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Ashwagandha Health Benefits You Should Know

Posted in: Nutrition | January 3, 2021

The Benefits of Ashwagandha – Dr. Eric Berg DC

9 Reasons to Include Ashwagandha in Your Health Regimen

MERCOLA – Articles by Dr. Mercola
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an herb that’s been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Known as Rasayana in Ayurveda, ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that enhances your body’s ability to withstand stress and is considered to be a rejuvenator.1 According to Ayurveda, ashwagandha is also known as:2

Balya — increases strength
Brusya — Sexual performance enhancer
Vajikari — Spermatogenic
Kamarupini — Libido enhancing
Pustida — Nourishing

Also known as Indian ginseng or winter cherry, ashwagandha contains compounds known as withanolides, which have not only antioxidant and anti-stress activities but also enhance immunity, protect the heart and offer neuroprotective, hypoglycemic and anti-tumor effects.3 Its name comes from the Sanskrit word “ashwa,” or horse, because its root smells like horse urine and gives you the power of a horse when consumed.4

Nine Reasons to Consume Ashwagandha
In addition to withanolides, ashwagandha contains phenolic acids, alkaloids, saponins and tanins, which offer a wide variety of pharmacological activities. Together, ashwagandha and its bioactive compounds may benefit diseases such as arthritis, impotence, amnesia, anxiety and more. Ayurvedic doctor Dixa Bhavsar explained on social media:5,6

“This miracle herb has taken the medical world by storm (especially during #covid). And for good reason. Ashwagandha (Indian ginseng) is immune boosting, anti-inflammatory, sleep inducing, anticonvulsant, anti-stress, and antibacterial properties, this herb is like the one-stop shop for all ailments.”

Why else might you want to consider ashwagandha?

1. Relieve Stress and Anxiety — In a study of 125 adults who took ashwagandha or placebo daily for 90 days, those who took ashwagandha had lower serum cortisol levels — a measure of stress — and higher scores on a happiness questionnaire, “suggesting significantly lower stress levels and significantly better psychological well-being and sleep quality.”7

Another study involving 64 individuals who had a history of chronic stress evaluated the effectiveness of a full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root to help reduce stress and anxiety. Those in the study group took 300 milligrams (mg) of ashwagandha root twice a day for 60 days.

Analysis of the data revealed a significant reduction in stress assessment at the end of 60 days when compared to the placebo group. People taking ashwagandha also had substantially lower serum cortisol levels.8 According to the study, which was published in the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine:9

“The findings of this study suggest that a high-concentration full-spectrum Ashwagandha root extract safely and effectively improves an individual’s resistance towards stress and thereby improves self-assessed quality of life.”

2. Improve Cognitive Function — Ashwagandha has notable benefits for brain health, such that taking ashwagandha for 90 days improved memory and focus in cognitively sound adults between the ages of 20 and 55.10

In another study of adults with mild cognitive impairment, eight weeks of ashwagandha supplementation twice daily led to significantly greater improvements in immediate and general memory, executive function, sustained attention and information-processing speed compared to placebo.11

The herb was also found to improve aspects of cognition, including verbal working memory, response time and social cognition response in people with bipolar disorder.12

3. Better Sleep — If you’re looking for a sound night’s rest, sleep hygiene should be your go-to response, tending to things like eliminating light in your bedroom, turning off electronics well before bedtime and going to bed and waking at approximately the same time each day. However, ashwagandha may be provide a natural complement to these strategies.

More@Mercola

How to Take Ashwagandha Correctly | What You DONT Know About Ashwagandha – Dr. Arsalan Aspires

Attribution: Wowbobwow12 at English Wikipedia

7 Reasons to See a Chiropractor

Posted in: Tips | December 30, 2020

Suffering from back pain or any other form of chronic pain is one of the most common reasons that patients choose to see a chiropractor.

Doctors of Chiropractic treat over 27 million Americans annually…and Chiropractic care continues to grow in popularity as a preferred treatment in the US. But Chiropractor care offers many additional benefits in addition to helping with back pain. Here are a just a handful of common reasons you might consider for seeing a chiropractor.

1) Treating the Cause – this is the essence of Chiropractic care: treatment focused on the root cause of the health challenge…not just the symptoms.

Compared to prescribed medications in a recent study, it was in fact found that 56% of patients who saw a doctor, saw a 30% reduction in low back pain after 4 weeks. But 94% of patients who underwent Chiropractic treatment saw a 30% reduction in low back pain after 4 weeks.

Vertigo is an example of a condition much more effectively treated with Chiropractic care. Rather than simply dealing with the symptoms of the condition, the Chiropractor will likely help you to reestablish the balance within the ear. Recent research found that after 3-4 treatments, 80% of patients were symptom free!

2) Medication Avoidance – Many people choose to see a chiropractor as an alternative to taking pain relief medication, and the inevitable side effects than can occur.

Instead of treating the symptoms like pain relief medication does, a chiropractor aims to get to the root of the problem, to help you better manage your condition, putting together a treatment plan to help you get back on track.

A study by Annals of Internal Medicine in to the best option for treating neck pain, found that after following 272 neck pain patients for 12 weeks, those who used a Chiropractor or exercise were more than twice as likely to be pain free compared to those who took medication.

3) Chronic Pain Assistance – A first session with a patient with chronic pain will focus on the Chiropractor assessing the cause of the pain… determining exactly where inflammation and muscle tension may be occurring…then building an effective treatment plan. For patients with long term conditions, a study has shown that Chiropractic care is more effective in treating pain intensity than pain clinics, which only focus on the symptoms of the pain.

A Chiropractor may also employ other complimentary procedures such as ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), TENS therapy and other techniques to complement their spinal adjustment treatment.

4) Immune System Support – There is evidence to support the theory that chiropractic treatment can boost the immune system, as the nervous system and immune system are so interlinked, it’s believed if you tweak one then you tweak the other!

It’s not a new concept either, as it’s believed that chiropractic treatment was used during the Influenza Epidemic in 1912.

In fact, a series of studies published by the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics showed that several types of immune system cells, showed increased biological activity after chiropractic adjustment.

5) Migraines / Headaches – It is reported that 9 out of 10 Americans suffer from headaches, though varying in intensity, headaches and migraines can really affect your quality of life.

Both in the treatment of headaches and in the treatment of migraines, chiropractic care has proven to be an effective treatment, with spinal manipulation being the technique which is most commonly used. A 2011 study by JMPT, found that chiropractic care improves both migraines and headaches, when treated with spinal manipulation techniques.

6) Sleep Improvement – A National Sleep Foundation poll found that 60% of American adults experience sleep problems at some time. In fact, according to the APTA Move Forward survey, 37% of adults said that LBP affects their sleep, with over half stating that they suffer from poor sleep quality.

Chiropractic treatment and the manipulation therapies used are believed to help to improve blood flow in patients, which is essential for great sleep.

Chiropractors also focus on correcting misalignments or subluxations in the spine. These subluxations lead to a process called stress response which puts the body out of balance and does not let the body rest.

A well trained chiropractor will adjust these subluxations with safe and careful techniques to get your body to function normally.

Want more ways Chiropractic care can help?

9 Antifungal Foods to Beat Candida Infection

Posted in: Nutrition | September 30, 2020

If you have candida…eating as many anti-fungal foods as possible is vital to beating the infection. These nutritious healthy foods kill the yeast by starving them of sugar and breaking down candida’s cellular walls.

Apple cider vinegar has enzymes that can control yeast populations in the body, normalize pH levels, and encourage the growth of healthy bacteria.
Coconut oil is one of the best anti-fungal foods to consume. It contains two important immune supporting ingredients: caprylic acid and lauric acid.
Garlic possesses anti-fungal properties that suppress candida. It increases and supports the population of good bacteria.
Onions help get rid of excess fluids, a problem experienced by many patients with candidiasis. If the scent of onions is too strong for your nose, add parsley.
Lemon juice improves the efficiency of the digestive system and aids the movement of the colon that expels toxins from the body. Lime juice shares these anti-fungal benefits as well. (Related: Candida Auris: The silent superbug that’s already too late to stop – full documentary.)
Ginger cleanses the liver and helps blood circulate through the body. It reduces inflammation in the gut that stems from Candida overgrowth. It may be consumed raw, as a powder, or as tea.
Seaweed is rich in iodine that alleviates hypothyroidism, a condition associated with candidiasis. It also helps purge heavy metals and toxins from the intestinal tract and the rest of the body.
Turmeric is renowned for its numerous health benefits, which include being a potent anti-bacterial. This well-known spice contains curcumin, which can suppress different strains of Candida albicans. Turmeric powder is used to make curry or added to drinks. It is also available as a tea and as a supplement in capsule form.
Pumpkin seeds have plenty of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These good fatty acids prevent Candida from injuring the intestinal lining. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation while omega-6 fatty acids oversee metabolism. Pumpkin seeds also have anti-parasitic and anti-viral properties.Want more antifungal food ideas?

Want more healthy food ideas that help you beat Candida infection?…

Fight Inflammation with 5 Fruits

Posted in: Nutrition | May 29, 2020

Inflammation is the body’s way of telling the immune system to heal and repair damaged tissues…as well as to defend itself against foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. When this happens, chemicals from the body’s white blood cells are released into the blood or affected tissues to protect your body from foreign substances. This release of chemicals increases the blood flow to the area of injury or infection and may cause redness and warmth. Without this reaction, wounds would fester, and diseases could become deadly.

But other factors can contribute to chronic inflammation…like diet, lifestyle habits, and environmental exposures. Medication is one method of management…but dealing with unwanted side effects is often a challenge. A more beneficial approach would be to adopt a healthier lifestyle, including a change in your daily diet. There are several foods that you could include in your meals to keep inflammation at bay. Here are 6 of the healthiest anti-inflammatory fruits:

Blueberries are the most abundant source of anthocyanins, a type of flavonoids known to have anti-inflammatory effects. They are enriched with vitamins C and K and manganese and are also a good source of dietary fiber.
Avocados have gained immense popularity around the world and are a millennial trend in the food world. But what puts them on our list is the host of nutrients they contain. Avocados are rich in anti-inflammatory monounsaturated fats, especially oleic acid. Oleic acid is effective in reducing the biomarkers of inflammation, according to preliminary studies. Avocados are also packed with Vitamin E – a micronutrient with anti-inflammatory effects. Diets that are rich in these compounds can decrease the risk of the joint damage seen in early osteoarthritis.
Oranges – Anti-inflammatory diets usually include foods that are rich in antioxidants. Fruits, especially citrus fruits, contain a large number of flavonoids as well as the antioxidant vitamin C and carotenoids. Oranges and grapefruits, in particular, contain large quantities of hesperidin and naringin, nutrients that contribute to a reduced risk of metabolic syndrome.
Strawberries – are not only delicious but also good for your health. They are low in calories and high in fiber, and they contain vitamins and minerals your body needs to function normally, including a lot of vitamin C. They also have anti-inflammatory properties. Dietary polyphenols and other bioactive compounds in strawberries were shown to improve pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis.
Cherries – The cherry fruit is a nutrient-dense food with relatively low calories and significant amounts of essential nutrients and bioactive food components, such as fiber, polyphenols, carotenoids, vitamin C, and potassium. Increased oxidative stress is the cause of several human chronic inflammatory diseases. Cherries have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as they are a rich source of polyphenols and vitamin C; as such, they are known to help with arthritis.

5 Foods That Fight Hunger Pangs

Posted in: Nutrition | August 30, 2019

Hunger pangs are a natural body function signaling that it need continued nutritional intake to continue functioning. So, eating something in response to the pangs is obviously normal. However, many people resort to eating as a reaction to times of stress, anxiety and depression. So we need to make sure we’re eating quality nutrition that actually satisfies our physical hunger and not just resorting to emotional eating.

Some foods naturally help reduce hunger pangs you might experience between meals. Maybe more importantly, hunger pangs triggered more by emotions than by true physical hunger.

Regardless of the root of your hunger, you can easily fight it off with some delicious and nutritious foods.

These 5 foods act as appetite suppressants to fight against those spontaneous urges to eat:

Water – Technically, water is not a food, but nothing is more vital to the human body. It’s extremely important to make sure you stay well-hydrated throughout the day. Since the human body often reads thirst as hunger, it is easy to go for a caloric snack when a freebie from the fountain would suffice. Water as a weight control tool is often overlooked. Try to drink at least one cup, or eight ounces, of water each hour early in the day then begin to taper off in the afternoon to thirst. Add some ice cubes so your body has to work harder to bring the water to body temperature.
Green Tea – This one works in tandem with water, actually. Heat up some water then toss a tea bag in, and you are already two-for-two on this list. Green tea contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is an epic phytonutrient that helps stimulate the hormone cholecystokinin, or CCK, which creates that glorious feeling of satiety. EGCG gets bonus points for activating thermogenesis, or fat burning.
Apples – Whether you prefer red, green or golden varieties…apples are a great way to fend off any sudden hunger pangs…at any time of the day. The key appetite suppressing agent, according to Dr. Oz is the soluble fiber, or pectin, so eat up for a dose of tart or sour that will keep your calories in check.
Spinach – Dr. Richard Kohnke discovered in 2009 that the thylakoids that spinach is rich in…suppress appetite by increasing the level of the hormone leptin. This hormone controls the sense of hunger by telling you when you’re full
Almonds – In general, nuts and seeds are filled with healthy fats, protein, fiber and vitamins, particularly vitamin E in almonds. So when you eat them in a modest and correct serving size, almonds can help keep you from feeling hungry until your next scheduled meal.

9 Pain Relieving Yoga Stretches for Your Lower Back

Posted in: Tips | June 28, 2019

Nearly 85 percent of adults will experience some kind of lower-back pain in their life…according to a frequently quoted Canadian survey from the late 1990s. The harsh reality is that almost everyone is burdened with Lower-back pain some point. The good news is that some gentle stretching and strengthening can help alleviate pain. “Even a little yoga can go a long way,” says Alyx Walkinshaw, a yoga instructor behind the book and app Yoga for Seniors and Adults.

“I really identify with the beginning yoga practitioner and with making the practice accessible to everyone. No matter how busy you get, yoga can help bring you back into balance,” Alyx Walkinshaw

Here, she walks us through a sequence of nine poses that will help mitigate and prevent persistent lower-back pain.

Roll Down/Roll Up with a Forward Fold – What It Does: This movement is a great way to warm up your entire spine, lower back, hamstrings, calves, and ankles. Start your practice here to open the areas of the body you’ll be working in this sequence.
Wide-Leg Forward Fold – What It Does: This pose stretches the inner legs, back of the legs, and spine.
Pyramid Pose – What It Does: This pose strengthens the legs while stretching the hamstrings and improving posture and balance.
Down Dog – What It Does: Down Dog stretches the shoulders, hamstrings, calves, and arches of the feet.

Like to see 5 more poses and some more demonstration photos?

Boosting Your Gut Health with 7 Foods

Posted in: Nutrition | May 31, 2019

Prebiotics – Eat More!

Prebiotics provide a good food source for certain populations of healthy gut bacteria, such as bifidobacteria, which, in turn, prevent intestinal inflammation. Studies have shown that prebiotics can be particularly beneficial for obese people, as they reduce insulin and cholesterol levels, while lowering the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Prebiotics can be bought as supplements, but they are also contained within foods including asparagus, leeks, bananas, garlic and jerusalem artichoke.

Fibre & Wholegrains – A diet rich in high-fibre foods such as apples, artichokes, blueberries, chickpeas, lentils, pease and beans can limit the growth of harmful bacteria and stimulate bifidobacteria, lactobacilli and another healthy species called Bacteroidetes.
Fermented Products – Fermented foods such as kimchi, kefir, kombucha, natural yoghurts and fermented soya bean milk have been shown to promote the abundance of healthy gut bacteria and reduce the levels of enterobacteriaceae, a family of bacteria linked to a number of chronic diseases. Natural yoghurt enriched with bifidobacteria has also been found to alleviate lactose intolerance in children and adults, while yoghurts enhanced with lactobacilli have had some beneficial results in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Avoid flavoured yoghurts, which tend to contain high levels of sugar.
Polyphenols – Polyphenols are found in foods including almonds, blueberries and broccoli as well as in green tea, cocoa and red wine. The types of polyphenols found in cocoa are linked to changes in the microbiome that reduce inflammation and triglyceride levels.

Avoid Artificial Aweeteners

Commonly found in food as replacements for sugar….Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame has been found to alter gut bacteria in human and animal studies. These changes appear to result in elevated blood sugar levels and increased susceptibility to metabolic disease.

Read More

Pain Therapy – 3 Alternative Strategies for Severe Chronic Pain

Posted in: News | April 30, 2019

HIGHLIGHTS of the STORY

A chiropractor known as the “Good News Doctor,” Dr. Mark DeBrincat recovered from severe injuries that kept him in severe chronic pain for 15 years using neurofeedback, essential oils and pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) treatments.
8 essential oils helped Dr. DeBrincat to remodel the tissue in his spine, reducing his pain from a 10 to a 5, and then to zero. Essential oils are volatile compounds found in grasses, trees, roots, bark, leaves and flowers. Essential oils in general are about 50 to 70 times more powerful than herbs, and should be used sparingly.
The neurofeedback device consists of a cap with 19 leads hooked to a computer that register neural activity, giving you a three-dimensional map of your neurology.
Once dysregulated areas of your brain have been identified, they can be targeted to increase neuroplasticity. Once neuroplasticity kicks in, you start growing new tissue.

Opiates are seen by many as the only option for severe pain. This can have severe health consequences…because Opioids are extremely addictive and 130 Americans die from opioid overdoses each and every day.1 The death toll from opioids is so great it has actually contributed to lowered life expectancy in the U.S.

I remembered back in school we talked about healing, getting better and overcoming anything. It’s always innate. We heal from the inside out. We get harmed from the outside in. I really started studying more epigenetics. ~ Dr. Mark DeBrincat

Essential Oils:

The body is remodeling itself. The oils that are helping remodel tissue are literally getting in there with the DNA when it makes 3 billion copies of itself before it finds the cleanest one to go into the new cell. It helps take out debris, damage, toxins, scars … so that you can give back to your root cell, which is the purest form before you had all your problems …

Neurofeedback Details

Knowing there’s technology that can pinpoint a specific network and grow tissue to help that network, this has given us so much hope to help people who are needlessly suffering in pain, because honestly, there’s no drug that’s going to heal them …

Choosing a Gilroy Massage Therapist

Posted in: Tips | March 29, 2019

Choosing a massage therapist in the Gilroy, CA area that’s right for you… likely will rest on several considerations. Typical factors might include 3 key areas involving the therapists general approach or style, qualifications, and gender.

Qualifications: Training and experience of therapists vary. Some states and municipalities require licensing of massage therapists. Check your therapist’s credentials, especially if you are seeking massage for problem conditions.

Gender: The gender of your massage therapist is mainly a matter of personal preference. Cross Gender massage is common today. Your massage therapist should be someone you feel comfortable with and with whom you can relax.

Approach or Style: Many massage therapists use an eclectic approach to their work, combining several different massage styles. The two most common general styles are traditional Swedish massage, and Oriental bodywork style such as shiatsu and acupressure. Some massage therapy approaches have specific applications. Talk to your massage therapist to find out if his/her style is suitable for the goals you have set for your massage session.

General Advice for Your Massage Therapy Session:

Participate actively in your massage therapy session.
Don’t understand anything?…ASK!
Have any specific requests? …feel confident about stating them in advance.
Uncomfortable at any time? …say so.

It’s your time, money and health! Most of all, relax and enjoy your massage!

From: Your First Therapeutic Massage – Patricia J. Benjamin PhD.

Probiotics – 7 Tips for the Best Choice

Posted in: Nutrition, Tips | February 28, 2019

Choosing a probiotic can be alot like choosing an insurance company. The sheer quantity to choose from alone often makes the process extremely difficult. Here are 4 positive elements to look for in a great probiotic…and 3 characteristics to avoid. They can be the difference between a life enhancing supplement and another cheap disappointment.

Characteristics to Include:

Number of CFUs – CFUs (Colony Forming Units) are how probiotics are measured. The quantity of CFUs alone has a significant impact on the product’s effectiveness and your resulting satisfaction. Minimum target: 40-50 billion of CFUs per serving.
Strain Diversity – here again, quantity is critical. Target: 8-12 strains is good and diverse quantity to offer real benefit to your digestive and immune health. Many inferior products only contain 1-2 strains. Don’t waste your time and money.
Substrains – shown next to strains on the product label…substrains indicate that a particular probiotic strain has been clinically studied and proven effective (e.g. L. Acidophilus La-14TM)
Prebiotics – a fiber-based component like NutraFlora® Fiber…prebiotics nourish the good bacteria in the gut so it thrives and increases effectiveness in general

Things to Avoid:

Refrigerated Probiotics – refrigeration is required for some probiotics because they often contain strains that aren’t stable and tend to be ineffective. Refrigerated probiotics often lose their potency during shipping from manufacturer to consumer. Best bet…probiotics formulated to withstand room temperature.
Chemicals or Irritants – Look for a probiotic that is Gluten, Soy and Dairy Free, and does not contain preservatives or fillers.
Amazon Reviews – Up to 65% of Amazon reviews are written by paid individuals, and some of them might not have tried the product. Balance your research with real research.