Free List of Fat Burning Foods
February 21, 2012 | 
Author This free list of fat burning foods will help you make the right choices to burn off more fat than you ingest by eating them. The fat burning secret to losing weight is to eat and drink until you are full and satisfied, choosing foods that burn more calories than you consume. This helps your body burn up the excessive stored fat.
This free list of fat burning foods contains mostly fruit and vegetables and if you compare it to other lists you will notice a definite trend. If you eat these fat burning foods and add a good exercise workout program to it you will increase your metabolism and burn calories at a faster rate even several hours after your exercise is done.
apples
apricots
artichokes
asparagus
beets
blackberries
blueberries
broccoli
Brussels sprouts
cabbage
cantaloupe
carrots
cauliflower
celery
cherries
chives
cod
corn
crabs
cranberries
cucumbers
eggplant
flounder
garlic
grapefruit
grapes
green beans
honeydew
kale
leeks
lemons
lettuce
limes
lobster
mangoes
mushrooms
nectarines
okra
onions
oranges
papaya
parsley
peaches
pears
peas
peppers
pineapple
prunes
pumpkin
radishes
raspberries
red cabbage
sauerkraut
scallions
spinach
squash
strawberries
string beans
tangerines
tomatoes
turnips
watermelon
A recent report from Michael Zemel, Professor of Nutrition and Medicine at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville reports, “If you compare a dairy-rich versus a dairy-poor diet you can nearly double the rate of weight and fat loss with the same level of calorie restriction.” It states that the calcium in dairy products can boost weight loss by increasing fat breakdown in fat cells. Therefore, dairy products could be termed as fat burning foods. These include milk, cheese and yogurt and might be considered a fat burning secret.
The best way to approach fat burning food is to start by implementing a sensible eating plan with the help of this free list of fat burning foods and begin an exercise workout program that you enjoy and will stick with.
Copyright © 2005 Treadmill Info.com All Rights Reserved.
What Causes Acid Reflux – Do You Know What Causes Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux mainly occurs when foods or the digestive juices escape from the stomach and reach the food pipe. We have to make sure that the stomach has enough acid at meal time to digest the food easily. There are many foods that cause acid reflux. Apart from the food we take there are many other factors that can cause this disease.
The factors that cause acid reflux include:
Different foods have different effects on people. Anyhow it is good to avoid these foods. These include coffee, alcohol, spicy foods, fatty foods, chocolate, dairy products and fruit juices.
Smoking increases the acid inside the stomach. This may cause burning in the chest and food pipe.
Eating too much is what causes heartburn. The acid produced to break down the excess food increases and some of it gets back into the food pipe. Also, eating large amounts of food before going to bed is not good. It is better to keep the head in a raised position while sleeping.
The type of clothing you wear is also important. Wearing tight fitting clothes around the waist puts extra pressure on the stomach and pushes the contents up towards the esophagus.
Give your body at least two hours to digest your food properly. Never lie down immediately after eating a large meal. Eat smaller portions of food at each mail. Obesity otherwise called overweight, can also increase the abdominal pressure. If you are overweight, reduce the amount of food that you eat at each meal.Exercise daily so that it helps you to reduce weight.
Never eat while you are feeling anxious or nervous. Eat only after you feel relaxed.
Avoid alcoholic drinks which reduce the digestive power of the stomach.
Other foods that cause acid reflux include citrus fruits such as limes, lemons, grapefruits, tomatoes and oranges.
Chocolate is also very high in acid content and typically causes acid reflux.
Anything fried for example fried chicken, French fries, potato chips, corn chips should be avoided.
Packaged foods and junk foods should definitely be avoided. Many meats are high in fat and should be avoided.
Some spices that you add to your foods can cause heartburn. For example Peppers and chili peppers can irritate the lining of the food pipe.
It is always good to consult a doctor before starting with a new diet plan. Always keep track of what you eat. If you have already experienced the disease try to avoid those food items as much as possible. Mostly people go for natural cures which is cheap and best. Try to understand what causes acid reflux. Cure is always secondary when compared to prevention.
Severe Acid Reflux
If not treated, severe acid reflux can result in some very serious problems. This is why managing acid reflux disease is so important. Here we look at some conditions that can be a result of severe acid reflux and also some suggestions for managing acid reflux disease.
Severe acid reflux can lead to esophagitis. The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Muscles in the lower esophagus normally prevent stomach acid from coming back up into the esophagus, but when a person suffers from mild, moderate or severe acid reflux, the muscles do not stop the acid from entering the esophagus and this stomach acid can cause pain and inflammation of the esophagus, which is caused esophagitis. Managing acid reflux disease is all about preventing acid from leaking back up into the esophagus.
Sometimes, when severe acid reflux damages the lining of the esophagus, scarring and narrowing of the esophagus occurs. This scarring and narrowing is called strictures and can prevent food and liquids from reaching the stomach. Since strictures affect the ability to eat and drink, it must be treated by stretching and enlarging the esophagus to prevent other health problems that can arise from a lack of proper nutrition. Managing acid reflux disease, before it becomes severe can prevent damage to the esophagus, thus preventing strictures from forming.
In cases where severe acid reflux results in esophagitis, esophageal bleeding or ulcers may occur. A condition called Barrett’s esophagus can develop. The symptoms of Barrett’s esophagus are the same as those of severe acid reflux. By properly managing acid reflux disease, the chance of developing Barrett’s esophagus is reduced. People with Barrett’s esophagus have cellular changes in the esophagus that may lead to cancer. The major risk factors for esophageal cancer are considered to be smoking, Barrett’s esophagus, alcoholism and severe acid reflux.
There are lifestyle changes that are considered helpful in managing acid reflux disease. If you are a smoker, nicotine relaxes the muscle that normally prevents acid from backing up into the esophagus and dries out saliva in the mouth and throat which normally helps neutralize stomach acid. And, smoking increases your risk of developing esophageal cancer. Anyone who suffers from severe acid reflux should not smoke.
Changes in eating habits will be helpful in managing acid reflux disease. When the stomach is overly full, acid is more likely to back up into the esophagus. Eating several small meals per day is a better choice for managing acid reflux disease, than is eating one or two large meals per day. Eating before bedtime may cause nighttime heartburn or acid reflux, which can interfere with sleep and cause other problems. Experts recommend that you eat your last meal several hours before bedtime. Raising the head of the bed is also recommended for managing acid reflux disease, particularly when symptoms occur at night. However, some people sleep through nighttime symptoms, so this could be helpful for anyone. Special wedges may be purchased, but some doctors say that these may “fold” the stomach and make symptoms worse and suggest that simply raising the head or lowering the foot of the bed is best.
There are many suggestions for managing acid reflux disease. Your doctor can probably recommend more, including avoiding certain foods and beverages (like alcohol) that increase stomach acid. Anyone who suffers from severe acid reflux should see their doctor regularly, take recommended prescription or over the counter medications and report new or worsening symptoms. For more information about acid reflux and other digestive problems, visit www.digestive-disorders-guide.com
Chronic Sore Throat – Causes and Natural Treatment
Some people pick up a recurring sore throat, whilst others rarely or never succumb to this condition. Let’s have a look at some of the common causes of a persistent sore throat:
Low immunity
The resistance of your body to disease, can determine how often you get a recurring sore throat. If you have poor immunity you are more likely to pick up infections and their accompanying symptoms. Your immune system can be suppressed by a poor diet, stress, smoking, an underlying disease or a genetic weakness.
Chronic viral infection
Some viruses are latent viruses that remain in the body for life, and can be reactivated when you are run down or under stress. Examples are the Epstein Barr virus that causes mononucleosis or glandular fever, and the herpes virus that causes recurrent cold sores and ulcers. When these viruses recur infective symptoms like a painful throat, fever and malaise are common.
Chronic bacterial infection
Bacteria like Chlamydia pneumonia, mycoplasma and Rickettsia can cause low grade infections which last for years. These bacteria live inside your cells and are difficult to eradicate from the body. A combination of conventional and natural medicine is the best approach.
Chronic fungal infection
A persistent sore throat can be triggered by a thrush or Candida. These infections are characterized by white patches on the inside of the mouth and throat. Candida infections are common in those with suppressed immunity.
Allergy
Food and environmental allergens like pollen, mold, dust mite and animal dander are common throat irritants that can trigger throat pain and inflammation.
Food and chemical sensitivities
Sensitivities to particular foods and chemicals are well known causes of respiratory symptoms like runny nose, sneezing and an irritated throat. Chemicals like chlorine, cleaning agents, nail polish, pesticides, glues, petrol and aerosol sprays are common triggers.
Reflux
If your throat is worse in the morning it may be due to reflux. Acid travels up from the stomach into the esophagus, and if the esophageal valve is weak, the acid can irritate the back of the throat.
Overuse of the voice
Strain of the vocal chords can result in a persistent painful throat. This is commonly seen in teachers, singers and presenters. Voice training can reduce this condition.
Tumors
A recurrent sore throat which is accompanied by weight loss, a lump in the throat, blood in the phlegm and voice hoarseness may point to a throat tumor. Excess alcohol and smoking can contribute to throat cancers.
Mouth breathing
People who breathe through their mouth or those with sleep apnea often complain of a constant sore throat.
Dry air
Dry air like that found in heated homes or offices can dry out the mucous membranes of the throat, leaving it prone to irritation. A humidifier or some natural plants can help maintain a good moisture content of the air and minimize throat soreness.
Drug reactions
Certain medications can trigger adverse side effects in some people. If you suspect your medication may be causing your chronic sore throat then discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist.
Emotional blocks
Recently there has been a resurgence in the belief that our emotions can trigger recurrent health problems. In the case of a constant sore throat, there may be a block in the ability to stand up for oneself, express thoughts and to reveal true emotions. If you think there may be an emotional component in your health problems it is worth chatting to a counselor or NLP practitioner.
Chronic sore throat treatment
Fortunately, through general lifestyle practices like a healthy diet, stress reduction, regular exercise, pinpointing allergens and sensitivities and boosting immunity through nutrients, herbs and emotional support, most of these triggers for chronic sore throats can be eliminated.
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Ginseng Side Effects
The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. However, herbs contain active substances that can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision of a practitioner knowledgeable in the field of botanical medicine.
Possible side effects of Ginseng have a reasonably good safety record. The most common side effects are nervousness and excitability that usually decrease after the first few days. The ability to concentrate may be decreased, and blood sugar may decrease to abnormally low levels. Because ginseng has an estrogen-like effect, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take it. Occasionally, there have been reports of more serious side effects, such as asthma attacks, increased blood pressure, palpitations, and, in postmenopausal women, uterine bleeding. To many people, ginseng tastes unpleasant.
Both American and Asian ginsengs are stimulants and may cause nervousness or sleeplessness, particularly if taken at high doses. Other reported side effects include high blood pressure, insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, euphoria, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, nosebleed, breast pain and vaginal bleeding.
Siberian ginseng may cause nervousness and restlessness in some individuals. In rare cases, Siberian ginseng may cause mild diarrhea. Siberian ginseng is not recommended for individuals with very high blood pressure. It may cause insomnia in some people if taken too close to bedtime. IF symptoms like breathing problems, tightness in the throat or chest, chest pain, skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin develop, the use of taking Siberian ginseng may be stopped.
There have been reports that Asian ginseng may possibly decrease the effectiveness of the blood-thinning medication. Warfarin when taken with ginseng may inhibit platelet activity. Aspirin may not interact well either. Consult with your physician before taking any herbal supplement. The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has rated ginseng as a class 2d herb and specific restrictions apply.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey Remedy
The health benefits of the apple cider vinegar and honey drink are widely known. This recipe has traditionally been used as an at-home self remedy for many ailments, and even an anti-aging elixir. Many people have smartly made use of its cleansing and disinfecting properties to self-detoxify their body. It is seen as a powerful cleansing agent and natural healing elixir with naturally occurring antibiotic and antiseptic that fights germs and bacteria.
Alkaline-Forming Diet
So, how does this vinegar and honey remedy actually work? A person’s bloodstream tends toward becoming acidic with our modern diet of fats, starches and processed foods, (e.g fast foods, meats, peanuts, seafoods, alcohol and coffee)and if your body is acidic, disease can flourish; if it is alkaline, it is in balance and can fight off germs and ailments such as bladder and kidney conditions, osteoporosis, brittle bones, joint pains, aching muscles, low energy and chronic fatigue, and slow digestion. Raw fruits, leafy green vegetables, legumes, and tea are examples of alkaline forming foods. Interestingly and ironically, a food’s acid or alkaline-forming tendency in the body has nothing to do with the actual pH of the food itself. For instance, lemons and limes are very acidic, however the end-products they produce after digestion and assimilation are very alkaline so lemons and limes are alkaline-forming in the body. Likewise, meat will test alkaline before digestion but it leaves very acidic residue in the body so, like nearly all animal products, meat is very acid-forming. It is important to know that stomach acid or the pH of the stomach is an entirely different matter from the pH of the body’s fluids and tissues. The body has an acid-alkaline (or acid-base) ratio called the pH which is a balance between positively charges ions (acid-forming) and negatively charged ions (alkaline-forming). When this balance is compromised many problems can occur. The body is forced to borrow minerals-including calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium from vital organs and bones to neutralize the acid and safely remove it from the body. And severe damage can be done to the body due to high acidity. Ideally, for most people, the ideal diet is 75 percent alkalizing and 25 percent acidifying foods by volume. Allergic reactions and other forms of stress also tend to produce excessive acids in the body.
The alkalinity of apple cider vinegar can correct excess acidity in our system and help prevent and fight infection. Honey added to the vinegar naturally makes the mixture more drinkable for people. And the good news is that unprocessed raw honey has been classfified as an alkaline-forming food. (Processed honey is only little acidifying and artifical sweetener is very acidifying). When you first drink the apple cider vinegar formula, it might taste horrible to you, but as your body becomes less acidic and more alkaline, it would begin to taste good. The ailments that could be cured by this apple cider vinegar and honey treatment include:
1. Premature aging
2. Obesity
3. Food poisoning
4. Heat exhaustion
5. Heartburn
6. Brittle nails
7. Bad breath
8. Arthritis
9. High blood pressure
10. High cholesterol level
Try this healthy and refreshing vinegar and honey drink! Essentially, to prepare:
* Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a tablespoon of raw honey. (Apple cider vinegar is actually made from fresh, organic, crushed apples that are allowed to mature naturally in wooden barrels, but you can get it easily from the grocery shops or supermarkets.)
* Dissolve in a glass of chilled water.
* Take it twice daily.
Note: For this vinegar and honey remedy, do not get commercial distilled vinegars as they do not contain the same health values of organic, raw apple cider vinegar. The powerful enzymes and minerals like potassium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, sulphur, iron copper, fluorine, silicon, pectin and natural malic and tartaric acids, which are important in fighting body toxins and inhibiting bacteria growth, are all destroyed during the distilling process.
Foods that Promote Inflammation
“The more severe the pain or illness, the more severe will be the necessary changes. These may involve breaking bad habits, or acquiring some new and better ones.” -Peter McWilliams
You are not helpless in your fight against inflammation! Your diet plays a major role in activating or suppressing a protein called cytokines that causes inflammation. I can’t stress this enough. For that and other reasons that will be discussed shortly, I would like you to start thinking in terms of: “Is what I’m swallowing making me healthier or sicker?” There is little if any neutral ground. It is as if everything that you swallow is sending a signal to your immune system to either cause more inflammation or less.
The following are groups of foods that you should avoid because they send a signal to your body to produce more inflammatory cytokines. They are also toxic to your body in multiple ways, polluting the internal terrain of the body and promoting inflammation.
Most Meat, Except Oily Fish
We often hear the phrase “all things in moderation”. Meat, especially red meat, is an exception to this rule. Even what most would consider a “moderate” amount of red meat can produce an intolerable number of cytokines and bring on autoimmune symptoms.
For some, the “low-carb craze” has meant an increase in meat consumption. If eating the low-carb way means that you are eating a lot of meat, you are making your autoimmune condition worse. Protein from meat raises the levels of the toxins uric acid and urea in the blood. The body pumps excessive amounts of water into the kidneys to help flush out these toxins. The result of a high animal-based protein diet is very quick water “weight loss”. The downside of this “weight loss” is that it causes the body to lose essential minerals. Mineral deficiencies cause autoimmunity. A better protein choice comes from vegetable-based proteins. These proteins improve mineral retention in the body.
One doctor has reported that within two weeks of his lupus patients not eating meat, most showed significant improvement in their skin lesions.
The Swank Diet calls for giving up red meat for one year. Then, after the first year, allowing yourself four ounces of red meat per week. This diet has made a significant improvement in the lives of people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Dr. Swank studied more than 150 of his patients with MS for a thirty-four year period of time. Those who followed the diet died at the rate of 5%, while patients not following his diet had a death rate of about 85% during the same time period.
However, reducing meat intake isn’t just about living longer, it is about living well! This recommendation is for everyone, not just those whose collection of autoimmune symptoms are called lupus or MS. No matter where in your body cytokines gather or what they are attacking, eating red meat will increase their numbers. The way that meat is prepared also makes a difference. Charbroiled and grilled meats of any kind are much worse for you and should be completely avoided.
Fish is the exception to the meat rule. Fish does not raise cytokine levels. It actually reduces them. The problem is that much of our fish is contaminated with toxic mercury. Unless you are sure that your fish source is mercury free, you should limit your fish intake to one serving per week and use fish oil supplements instead. Some people will even be sensitive to one contaminated serving of fish. Check your local health food stores for fish farmed in “mercury-free” tested water. Additionally, salmon is a fish that is readily available and least likely to be mercury contaminated.
Egg Yolks
Egg yolks and dairy products are high in arachidonic acid. This is the same substance that makes meats so inflammatory. If you are going to eat eggs, you should only eat the whites. On a food label, eggs can be listed as albumin, globulin, ovamucin, or vitellin.
Dairy Products
“…countries with the highest dairy consumption, such as the United States and Sweden, because of their high animal protein diets, have the highest rates of osteoporosis, a disease involving the weakening and potential breaking of bones.”
-Richard Schwartz, Ph.D.
Research published in the Lancet Medical Journal described a small group of patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) in Norway. For four years, they experienced substantial improvement by excluding milk and wheat from their diets. Reintroducing these foods into their diets caused a significant rise in the patients’ cytokine levels along with an increase in pain.
Besides increasing cytokines, milk further aggravates asthma because of its casein content. When the protein of another animal is introduced into the human body, the immune system responds with an allergic reaction. Casein is a milk protein. Eating casein causes your body to produce histamines, which result in excess mucus production.
Those with CFS and asthma are not alone in their sensitivity to milk. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, July 30, 1992, studies suggest that a certain milk protein is responsible for the onset of diabetes because patients produce antibodies to cow milk proteins.
Milk’s vices are many. As strange as it may sound, the digestion of milk proteins can create an addictive substance that acts like endorphins, our own personal narcotics. The same can be true of gluten and wheat. These endorphins have the ability to disrupt brain chemistry and cause addiction.
I am sorry, but this has to be said: Last year, the average liter of milk in America contained 323 million pus cells. Sick and infected cows have cell counts above 200 million. A count of 323 million is not even healthy by dairy industry standards. Drinking pus is a bad idea for anyone. It is a terrible idea for someone with a tendency towards immune dysfunction.
Gluten
Gluten is a component of grains such as wheat, oats, barley, and rye. Besides being inflammatory, doctors have reported a higher than average number of people with autoimmune disorders are allergic to gluten. They suggest complete avoidance for at least one month to see if benefits will occur.
Studies have also shown that wheat and corn can irritate patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and raise cytokine production in the colon and rectum of those with celiac disease.
Corn, Corn Oil, Corn Syrup (Fructose)
Corn, besides promoting cytokines, has been called the leading cause of chronic food addiction in this century. To give you an idea of how powerful the addiction can be, all cigarettes made in the U.S. since World War I have contained added sugars, usually from corn. Do you think the cigarette companies chose corn syrup for the great taste it adds to their products?
Corn syrup (fructose) is cheap and twice as sweet as cane sugar. In 1994, the average person ate 83 pounds of fructose. Corn syrup causes an increase in blood lactic acid, especially in people with diabetes. Fructose from corn syrup inhibits copper metabolism and decreases mineral availability, two factors in autoimmunity. Fructose also breaks down into a substance that weakens your body’s natural anti-inflammatory molecules. The body does not metabolize fructose the same as other sugars. Fructose converts to fat more than any other sugar. Corn fructose certainly isn’t the diabetic-friendly and harmless sugar substitute that it is advertised to be.
Studies have shown that corn can irritate patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) suggests corn should be avoided because it can aggravate Fibromyalgia.
Remember that if corn products can increase cytokine levels in those with RA and Fibromyalgia, it can increase cytokine levels for anyone.
Sugar
We Americans are eating an average of 153 pounds of sugar a year. Refined white sugar makes
it more difficult for your body to absorb vitamins and minerals, a major contributor to the cause of autoimmunity. Sugar also suppresses immune function, leaving us open to infection. Just eight tablespoons of sugar, which is the equivalent to the sugar in less than one 12-ounce can of soda, can reduce the ability of your immune system to kill germs by up to 40%.
Like salt, sugar is dehydrating to the body. Dehydration increases histamine, which can
worsen asthma and any other autoimmune disease because histamine increases cytokine production. As recommend by the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA), sugars should be avoided because they can worsen the condition. Sugar feeds Lyme-causing bacteria and Candida yeast, the significance of which will be discussed later. Eating sugar also causes an insulin surge, which contributes to chronic inflammation.
Honey is sugar. It may be “all natural”, but it is still sugar. It is higher in calories than table sugar and can be contaminated by pesticides. Consuming “all natural” delicious tasting pesticides is not what you want to be doing.
A good non-toxic substitute for sugar is the nutritional supplement stevia. Stevia has been used by millions of people without reported side effects. In Japan, stevia sweetened products represent 41% of the market share of sweet substances consumed.
Stevia is an herb originally from Paraguay. South Americans use it as a sweetener and also for medicinal purposes. This herb is anywhere from 30 to 100 times sweeter than sugar. Stevia does not affect the blood sugar levels of most diabetics. Stevia also does not feed fungus in the intestines like sugars do.
Stevia has a strong, sweet flavor that can overwhelm a recipe, so it should be used sparingly. Because you only use such a small amount at a time, recipes must be adjusted for the lack of bulk. Stevia can often be purchased with helpful inulin added to it for bulk. Also, cakes and cookies sweetened with stevia do not brown as much as their sugar-sweetened counterparts.
Flour/Processed Foods
For you simple carbohydrate-lovers (addicts), the next sentence is going to be one of the most painful ones in the book. If you want to get rid of cytokine inflammation, you must give up processed foods and junk foods. They tend to be full of everything you shouldn’t eat. This list includes most breakfast cereals, muffins, breads, crackers, cookies, and doughnuts.
White flour contains alloxan, which is the chemical used to make flour look clean and white. Alloxan destroys the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. It does so by initiating free radical damage to the DNA in the pancreas. Researchers believe that some people have weak defenses to free radicals in these beta cells. Alloxan is so potent that researchers who study diabetes use it to give diabetes to lab animals. While not everyone who eats white breads and processed foods will get diabetes, the connection is clear: Alloxan causes diabetes in those genetically susceptible to the disease.
The Nightshade Family
Vegetables in the nightshade family include white potatoes, tomatoes, all peppers, cherries, tobacco, and eggplants. Research indicates that these vegetables produce pain and inflammation in arthritis patients and aggravate Fibromyalgia according to the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA). However, not everyone will be sensitive to nightshade foods. The only way to know for sure is to avoid them for a period of weeks then reintroduce them into your diet.
Everyone should avoid tobacco, which is a toxic member of the nightshade family, permanently.
Coffee
Despite being inflammatory, coffee has had its medicinal purposes. My own ancestors used it to treat asthma. I have friends outside the U.S., who are still dependent upon coffee to treat asthma. Certain caffeine-type chemicals in coffee have been proven effective at stimulating bronchial dilation in people diagnosed with specific types of asthma. Some modern day asthma medications are even made from chemicals in the caffeine family.
For those using coffee as a natural asthma medication, you should keep in mind that caffeine is a toxic chemical. Its purpose in plant life is to act as an insecticide. In people, caffeine suppresses the enzymes needed for memory making. It also raises both blood sugar and insulin levels, causing cytokine production and aggravating diabetes.
Simply drinking decaffeinated coffee isn’t the answer either. Women who drink more than one cup a day of decaffeinated coffee are considered at a much higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. The theory is that chemically decaffeinated products are causing the increased risk of autoimmunity. If you are going to drink decaffeinated coffee anyway, be sure that it uses a non-chemical based decaffeinating method and that the coffee was organically grown. Those who do not drink organic coffee, are exposed to too many man-made pesticides.
Alcohol
The wine industry has America convinced that a glass or two a day is good for your heart. However, John Folts, Ph.D of the University of Wisconsin, has done studies, which show that to receive those heart-healthy benefits, you would have to consume enough wine to be declared legally drunk. Grape juice is a healthier alternative. Dr. Folt’s study also found that only ten to twelve ounces of purple grape juice was associated with lower blood clotting, thus a lower risk of heart disease than promised by red wine.
Besides being pro-inflammatory and addictive, alcohol breaks down to a toxin in the body called aldehyde. Toxins are dangerous chemicals that the liver does not recognize as useful. Toxins attack and destroy cells and attract germs. Aldehyde accumulates in the brain, spinal cord, joints, muscles and tissues, where it causes muscle weakness, irritation, and pain.
Conclusion
“Within each of us lies the power of our consent to health and sickness … It is we who control these, and not another.”
-Richard Bach
It is up to us as individuals to read labels and avoid those foods that are causing inflammation in the body and making us sick. With many of these foods, because you consume them on a daily basis, you don’t even recognize they are causing you symptoms. Unless you totally give them up for a month or so, you won’t know how these inflammatory foods have been affecting you.
Diet Control for Hiatus Hernia
When the esophageal opening, also called diaphragmatic hiatus, becomes weaker, the upper part of the stomach is allowed to push through and reach the chest cavity. This type of condition is called hiatus hernia and one can live with it for a long time if the diet and life-style is controlled and no possible complications like the gastroesophageal reflux disease occur.
Gastroesophageal reflux appears when the lower esophageal sphincter is weakened by the action of the hiatus hernia. In normal conditions, the diaphragmatic hiatus and the lower sphincter of the esophagus work together to maintain the physiological position of the stomach inside the abdomen. The low esophageal sphincter is meant to connect the stomach with the esophagus and in case of a hiatus hernia, a gastric reflux can occur.
Hiatus hernia causes gastric acid and other stomach contents to remain above the esophageal opening and easily reflux into the esophagus causing heartburn.
Heartburn is the main symptom of a hiatus hernia as about 50% of the patients diagnosed show no other signs of the condition. Therefore, knowing how to control the symptoms of a gastric reflux through the diet might be very useful in keeping the disease under control.
The diaphragmatic opening and its membranes is believed to act as an additional sphincter, controlling together with the lower esophageal sphincter the position of the stomach. In case of hiatus hernia, acid and gastric contents are retained above the hiatus and can easily get back into the esophagus causing the principal symptom of the condition, heartburns.
Patients suffering from hiatus hernia must necessarily change their eating habits and replace large meals with more frequent but smaller content meals. A condition of avoiding heartburn during sleep is to have the last meal at least two hours before lying down. Bending over right is strictly forbidden after eating as it can easily provoke a stomach reflux. Persons with hiatus hernia must learn to stay up and move around about one hour after meal in order to stimulate nutrients to get into the stomach and be more rapidly digested.
All persons with hiatus hernia have observed in time the bad influence of some foods that act as triggers of heartburn; such food might be alcohol, vinegar, fruits and others. Smoking is also one of the most dangerous actions for a hiatus hernia patient. A list should be available to you so you can see what you should eat, what you should avoid and what you must moderately consume. The best advice is the one coming from your own body as you may be sensible to products that other patients with the same condition. The reverse situation is also possible and you might be able to eat some foods without sharing the symptoms with other patients. A planning diary with foods you eat and symptoms you experience could be helpful to direct you to the appropriate diet.
Have You Tried the Acid Reflux Banana Treatment?
There are different ways to treat acid reflux symptoms, regardless of the cause. While some treatments involve the use of medications, other treatments take a more natural approach such as the acid reflux banana treatment.
Aside from being a really tasty and nutritious fruit high in vitamins and minerals, bananas contain virtually no fat, sodium, or cholesterol. For this reason, bananas are not only an integral part of a healthy diet, they can be used as a natural remedy to treat and prevent a number of health issues including, insomnia, depression, anemia, hypertension, and heartburn.
How exactly can a banana help with heartburn? Bananas have a natural antacid effect on the body. They primarily suppress acid secretion in the stomach by coating and protecting the stomach from acid, which helps against the formation of stomach ulcers and ulcer damage.
There are two ways in which the antacid property of a banana helps suppress acid:
Firstly, bananas contain a substance that encourages the activation of the cells that make up the lining of the stomach. As a result, a thicker mucus barrier is formed to provide the stomach with more protection against acid.
Secondly, bananas feature compounds called “protease inhibitors”, which help to eliminate certain bacteria within the stomach that have been found to contribute to the development of stomach ulcers.
How can I add bananas to my diet? If you would like to help prevent heartburn by incorporating bananas, try eating a banana a half-hour before a meal, or directly after a meal. Some GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) sufferers also find eating a banana during a meal or half a banana before and after a meal beneficial. It’s also a good idea to eat a banana when heartburn symptoms appear.
If the idea of eating a plain banana doesn’t thrill you, there are more fun and tasty ways you can add bananas to your diet. The following are some suggestions:
Eat dried banana or mashed banana as a snack
Cut up a fresh banana or use dried banana pieces and add it to cereal, yogurt, and salads
Make a banana smoothie with live cultured yoghurt
Banana shake (if you are allergic to milk and milk products, substitute with soy milk)
Banana split – go easy on the ice cream
Banana bread
Banana muffins
Banana cake
Fruit bowl (excluding citrus fruits)
Banana sandwich with cinnamon
Here are a few other facts to keep in mind when making banana recipes:
Bananas with green tips are best used for cooking or should be left to ripen before eating.
Bananas with yellow tips are best for eating
Bananas that are browning or have dark brown or black specks are ideal for baking (Note: the more ripe the banana, the sweeter it will be because the starch has turned to sugar, making it better for baking)
Bananas are the most popular fruit in America, are available all year round, and are low in cost, so it shouldn’t be too difficult for you to make acid reflux banana remedies part of your regular diet. However, it is important that you eat bananas according to your lifestyle requirement. Keep in mind that Bananas are high in sugar. Thus, if you are eating more than one banana per day, you do need to burn off the energy you are providing your body to maintain a healthy body weight. Also, refrain from eating bananas close to bedtime because acid reflux can still occur when you are sleeping as the lower esophagus sphincter relaxes.
IBS and Acid Reflux
IBS and acid reflux are related. About three months ago, I started having this problem; I had gas with unbelievable pain, not to mention the pendulum swing from constipation to diarrhea. That gas problem was most embarrassing.
The pain was so bad I had to quickly excuse myself and go find some isolated site. That is not always easy to do at the office. And, it certainly isn’t easy to talk about. Fortunately, there are some natural cures for this ailment that I will share with you and I’ll also share some of the causes of IBS and acid reflux.
What Is IBS?
What is IBS? The medical profession doesn’t really know what causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome. There are a variety of symptoms that accompany IBS and that are linked with IBS. A person suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome can experience anyone of the following symptoms or all of them.
• Gas (flatulence) sometimes accompanied by bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Stomach rumblings
• Severe heartburn
• Indigestion
These are all symptoms of IBS. Not surprisingly, all of these symptoms are common to both IBS and acid reflux.
Diet is one probable cause of these symptoms. Foods that your body does not digest well can aggravate the problem. Stress has also been linked with IBS. Continuous intake of medication like ibuprofen and anti-biotics can make IBS worse. Diet and stress are common to both IBS and acid reflux.
Friday Night
Sometimes life gets the best of you. It shouldn’t, but you and I know that it does. There are bills to pay. The kids need new shoes. Winter is coming and the heating bills are on the rise. The economy just won’t let up. Millions of people are out of a job. What’s this world coming to?
My Dad would always say, “You know, son, there’s always Friday night.” My Dad grew up during the depression. So I know that he must have known something about how to pick up your spirits. I’m still not exactly sure what my Dad was telling me. Still, I knew then that he knew something that I didn’t. I know you will find these tips helpful, useful, and maybe even amusing!
Laughter
The best cure for most ailments even physical ones is laughter. The medical profession has conducted studies that show laughter speeds up the recovery of patients. Yes, I know if your spirit is down how are going to laugh. Well, it’s easy. Force yourself to go to the library or your local bookstore. Find a joke book. Yes, a joke book.
Soon, and I can almost guarantee it, you will start to smile and then maybe laugh. Another good way to make yourself laugh is to rent a good comedy; you know one of those old slapstick comedies like Abbot and Costello or Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin. You have never heard of them? Then, you are in for a treat!
UCLA’s Center for Neurovisceral Sciences and Women’s Health conducted studies that have led researchers to speculate that life stress plays an important role in contributing to heartburn and other gastrointestinal symptoms which includes IBS. Reduce your stress level; laugh a little.
Physical Activity
Here’s another. Make an effort to do something outside. Take a walk; cut the grass; just do something. It does not matter what. So long as it’s something physical; it doesn’t have to be heavy work, just physical.
Why? By making the body concentrate on doing a task we naturally focus on something other than whatever it is that is making us feel blue. I noticed that whenever my wife and I had a disagreement, the house was cleaner and the yard neater. Most often, by the end of the day all was well.
Pick Up Your Spirits
Finally, there’s spirits, the tangible liquid kind, the kind that you pour from a bottle. Now this is certainly unconventional advice and it is not for everyone. It’s the only form of medication that I will take if my spirits are down. Do you know why they are called spirits?
Think about it this way. You take a living thing, a grape, some other fruit, or maybe some barley and you let it die. You add a little yeast. Up rises the spirit of the fruit or of the barley. And, voila, you have spirits. More often than not, they will raise your spirits or at the very least you won’t care. Just don’t overdo it and you certainly do not want to drive, having a nice glass or two while sitting by the fire never hurt anyone.
What it all comes down to is, of course, a state of mind. Laughter will change your outlook the moment you exhale that unique sound. A short trip to the bookstore, library, or video rental can change your attitude. Even doctors recommend it. Isn’t it an investment worth making?
Getting caught up in some physical activity works well to calm our minds and consequently lift our spirits. Accomplishing a simple task gives our bodies and our brains a boost. And, of course there is the elixir of the gods. As my Dad would say, “A little wine or a couple of beers never hurt anybody.” I wonder if that is what he meant by, “…there’s always Friday night.”
If you have IBS chances are you suffer from heartburn or acid reflux. IBS and acid reflux go hand in hand. You can overcome most gastrointestinal maladies naturally and holistically. Of course, you should always consult with your doctor before you try any specific procedures or medications.
IBS and acid reflux are curable. There is hope.