BOGGED DOWN BY FATIGUE?

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The Cleveland Clinic says that the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS) is not known. There is also no cure. The Clinic says however that “there is symptomatic therapy.” Funny that symptomatic therapy does exist for something like CFS which the medical community has a hard time pinpointing cause or cure.

Chronic fatigue syndrome, according to the Cleveland Clinic, may be related to underlying illnesses such as fibromyalgia, tension headaches, multiple chemical sensitivities, irritable bowel syndrome, atypical chest pains and others.

The occasional fatigue we feel after a hard day’s work or after a stressful life event like a divorce or death in the family is normal, but if it persists long after we’ve recovered from the initial “shock”, then it’s time to speak to your doctor. It may be just a symptom of another health problem like insomnia, thyroid irregularities, or chronic stress. CFS can also be an offshoot of depression or over-anxiety.

Tips: How to Combat Fatigue

Following these tips will help us minimize the debilitating consequences of frequent fatigue:

1. Make sure you get your full night’s sleep – 6-8 hours. To achieve this, it is important to go to bed at a fixed hour every night. Erratic bedtime hours are a sure fire way to rob you off quality sleep. Also, wake up at the same hour every morning. Have a consistent sleep schedule.
2. Being overloaded with work aggravates your fatigue, so learn to say no when you’re asked to take on more projects, even if these projects are things you enjoy. When you have too much work, your mind is racing and your adrenalin levels remain high. If you think you can catch up on your sleep on weekends, think again. As with health and fitness, people who are weekend athletes are not really doing their bodies a favor.
3. Review your eating habits. Making healthier changes in what you eat – incorporating more fruits and vegetables, legumes, fiber – can spell a huge difference. Cut back on fat-rich foods like cheese, desserts and red meat.
4. Take care of your body. Give it the physical TLC (tender loving care) it needs. Get plenty of fresh air and engage in exercise regularly. If your job requires you to work on your computer, take frequent breaks and walk during your lunch hour instead of sitting in the cafeteria gabbing away.
5. Identify your stress triggers. At the first sign of stress, learn to take a few steps back. Better yet, walk away from those situations that will only contribute to more fatigue.
   

Fatigue: Natural Treatments

We highly recommend natural treatments for fatigue that are made in the USA. This is your only assurance that the ingredients are pure and 100% natural.

Here are some examples:

• Energy boosters – these natural treatments such as Optimize Energy Booster and Beyond Energy work for you to help you combat stress, compensate for a poor diet and protect you from lifestyle habits. In addition, your mind becomes more alert, increasing your concentration skills.
• Plant adaptogens – Vaxa's Adapt Adaptogens help to combat stress which can cause fatigue. Adaptogens are herbs that were first found in Russia and given to Russian athletes so they perform better at competitions. Adaptogens help reduce stress, decrease levels of cortisol and sharpen concentration.
• Bee pollen products – millions now appreciate the beneficial properties of bee pollen concentrates and extracts. Super Bee Pollen by Dee Cee Labs is a great energy booster. The barks of trees contain bee propolis – a substance that not only eliminates fatigue but also boosts the immune system.
• B-vitamins – products with B-Complex vitamins such as Formula 34 as the main ingredients are particularly advantageous for people deficient in the B-vitamins. B-vitamins have the ability to deliver nutrients directly into the bloodstream and to help lower homocysteine levels which are identified as a precursor to cardiovascular problems.
• Multiple Vitamins - sometimes, you just don't know what nutrient you are missing. The best multiple vitamin we have seen is Intramax Organic Liquid Vitamin with over 400 nutrients to provide your body with almost everything it needs.
  

Natural Remedies for Diabetes

DIABETES CAN BE TREATED NATURALLY

How sugar and insulin work in our body determines our vulnerability to diabetes.  When our bodies are incapable of processing sugar efficiently, that means we’re having problems with our insulin.  Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. 

There are two known types of diabetes:

a)       Type I – or insulin-dependent diabetes - means that the pancreas is no longer producing insulin.  People diagnosed with type 1 diabetes exhibit the following symptoms:  thirst, frequent need to urinate (especially at night), difficulty breathing, sudden loss of weight, itching in the genital organs and sensitive feet.

b)      Type II – is non-insulin dependent diabetes which means that the body is rejecting insulin.  Symptoms are similar to type I diabetes, and may also include poor vision and unexplained fatigue.

Most cases of type I diabetes are diagnosed in young people while type II is more common among adults, those in the over-40 age group.

People who are overweight are likely candidates for diabetes type II.  They weigh 30% more than they should and their fat is concentrated around their waist.  When people weigh more than the normal weight recommended for their height, it puts pressure on the pancreas to produce more insulin.  And when this demand can no longer be met, diabetes develops. 

Diabetics usually have a family history of diabetes and tend to have poor eating habits.

Diabetes can be Treated Naturally

Thanks to modern science and particularly to innovation in the natural supplements industry, diabetes is no longer a life-threatening disease provided people take the necessary measures to follow a strict diet and exercise program.

It is important to consult your doctor if you suspect that you have early symptoms of diabetes. Your doctor will ask you to go through some tests to measure your blood sugar level.  People who follow their doctor’s advice about making some changes to their lifestyle, eating healthier and more balanced meals and exercising regularly don’t necessarily need to be on medication.

Whether or not you are diagnosed with diabetes or seem a likely candidate for diabetes, ask your doctor about taking natural supplements or natural remedies.  Chances are that for as long as these supplements don’t interfere with your prescription medication, you can take them. Because they’re natural, these dietary supplements won’t cause any side effects.

What I recommend is first, choose products that are made in the USA.  You are guaranteed that the ingredients are pure and have been processed according to existing standards for certified US laboratories.

Second, buy natural supplements, such as Vaxa Diabin that are effective processing of insulin and in glucose metabolism. Another great natural remedy for diabetes is GTF chromium.  GTF stands for glucose tolerance factor; it stimulates insulin performance in the body.  When our bodies are deficient in chromium, we become vulnerable to diabetes. 

Fourth, another good product to look for is one that contains cinnamon bark powder.  Cinnamon bark powder, according to ancient herbalists, can counter-act the effects of high sugar levels. Diabetic II patients who took products with cinnamon bark powder were able to reduce their fasting blood glucose and to decrease their triglycerides and cholesterol. This is also made as natural cinnamon bark capsules.

For more information, visit Natural Diabetes Remedies.

PROBIOTICS AND BODY CLEANSING AGENTS FOR DIGESTIVE ILLS

Gas and Bloating

Two common digestive ills people complain about are gas and bloating. These conditions are caused by the build-up of gas in our digestive tract which certain foods like beans and cabbage trigger. Not everyone will have a reaction after eating beans or cabbage, but those who do can experience digestive discomfort.

Our digestive tract can be thrown off kilter when we eat on the run, eat fat-rich foods, or if we suffer from a health problem like IBS. Other signs of indigestion include constipation, cramping in the stomach, nausea or decreased appetite.

While these types of digestive discomforts are not life threatening, you need to see your doctor if there is blood in your stool. You also need to tell your doctor if you’re vomiting regularly and experiencing excruciating pain.

Minimizing the Effects of Indigestion

There are some steps you can take to minimize the effects of poor digestion:

• Cut back on your caffeine intake. Instead switch to herbal teas (mint, peppermint, chamomile, fennel)
• If you have not been taking fiber with your diet before, do not suddenly add large quantities the first time. Add small amounts gradually.
• See if eating the following foods cause you to bloat or have excess gas: cauliflower, brussell sprouts, garlic, spices, cabbage. If they do, don’t eat them and see if your condition improves.
• Avoid drinking soft drinks, chewing gum, milk, smoking, or adding artificial sweeteners
• Do what millions of people do: take natural dietary supplements!

Natural Remedies for Digestive Problems

I once knew a lady who complained incessantly of stomach cramps and when someone suggested that she might have parasites, she went to the doctor to ask him if it was possible, considering that she hadn’t been anywhere. A few simple tests confirmed it. She then went to a herbalist to ask about parasitic cleansing solutions, because she was totally against taking strong prescription medication.

Fortunately for her, the natural parasitic cleansing kit she purchased eliminated many of the parasites that were in her system.

People aren’t aware that they can be infected with parasites even if they have not travelled outside the United States. Food and drink, our lakes and rivers, and exposure to infected humans others can trigger the spread of parasites.

It often times is important to get a natural parasite cleanse to rid the digestive system of harmful parasites.

Supplements with digestive enzymes like amylase, lipase, cellulose and others are also recommended. Find a product that contains papaya root. Since I’ve been in the dietary supplements industry for a few years now, I know of such products containing papaya root. Friends swear by papaya root.

I feel strongly about the need to take a full spectrum probiotic. Probiotic supplements not only kill harmful bacteria but also restore good bacteria so that our pH balance does not get disturbed by modern-day diets rich in fats and trans-fats. A good probiotic supplement can also support our immune system and protect our gut's lining, delivering the nutrients efficiently into our bloodstream.

Finally, I can't emphasize it enough: select products that are made in the USA. This is the only assurance you get if you’re after purity and integrity of ingredients.

Depression - Natural Depression Remedies

DEPRESSION

People are under the impression that depression is an illness that strikes more women than men. This is simply not true, and a considerable number of males also get depressed. There’s just one difference: perhaps men are not in the habit of talking about their depression even to loved ones. Women are more open about their feelings of depression, especially when they’re with friends who have suffered the same symptoms.

We ought to be able to tell the difference between depression and the “being down in the dumps” feeling. They’re not the same. In fact 99.9% of the population feel the occasional blues, accompanied by a lack of motivation and unexplainable lethargy. The blues, however, are temporary.

You could be feeling bad about something in particular and mope about for days, but you come back to your senses and snap out of it. It’s a simple case of melancholia triggered by something that really frustrated you. For instance, if you’ve been bypassed for a promotion, you were frustrated and resentful because it was a job that fit your skills to a T and you were sure that you were the top contender. The feeling of rejection is normal. It lasts for days – maybe even weeks – but after awhile you decide that life continues and you move on.

Depression is radically different. It feels like a cloud of darkness persistently hovers above you and you can’t make it go away. Depression is also of a longer duration and if left untreated, may deteriorate your quality of life.

Some people who are depressed don’t even know they are depressed; others accept it as part of life and experience the symptoms for two to three years. It is when they can no longer function and undergo changes in their personality that it becomes imperative for them to see their doctor.

Signs You Are Depressed

You may be depressed if you:

• Consistently have sad/morbid/suicidal thoughts
• Suffer from insomnia
• Have lost your passion for activities you were once passionate about (loss of interest lasting more than a month)
• Alienate yourself from friends and family
• Have lost your appetite or suddenly eating much more than usual
• Can’t concentrate or focus on your tasks
• Have been de-motivated for longer than a month
• Always feel tired
• Cry for no apparent reason
• Unable to control your anger
  

Depression: Known Causes

• Recent job loss
• Financial problems (bad credit, house foreclosure, etc)
• Divorce or death of a family member
• Stress on the job
• Other factors that can potentially cause depression are a family history of depression (or suicide), a disease that erodes quality of life, pregnancy, menopause, medication side effects, and change of seasons.
  

Take heart. If you’re opposed to prescription medication, there is one way you can help or prevent depression: taking natural antidepressant supplements regularly. It must be stressed, however, that if you or someone close to you believes that you are suffering from depression, don’t self-medicate. See your doctor right away. Only a medical professional specializing in mental problems can confirm whether or not you are depressed.

If your doctor says it is okay to take natural remedies for depression, choose supplements that have natural ingredients known for their anti-depression properties. An example is 5-HTP, a substance that restores and regulates serotonin. When the brain does not have enough serotonin, feelings of anxiety or depression can occur.

St. John’s Wort is a popular choice among depression sufferers. It became popular in Europe many years ago. If you’re on prescription medication, speak to your doctor first about St. John’s Wort as it may interfere with your treatment.

Choose anti-depression supplements that have been formulated with homeopathic principles in mind, are natural, and are made in the USA for product integrity. Deprex is a great natural product for depression. Many people have had very good results with Deprex by Vaxa.

Cardiovascular Health, Naturally

Today's blog is about the heart, specifically about heart health. The health of this vital organ depends largely on what we eat, drink and do. Our heart is a personal responsibility. The thing is, we could also use a bit of help either from our doctors or from natural products in the health and natural supplements industry because some heart problems develop which we can't control 100%.

When we speak of heart trouble, the vast majority of people think that the heart suffers only one problem, or that there's only one kind of trouble. One thing is clear: when the heart does not receive sufficient blood because the arteries are blocked, then that's when the problems start.The cardiovascular question then is not one question, but several. What I mean is that there are at least six types of heart problems. I'll give a brief description of each:

• Stroke - There's a heart and brain connection, and when this connection is not in synch, a stroke occurs. Someone gets a stroke when the blood vessels in the brain do not receive adequate oxygen because they are either blocked or impaired. This stroke can either be ischemic (it is a temporary condition usually lasting 24 hours) or permanent (clot or coronary thrombosis).
• Heart attack - a heart attack develops when the heart cannot pump enough blood for distribution to other parts of the body. Again, this means that basic heart functions are impaired or the heart muscles are damaged.
• Rheumatic heart disease - children aged between five and 15 years old get this condition when they are exposed to bacteria that cause rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can inflame the body's connective tissues, particularly the heart, joints, brain or skin. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, "about 60% of people with rheumatic fever develop some degree of subsequent heart disease." Rheumatic heart fever is, however, not an exclusively childhood disorder because it can affect adults later in life.
• Ischemic heart disease - this type of heart disease is prevalent in modern, industrialized societies. Signs of ischemic heart disease are blocked arteries, chest pain or shortness of breath. A total blockage can result, leading to damaged tissues or a heart attack.
• Peripheral vascular disease - known as PAD. It is a condition that develops when fat deposits accumulate in the arterial walls that impede blood circulation. The arteries leading to some vital organs like the stomach, kidneys and the extremities (hands and feet) are affected. Early symptoms are leg cramps, fatigue or pain in the buttocks during activity. PAD should be detected and treated early because those who are diagnosed with it are subject to a higher risk of death from heart attack and stroke.
• Congenital heart disease - this occurs at birth. The infant could be born with a hole in the heart affecting circulation. This is usually corrected by surgery. If not treated, this disease can lead to severe disability or death. Some of us mayhave heart problems and not even know it because for some heart conditions, there are no clear warning signs. This is why it is a good idea to have our hearts checked at least once a year. It is even more crucial to have these tests if we've been diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol.

I care about my heart, so I don't wait for a problem to start. I take natural supplements. Since they are 100% natural, they are more safe than traditional medicatons. Fact is, I'd rather be taking natural supplements than heart medication so I'm doing what I can now to stave off any potential problems.I carefully choose my heart dietary supplements.

The are several natural heart supplements that many people find effective:

• Cholesten LDL or CholestSure - naturlly lower LDL cholesterol
• HDL Booster - promote HDL Cholesterol (good cholesterol)
• Heart Supplement (Oral Chelation) - act as natural chelating agents
• intraMAX - supply over 415 vitamins and minerals in one product
• Omega 3 - contains molecularly distilled fish oil
• Resveratrol (red wine complex) - like drinking almost 50 glasses of red wine
• Anti-Oxin - provide antioxidant support

I don't think you'll find one product that will provide all the above, but because they're all natural, you can take two or three natural remedies at the same time without problems. For example, if you have high cholesterol, you can choose those supplements that are developed for lowering bad cholesterol and boosting good cholesterol and combine them with antioxidants or a product with all the required vitamins and minerals.

BLOOD SUGAR: ARE YOU HYPERGLYCEMIC OR HYPOGLYCEMIC?

Blood sugar problems such as Type 2 diabetes are becomming rampant in the America and the rest of the world. You must learn about blood sugar to understand how to naturally prevent and help blood sugar problems.

Monosachharides – also known as simple sugars – are sugars in your blood.  As long as your sugar levels are within the normal range, you should be fine.  Your body and brain are "in sync."  But when your sugar levels shoot up, you should start worrying.  When your sugar levels go down significantly, you should also be worried.  Depending on the severity of your sugar levels, your doctor may want to put you on medication that will keep your glucose levels balanced. 

There are two – actually three – conditions associated with blood sugar.  One is hyperglycemia.  It means that you have too much sugar.  Hypoglycemia, on the other hand, means that you don't have enough sugar. 

The third condition – euglycemia – is what we should all strive for.  It means our sugar levels fall within the normal range of 3.5 and 5.5 mmol/liter.  When your sugar level registers below 3.5, you have hypoglycaemia; when it registers above 7.0, you may be diagnosed with hyperglycaemia.  Being hyperglycemic all the time does not bode well for your health.  You could be a candidate for diabetes.

There are times when having low blood sugar is only temporary.  It can be triggered when you've skipped a meal and you feel very hungry.  It can also be triggered when you take certain kinds of medication on an empty stomach.  Generally, hypoglycemia symptoms are not as bad as hyperglycemia symptoms.  Hyperglycemia symptoms range from mild (hunger, sweating, numbness), to moderate (changes in mood, headaches, blurred vision, incoherent speech) to severe (failure to concentrate, prolonged confusion, losing consciousness, and even changes in personality).  

Natural Remedies for Blood Sugar Control

In the past, my blood sugar levels were not always consistent; that's because I lead a hectic life and tend to skip meals or eat on the run.  Or else I binge on sweets and sweet wine during special occasions – and then sugar blood levels go up.  I also noticed that my sugar levels would go up during the holidays.  I know I've overdone it because I feel some of the symptoms mentioned above.

I have always been careful with my blood sugar, though, because the last thing I want to have is diabetes.  What I've done in the last three years is taking natural remedies for hyperglycaemia to keep my glucose levels in check.  I'm extremely satisfied with the dietary supplements I've been taking.  They're all made in the USA so I am assured that the ingredients have been tested and formulated under rigorous lab conditions.

Since natual blood sugar supplements are 100% natural, there is minimal risk of experiencing any side effects often associated with prescription meds.  When looking for natural treatments for blood sugar and type 2 diabetes to stabilize glucose levels, look for products that stimulate proper utilization of insulin.  Also, be on the lookout for supplements that have GTF chromium as an active ingredient.  Chromium is an important factor for glucose tolerance. 

Another great supplement for blood sugar balance is cinnamon bark powder or, cinnamon bark capsules– most of the literature I've read suggests that cinnamon has been recognized as a natural treatment for type II diabetes because it can help lower blood sugar.

Many people have not heard of Gymnema Sylvestre. It has a strange name, but has been shown to help with blood sugar problems.

Whatever supplement you take, you should understand more about Insulin Resistance. Good luck and stay healthy.

Attend by Vaxa - Video Explanation

Attend is the natural ADD remedy by Vaxa. It is a homeopathic medicinal that helps adults or children with ADD or ADHD. Here, Leslie explains the benefits of Attend.

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