is common old-age arthritis. It is caused when crystals of uric acid are deposited in the spaces between the joints. This type of arthritis is linked with faulty digestion.

What are the Symptoms of Arthritis?

In all types of arthritis, the following symptoms are observed:-
The initial pains are felt as fleeting pains in the joints, which seem to be no more than a twitching pain.
Pains alternate between various joints quickly.
If the arthritis becomes acute, then on a particular day there is very sharp pain in a joint, and it becomes absolutely normal the next day. The next day another joint could be affected in a similar fashion.
The pains could increase in the winter season or in cold nights.
How can Arthritis be avoided?

Arthritis cannot be avoided effectively as it is a common ailment that occurs with advancing age. One must learn to live with the problem. But there are various things which can be avoided in order to keep arthritis at bay.

The following foods must be avoided if you have continuous arthritic pains:
Animal fats
Fried foods
Foods rich in carbohydrates like potatoes
Tomatoes
Peppers
Salt
Simple yogic asanas and light exercise helps proper digestion of the body and also protects it from autoimmune problems. Hence, these are beneficial in arthritis.

If you have recurrent pains in the joints, then do not keep the joint covered. As far as possible, keep the joint exposed to the air. For example, if you have pain in the knee joints, then do not wear tight denim clothing; shorts would be a good idea. This will provide freer circulation of blood in the joint and reduce the pains.

How can Arthritis be controlled with Simple Home Remedies?

Some household remedies are known to provide relief from arthritic pains. The following are some of the more benefiting ones:-
Applying a paste of limestone and honey on the affected joints externally provides relief.
Mash some mustard in warm water and apply this solution on the joints. This must be done repeatedly to get results.
Put two teaspoons of cumin into a glass of water. Bring this to a boil. When the water is still hot, soak a towel in it and foment the affected region with this towel. This will provide relief from the pain within a few hours.
Asafetida mixed with egg yolk can be applied on the affected joints to seek immediate relief.
Prepare a pancake from wheat flour. Roast it on one side, but leave it uncooked on the other. Then put some heated mustard oil on the uncooked side. When it is hot, tie it like a tourniquet on the affected joint, or provide fomentation with it. This provides quick relief.
Mix some cardamom in milk. Put a pinch of turmeric in this milk. This is to be drunk every night while going to sleep. This makes the person sleep peacefully in the morning.

Painful All Over Your Body, It May Be Fibromyalgia!

Painful all over your body and it never quits! Your symptoms are not recognized as a known disease? It affects your muscles, joints, ligaments and your body is just painful to the touch? You may have Fibromyalgia. Read the good, bad and painful about Fibromyalgia!

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition, not a disease. There are ways to treat this condition, but many have severe and lasting side effects. We will look at the good, the bad and the ugly sides of the treatments for Fibromyalgia.

With Fibromyalgia, you often feel exhausted and hurt all over. Your doctor may not find anything wrong with you even after multiple lab tests. The exact cause of fibromyalgia is still undetermined but it is believed that the nerves in the muscle tissue become irritated due to inflammation and send signals to the brain and it is recognized as pain.

One of the tests your doctor may run to identify your symptoms as Fibromyalgia, are identifying specific locations on your body that are extremely sensitive to pain with a slight pressure. There are 18 points located in symmetrical pairs from your head down to your knees. The American College of Rheumatology guidelines for making a fibromyalgia diagnosis require pain at 11 of the tender points on the body.

*Fibromyalgia Pain Tender Points

There are nine pairs of specific spots that are abnormally tender to soft pressure. These are very distinctive in the assessment of Fibromyalgia.

Around the lower vertebra of the neck. At the insertion of the second rib. Around the upper part of the thigh bone. In the middle of the knee joint. In muscles connected to the base of the skull. In muscles of the neck and upper back. In muscles of the mid-back. On the side of the elbow. In the upper and outer muscles of the buttocks.

Within the United States, Fibromyalgia affects about 2 percent of the population. It occurs more often in women than in men and the risk increases with age. Fibromyalgia can also affect children. Often the symptoms begin after an emotional or physical trauma but can start with no specific action or event.

*CO-EXISTING CONDITIONS:Many people with fibromyalgia may also have:

Chronic fatigue syndrome Depression Endometriosis Headaches Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Lupus Osteoarthritis Post-traumatic stress disorder Restless legs syndrome Rheumatoid arthritis

The symptoms of fibromyalgia may vary with changes in physical activity, stress, weather or sometime just the time of day. Fibromyalgia pain can be described as a constant dull ache, arising from the muscles and/or joints. To be considered Fibromyalgia, the pain will be on both sides of your body. It will be both above and below your waist.

* SLEEP DISTURBANCES AND FATIGUE:

Most often with fibromyalgia, you awake tired, as though you did not have enough sleep and this may be after many hours of sleep. It is believed that this condition rarely allows the person to reach the deep restorative stage of sleep needed to refresh the body and soul. Other sleep disorders that are linked to fibromyalgia include sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome.

* PERSONS SEX:

Fibromyalgia occurs more often in women than in men or children.

* PERSONS AGE:

It starts to develop in early and middle adulthood. As stated, it occurs in older adult women, but also in men and children.

* SLEEP PATTERNS:

Since this condition can have mild to extreme phases, it is not defined whether sleep difficulties are the cause or are a result of fibromyalgia. It is not uncommon for people with fibromyalgia to have some form of sleep disorder. It could be restless legs syndrome, sleep apnea or muscle spasms of the legs or a combination of difficulties.

* HEREDITY:

It appears that if a family member has fibromyalgia, that you have a higher risk of developing it also.

* RHEUMATIC DISEASE:

If you have rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, you stand a higher risk of developing fibromyalgia.

* TREATMENT:

Treatments for fibromyalgia should include self-care and required medications.

We are trying to improve the health and well being of the person, while minimizing the symptoms.

There are alternatives to the Steroid and Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by using natural or herbal remedies and supplements. Serrapeptase enzyme is very effective and safe in relieving the pain and inflammation of fibromyalgia. There are no known side effects to Serrapeptase.

You can get more information on safer treatments at the end of this article.

* MEDICATIONS:

To reduce the pain and improve sleep for the body to rest and restore itself, some type of medication will be used. This can be orthodox medical drugs or an improved method of using safe natural remedies such as Serrapeptase enzyme and other non-drug related treatments.

It must be noted that many prescription medications have one or more negative side effects. Serrapeptase enzyme and other natural supplements normally have fewer or no negative side effects.

COMMON CHOICES ARE:

* ANALGESICS:

Acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) may reduce the pain but its effectiveness may differ with each person and severity of the fibromyalgia.

One of the prescription pain reliever Tramadol (Ultram), can be taken with or without acetaminophen.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be recommended in conjunction with other medications. NSAIDs include naproxen sodium (Aleve, others) or aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil or others).

NSAIDs are less effective in controlling the pain of fibromyalgia, if they are taken by themselves.

*ANTIDEPRESSANTS:

A prescription of amitriptyline may be prescribed by your doctor to help promote sleep. The addition of Flucxetine (Prozac) with anitriptyline may be helpful to some people.

For fibromyalgia, the use of duloxetine (Cymbalta) may be beneficial to relieve the pain and fatigue.

A newly approved medication by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of fibromyalgia symptoms is milnacipran (Savella).

* ANTI-SEIZURE DRUGS:

In reducing some pains, the medications that treat epilepsy are also used.

The first drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat fibromyalgia is pregabalin (Lyrica). Another medication that is sometimes helpful, gabapentin (Neurontin) maybe recommended for fibromyalgia.

* THERAPY:

Physical Therapy may reduce pain and will help to improve muscle tone or balance.

The combination of stretching exercises and the application of cold and/or hot may also be helpful.

Counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy will work to improve your behavioral abilities and will teach you how to deal with stressful situations.

Therapy and counseling may be achieved individually or in groups. The use of prepared information on CDs, DVDs or tapes may help you manage your fibromyalgia.

* SELF-CARE:

It is important to manage yourself when you have fibromyalgia.

Reduce stress by developing a plan to limit emotional stress and overexertion. You need to set aside time on a daily basis to relax. It is important to know your limits and do not let others or yourself put undo pressure on you. A stable routine or schedule is necessary to help you focus on the events required each day.

If you had a job or lifestyle prior to fibromyalgia, it is important that you continue with the same schedules and only modify it as needed for the pain or symptoms of fibromyalgia. Persons that have reduced their lifestyle because of fibromyalgia, actually do worse than those who stay active.

Meditation and deep breathing can be very beneficial in managing stress. Sleep is a must with fibromyalgia. One of the main characteristics of fibromyalgia is fatigue. Getting enough sleep is essential.

Good habits will improve your ability to be successful at resting and sleeping. Going to bed and getting up each day at the same time and avoiding the daytime naps will help with the night-time sleep patterns. The restorative sleep is critical for combating the effects of fibromyalgia.

Regular Exercise routine: With fibromyalgia, exercise may cause more pain but continuing your exercise routine will often decrease the pain and symptoms over time. Keep in mind that strenuous exercise (running, athletic sports) may not be reasonable when you have fibromyalgia. Exercises like swimming, water aerobics, biking and walking will be better to not irritate or worsen the symptoms. It may be recommended that you develop a home exercise program. You can get a physical therapist to assist in setting up an exercise program that is best for your physical condition.

Certainly, relaxation exercises can make you more comfortable and reduce the stress which causes additional pain. Daily stretching and practicing good posture will help your body stay relaxed.

Adjust your activity levels: There will be days that you are feeling better than other days. If you overdue your activities on the good days, it will create more pain and more bad days. Pace your activities on each of your good and bad days.

Healthy Lifestyle: The better you eat, the better your body can strengthen and replenish. Natural or Healthy foods are very important for your overall health. Try to reduce or limit your intake of caffeine. Caffeine can increase your stress or anxiety levels, which can increase your pain.

Always smile and maintain a great attitude. It will improve your day and the day of others around you. It will reduce your stress and anxiety and reduce the negative effects of fibromyalgia.

* ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE:

For thousands of years, many forms of therapies have been practiced around the world. Meditation, yoga, reflexology, acupuncture, massage, natural herbal supplements and others are considered Holistic therapies and work safely with many conditions and diseases for the relief of pain, inflammation and stress.

For people who have fibromyalgia, these different forms of therapies can be a major factor in relieving pain, inflammation and stress. Even in mainstream medicine, the acceptance of these treatments are now being recognized and used to relieve stress and reduce pain.

Complementary and alternative treatments used for pain management include:

* ACUPUNCTURE:

Acupuncture is used to restore the normal balance of life forces. The Chinese medical system uses very fine needles inserted through the skin to various depths in specific locations for a specific ailment or condition. Western acupuncture theories recognize that the needles cause changes in blood flow and thereby affect the levels of neurotransmitters in the spinal cord and brain.

There have been mixed reviews of the effectiveness of acupuncture in relieving fibromyalgia symptoms. Some indicate that it helps, while others did not benefit from the treatments.

You must be receptive and have a positive attitude for any treatment or therapy to be effective.

* CHIROPRACTIC CARE:

Chiropractic adjustments are believed to open the restrictions in the spine and allow improved blood and nerve flow and circulation. This will reduce the pain and improve others functions in the body.

Manipulation of the spine is only one type of therapy that chiropractors use on restricted spinal mobility. Depending upon the condition or disease, Chiropractors will manipulate the spine with varied amounts of force and positions.

Massage and stretching are used to both compliment the manipulation and by themselves to relax the muscles that are tight or in spasm.

It is important to select the chiropractor based on his/her training and making sure they are licensed practitioners.

* MASSAGE THERAPY:

Moving or manipulating the body's soft tissue and muscles are accomplished using different manipulative techniques. Similar to chiropractic treatment, massage will improve blood circulation in the body, relax the muscles, which will increase the flow of nutrients and help to eliminate waste materials in our bodies.

Effectively, massage will relax your muscles, slow your heart rate, increase the range of motion in your joints and increase your body's natural pain relievers. It is also helpful in relieving anxiety and stress.

There are precautions that you must recognize prior to using massage therapy. Do not use massage therapy if you have acute inflammation, circulatory problems or open sores.

*HERBAL REMEDIES OR SUPPLEMENTS:

Many if not most of the manufactured Steroid or Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have side effects. Many of the side effects will directly impact your body's ability to maintain healthy organs and tissue, which can create secondary and sometime worse problems than the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Herbal or Natural supplements normally have few, if any, side effects that cause damage to your body. If possible, the use of natural/herbal products should be an alternative that you discuss with your doctor. Today, many physicians are recognizing the value of using natural products for the improvement of their patient's health without creating additional health problems.

Serrapeptase enzyme has been used effectively in the reduction of inflammation and pain associated with fibromyalgia. There are no known side effects and the dosage can be varied depending upon the severity of the condition.

There are many cases where the pain and inflammation of fibromyalgia have been reduced or eliminated within a few days or weeks with no side effects!

Any choices made in the treatment of fibromyalgia should be discussed with your doctor. Each person's health and condition requires knowledgeable information and decisions in the treatment of fibromyalgia or other conditions.

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only.

The Wide Spectrum of Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Fibromyalgia is a complex neurological disorder with a pronounced chronic character. Although the most common symptoms generated by fibromyalgia are generalized pain and fatigue, the disorder can cause many other manifestations. Most people with the disorder have a wide diversity of physical symptoms that evolve latently, rarely becoming visible. Due to the fact that most fibromyalgia symptoms can't be detected by medical examinations, some people consider the disorder to be self-induced. However, the truth is that fibromyalgia is a serious condition and its symptoms are real.

Most people with fibromyalgia complain about ongoing pain felt throughout the entire body. This primary symptom generated by the disorder can vary in intensity from a person to another and it is usually associated with a generalized state of fatigue and body weakness. Fibromyalgia pain is felt deep within the muscles, bones and joints and it can sometimes become very intense, taking over the entire body. Most people affected by fibromyalgia also experience muscular stiffness and poor mobility of the joints. Although medical examinations can't reveal the presence of physical abnormalities in people with fibromyalgia, most physical symptoms are very similar to those generated by rheumatoid arthritis or osteoporosis.

Apart from these common symptoms of fibromyalgia, people with the disorder may also experience sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal problems or urinary problems. People with fibromyalgia often suffer from insomnia or sleep apnea. Even when they get enough sleep, people affected by fibromyalgia may still have a pronounced feeling of fatigue. Many people with fibromyalgia also suffer from paresthesia, experiencing sensations of numbness and tingling in the muscles.

Although the specific causes of fibramyalgia remain unknown, it is believed that the disorder occurs on the premises of increased nervous excitability. Medical scientists believe that most of the symptoms generated by fibromyalgia are the result of neurological dysfunctions that determine the nervous system to perceive external stimuli at a higher intensity than normal. This pertinent theory can easily explain some fibromyalgia symptoms such as ongoing pain, sensations of tingling, numbness, increased sensitivity to light and increased sensitivity to temperature. This theory can also explain why the symptoms of fibromyalgia can't be effectively revealed by medical examinations. Apart from a wide range of physical symptoms, fibromyalgia also generates psychological manifestations such as depression, anxiety and sudden changes in mood, suggesting the multifaceted nature of the disorder.

There is no specific cure for fibromyalgia and the disorder can't be effectively overcome with the means of medical treatments available today. Due to poor understanding of the actual causes of fibromyalgia and due to the multitude of generated symptoms, most medical treatments can only provide temporary relief for people affected by this type of neurological disorder.

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16 Foods That Give You an Anti Inflammation Diet!

Why is an anti inflammation diet so important? Chronic inflammation is the root cause of all major disease. Eliminate the inflammation and you eliminate the disease. Diseases like:

Heart Disease Type 2 Diabetes Cancer Arthritis

All of these stem from chronic inflammation within the human body as reported in the article 'The Fires Within' -- the Feb 2004 issue of Time magazine.

Inflammation is an ancient protective defense mechanism built into our bodies to fend off potentially harmful microbes and parasites. Aging can cause this defense system to misfire and bring on the disease mentioned above. The obvious fact is -- if eliminate the chronic inflammation you eliminate the chance of any of these diseases taking hold in your body.

There is a way to measure this type of inflammation?

Yes -- there are three tests -- well known and proven tests -- that reveal how much inflammation is in your body:

C-reactive protein (CRP) High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

CRP is used when bowel disease, arthritis, etc is suspected. hs-CRP tests are for heart disease and ESR testing produces similar results using a different method which takes a little longer.

This inflammation is reduced by certain medicines, nutrients and foods. One of best known is aspirin. That little 81 milligram tablet does a world of good.

But to answer the Big question "Are there foods that can create an anti inflammation diet?"

Yes! Foods rich in Omega-3 DHA Fatty Acids are wonderful at reducing inflammation. Omega 3 is proven to inhibit the causes of inflammation in the human body.

Oily, cold-water fish, such as wild salmon, hake, halibut, cod, mackerel, herring, sardines and other seafood, such as scallops and oysters are great sources of Omega 3 DHA. 4 to 5 servings per week is the recommended amount.

Other terrific sources of Omega 3 DHA are: walnuts cashew oil flaxseed oil beans olive oil winter squash tofu

Along with anti inflammatory Omega 3 DHA these foods are also excellent choices for increased antioxidants: citrus fruits kale broccoli spinach blueberries cranberries raspberries plums sweet potatoes

Eat these fruits and vegetables on a regular basis and you are going to have a positive impact on inflammatory symptoms.

Teas have an anti-inflammatory effect as well as being a good source of antioxidants - herbal, black, or green. It's your choice.

Incorporating all of these foods into your daily meals will create an anti inflammatory diet. Sometimes - though - this can be difficult if not near impossible to do.

That's where omega 3 DHA fish oil capsules come in -- very handy, very inexpensive, (in fact taking fish oil capsules daily is less costly than eating fish) and they are very simple to take.

Fish oil capsules are a great way of getting the nutrients you need without the worry of being exposed to toxins from eating fish. Omega 3 fish oil capsules are a proven, safe and effective way to guarantee an anti inflammatory diet and the correct amount of omega 3 DHA every day! Guaranteed!



 

Lose Weight and Feel Great With the Anti-Inflammatory Diet

The anti-inflammatory diet can make you feel great! "How," you ask. By cutting out or significantly reducing your consumption of pro-inflammatory foods. When these foods are cut from your diet, inflammation in the body reduces taking stress and strain from the joints and organs.

While following this diet your chance of weight loss also goes up. "How does this happen," by reducing your consumption of grain and wheat products, sodas, and other simple sugars that cause excess weight.

I'll start this discussion by telling you what extra inflammation in the body causes; chronic pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, allergies, acne, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, cancer, hypertension, depression, and diabetes. However, this is a shortened list there are many other conditions out there caused by inflammation.

In short summary, the fewer inflammatory foods we eat, the less inflammation we have in the body.

Background Information on Pro-Inflammatory Foods:

Grains, refined sugars, partial-hydrogenated oils, vegetable and seed oils are from modern man. These foods have been around a short time; hence, obesity and disease are on the rise. Humans are genetically adapted to eat fruits, veggies, nuts, lean meats, and fish, foods not related to chronic diseases.

Why Do Grains Inflame?
Grains contain a protein called gluten. Gluten is the main cause of many digestive diseases, such as celiac disease, also contributor to frequent headaches. They also have a sugar protein called lectins which has been shown to cause inflammation in the digestive system. Grains also contain phytic acid which is known to reduce the body's absorption of calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc.

Lastly, grains contain high amounts of fatty acid biochemicals called omega-6 fatty acids which do cause inflammation. Fatty acid biochemicals known as omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and found in fresh fish and green vegetables.

What Should I Eat?

Anti inflammatory foods

- All fruits and vegetables (raw or lightly cooked)

- Red and sweet potatoes

- Anti-inflammatory omega-3 eggs

- Raw nuts

- Spices such as ginger, turmeric, garlic

- Organic butter, coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil

- Fresh fish, avoid farm raised

- Meat, chicken, eggs from grass-fed animals

- Wild game such as deer, elk, etc.

- Water, organic green tea, red wine, stout beer

 

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Apple Cider Vinegar - The Simplest Answer to Perfect Health

Apple cider vinegar is perhaps the number one natural remedy chronicled throughout human history. The use of vinegar as a tonic has been documented as far back as 5000 BC by the Babylonians who were using the date palm to make wine and vinegar. They used it as a food and for a pickling agent. Vinegar residues have been found in ancient Egyptian urns dated 3000 BC. Chinese historical documents from 1200 BC tout the glories of vinegar benefits as well.

The reasons for it's popular medicinal use and as an energizing drink are scientifically well founded by modern science also. Apple cider vinegar benefits are a result of it's source - the noble apple - famous for the saying An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Apples contain not only vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, but also dietary fiber. In addition they contain virtually no fat or sodium.

All of the apples goodness is miraculously transferred to apple cider vinegar especially when it's left untouched or in other words unprocessed. Apple cider vinegar made from whole apples and not pasteurized or filtered contains not only all of the apples nutrients but also many additional enzymes and organic acids produced during the two fermentations required to turn apples into vinegar. Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar is the most popular brand that meets all of the requirements needed to reap the treasured benefits of ACV.

The long list of apple cider benefits range from an antiseptic to an antioxidant while providing a host of absorbable minerals such as potassium and magnesium including pectin, and a water soluble fiber, which is one of the many reasons for the success of the cider vinegar diet.

The recommended method of using apple cider vinegar is to make it into a tonic by mixing 2 or 3 teaspoons of ACV in an 8 ounce glass of water and drinking it before or during each meal. One point to remember when taking apple cider vinegar between meals or before going to bed is to always rinse your mouth to avoid any prolonged vinegar contact with the enamel on your teeth.

My favorite way of dealing with this minor setback is to mix a tsp. of baking soda in the vinegar before you add water. It is always fun to watch it fizz up! Besides the added alkalinity provided by the baking soda is a definite health plus.

As far as ACV remedies are concerned the list literally ranges from A to Z. It starts at acne and asthma and runs to warts and weight loss ending with yeast infections including such ailments as cancer, eczema, fatigue, fungus, headaches, heartburn, insomnia, sore throat, ulcers, and varicose veins in between - to list just a few.

In short, apple cider vinegar lives up to it's reputation of being the simplest answer to perfect health and a timeless cure all as well. A prize in any persons natural remedy medicine chest and a powerful preventative to whatever ails ya, not to forget its age old popularity as a world class tonic. Make sure you always use pure unprocessed organic apple cider vinegar with the mother still in it, and you can rely on it's amazing properties to help provide you and your family with a long and healthy life.

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Coconut Oil - Oil From the Tree of Life

Introduction

The coconut palm tree is a remarkable and valuable plant. The coconut palm tree has probably a thousand uses. The nut of the coconut palm plant is used as a source of food to sustain life. It is an important ingredient in medicine. Other parts of the plant are used as materials to build shelter, make clothing, charcoal, and various tools. The purpose of the plant is numerous. The coconut palm tree has the scientific name: Cocos nucifera, but it has other well meaning names that seem to suit it just as well. In India it is referred to as "Kalpa vriksha" or the "tree which provides all the necessities of life". In the Philippines it is called the "tree of life".

The coconut palm grows abundantly in the tropics and it gives the islands the feeling of paradise and romance, especially along its coastlines. It typically grows to 60 to 70 feet tall and has a life span of up to 70 years. The fruit of the coconut tree is considered botanically a seed, but in the tropics it is mostly considered a nut. It bears year round in bunches of 5 to 12 nuts every month.

The coconut palm takes 14 months to fully mature. A young coconut is completely filled with liquid (referred to as coconut water) and has little meat. The meat is soft and jelly-like in texture and can be eaten with a spoon. A fully mature coconut has less liquid and more meat. Its meat is thick and hard and less sweet than the meat of the young coconut.

The content of meat and liquid varies as the nut matures. Fresh mature coconut meat is also used to make make coconut milk, but fresh coconut meat can spoil quickly and so it is often dried to last for many weeks and longer if sealed in an airtight container and kept cool. However, it is the meat of the coconut that is used to make coconut oil that has captured the most controversy within the last two decades and encourage a number of nutritional fallacies.

The controversy

Coconut oil has been around for thousand of years. Evidence of its early use is seen in Ayurveda literature. In India, the oil was used in food, lotion, pomades, baths, and medicines. It was also used in Asia, The Pacific islands, Africa, and Central America. It was introduced to the Europeans as far back in the 15th century.

By the 1800's, coconut oil was a main form of trade for many of these islands and countries that had an abundance of the coconut palms. It was not only an edible oil; it was used to make soap, candles, lamps, pomades, and many cosmetics. In order to produce a quart of oil, 10 coconuts were needed. An increased demand in coconut would obviously mean higher prices. The leading country producers of coconut oil were Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and India. It was also produced in Latin America and South America. These are the producers that were mostly affected by the biggest propaganda ever hatched in the field of nutrition.

In the 1970s, studies indicated that saturated fat increase blood cholesterol which could increase the risk factor in the development of heart disease. In the USA, coconut oil was already used in a number of baking products. Even in a number of old American recipe books, the oil was included. But soon a number of consumer groups and special interest organization began to lobby the removal of coconut oil from most of its foods.

Consequently, coconut oil, because of its high content of saturated fat and its new stigma as an "artery-clogging fat", became an undesirable and an "unhealthy" choice in cooking. This perpetuated a perfect environment for other types of oil producers to take advantage of this growing consumer fear. And that is just what they did to push their cheaper hydrogenated oils.

By the 1980's, more effort was place to encourage the use of soybean oils. The anti-tropical oil smear campaign promoters were very vocal and were soon successful in decreasing the overall consumption of the tropical oil, including coconut oil, in the American diet to about 2%. Food manufacturers even went as far as stating in their labels that their products "contains no tropical oil".

The scientific and political propaganda was successful in getting the interest of the public to replace tropical oils with cheaper polyunsaturated soybean oil from American farmers. The general public and commercial food industry supported the idea that polyunsaturated vegetable oil, such as soybean, safflower, and corn oils, were good in reducing total cholesterol, better than coconut oil. (One important fact to note is that this method of reducing total cholesterol was not sufficient to determine a healthy cholesterol. A person with a total cholesterol reading of 200 mg/dl could still have heart problems. The best way to measure cholesterol is by the use of the cholesterol ratio that takes into account the amount of HDL and LDL. A cholesterol ratio of 5.0 is normal, and above this value indicates an increasing risk of heart disease). By the 1990's, competition in the edible oil market was practically eliminated. Tropical oil exporters from Malaysia and the Philippines responded to what they termed as "vicious scare tactics" used against their products.

The fallacies are exposed

The coconut oil manufacturers stood up to disputed the common misconceptions promoted throughout the years. They sought to clarify that coconut oil contains absolutely no cholesterol because it is derived from a plant and that it could not raise blood cholesterol or contribute to heart disease. Also, the saturated fat in this oil (Medium-chain fatty acid or MCFA) is different from the saturated fat in meat. They explained that the MCFA in coconut oil is heart friendly, helps protect against heart disease, and does not have a harmful effect on cholesterol levels. Their claim propelled a number of studies to find support for this information.

A number of interesting facts came out of these studies as they observed the use of coconut oil in some populations that had a high consumption of it. In these populations, such as the populations of the Polynesian islands, showed the lowest level of cholesterol and low levels of mortality from heart disease, despite the fact that the consumption of coconut oil was quite high. The oil was part of the staple diets of all Polynesian, Melanesian, and Asian peoples. They had much better health than those in north America and Europe who didn't use coconut oil. These people were relatively free from the the degenerative disease that plagued those under the American or western diet.

However, when these people substituted their traditional diet and adopted the western diet they found an increase in many diseases that was almost unheard of, such as gout, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, atherosclerosis, cancer, and arthritis. Other studies showed that these alternative vegetable oils increased the fat content of foods fried in it. The food therefore absorbed more fat and could cause an increase fat consumption, and worse its hydrogenated fat had a negative effect on blood cholesterol.

It would seem that replacing coconut oil (even palm oil) with hydrogenated vegetable oils, such as soybeans, is only beneficial to these edible oil industries and not its consumers. Unfortunately, coconut oil still continues to get a lot of criticism from alternative vegetable oil supporters despite the fact that these hydrogenated oils are not easily digested and is composed of toxic trans fatty acids. Today, almost all the foods we buy in the supermarket contains alternative hydrogenated vegetable oil.

So the health benefits of coconut oil remains unheard of in many areas of western society still. Fortunately, it is still used in many countries and its benefits are being revealed. In India, Panama, and even Jamaica, the coconut is seen as a health tonic for the heart and is consumed like a normal liquid supplement. In these countries the coconut oil is known for its health-giving properties and therapeutic benefits.

The properties and benefits of coconut oil

Coconut oil is a stable oil with a chemical composition of 92% saturated fat, 6% monounsaturated fat, and 2% polyunsaturated fat. The medium-chain fatty acid or medium-chain triglycerides in coconut oil makes it a healthier choice than fat that contains mostly long-chain fatty acids. This is because the MCFA is easily absorbed directly into the blood, and carried to the liver or converted to immediate energy.

Its fat is not stored like long-chain fatty acids which are converted into triglycerides in the intestine. Therefore, the MCFA from this oil is easily metabolized and poses no risk to clogging the arteries, because it does not require lipoproteins or special enzymes to utilize the fat by the body. The fatty acid composition of coconut oil is mostly capric acid, caprylic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, myristic acid, linoleic acid, and mainly lauric acid.

Lauric acid is a unique fat that is also found only in mother's milk. The fatty acids found in coconut oil has no harmful effects and can promote better health because it has antiviral, antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Coconut oil is stable and has a long shelf life; it could last up to three years. Also, at temperatures lower than 24.5 degrees C, it can convert to a white solid form. Therefore, coconut oil can stay fresher longer than any other polyunsaturated oils.

Here are some of the benefits of cooking with coconut oil: it can treat digestive or mal absorption problems; it can be used in commercial infant formulas; it reduces fat consumption and stimulates metabolism which can lead to weight loss; it helps regulate thyroid function, balance blood sugar level, increase energy, and promote overall heath. Therefore, coconut oil can help lower LDL cholesterol and prevent high cholesterol, arthritis, fibromyalgia, candida, herpes, allergies, psoriasis, influenza, diabetes, etc. It is an antibiotic, an immuno-enhancer and an immunoregulator.

The quality of the copra in a coconut used to make coconut oil varies. Therefore, it is important to distinguish between (unrefined) virgin coconut oil (VCO) from the refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD) coconut oil if you are interested in using it as an edible oil. VCO is the pure, unadulterated, form of the coconut oil. It is the healthiest form of coconut oil because it is made with the least possible processing from fresh coconut meat and with absolutely no chemicals. VCO is colourless, it has a mild coconut aroma, and a mild pleasant flavor. It retains most of the phytonutrients and chemical properties already mentioned. RBD coconut oil lacks most or all of these phytonutrients and is therefore of a lower quality than VCO.

The RBD coconut oil is a hydrogenated coconut oil. They are made from older coconuts (damaged or undamaged). The dried copra is generally exposed to the sun before processing and gather an appreciable amount of bacteria and mold. It is refined and sterilized to remove much of the contaminants. Sometimes chemicals are used to extract the greatest amount of oil from the copra. As a result, much of the needed phytonutrients are removed. A less refined or lower grade RBD oil may have a slight yellow color because of the unremoved traces of contaminants. RBD coconut oil may have a mild musty or chemical taste. Poor quality oil or rancid coconut oil can irritate the throat.

Conclusion

The health benefits derived from coconut oil, particularly VCO, is remarkable and is certainly a necessary tree of life. The evidence is before us. We have part of the reason for the increasing epidemic of obesity, heart problems and diabetes that is short changing the longevity of many people in the west. Perhaps, it is time for society to start going back to basics if they wish to see a drastic improvement in the overall health of all populations.

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