Natural Remedies for Asthma?

Asthma can be scary, uncomfortable and very difficult to treat so finding ways to support the body naturally can be empowering for asthma sufferers. There is no need to stop medication which is vital for supporting sufferers through attacks and prevention, but over time natural methods can support the body so that medication is less frequently used.

So many people think that because asthma is a condition which is genetic or innate once it has developed it cannot be changed.  Although it may be triggered by genetic and external factors, it can be controlled and improved with natural approaches and this can avoid or reduce the need for steroidal medications or brochodilator inhalers.  Even if you still need medication, you may get to the point where you can reduce the dosage or limit usage by supporting your body naturally.  Orthodox medication has an important place in the treatment of asthma, but it works well alongside natural remedies too.

So, if you are suffering with asthma or know someone who is, then trying these natural approaches can only do good on the road to managing a life with asthma.

1.  Vitamin C rich foods and/or supplementation will help to support the immune system .  Your immune system needs a real boost during any allergic/immune condition so make sure you are getting plenty.

2.  Essential Fatty Acids are vital in any inflammatory condition.  They  balance other fatty acids which can be pro-inflammatory so are a great support for asthmatic conditions.

3.  Fresh fruit and vegetables are vital for anyone suffering from asthma.  The body needs extra support so green smoothies, juices and lots of abundant salads will help to support the body's natural immune health and may lessen the frequency of attacks.

4. Remove any chemical additives from your diet as they can interfere with the body's natural healing systems and cause imbalances.  Inflammation and dysfunction responds well to natural foods but foreign chemicals can make it worse.

5.  Meditation and breathing techniques are great for asthma.  Although it is a physical problem, it still responds to stress.   By managing stress levels and staying balanced, the body will be in a stronger place to deal with allergic reactions and asthma attacks may be less frequent.

So, try these natural approaches and remember that there is only good to come of getting in tune with your body and feeding it things which promote balance and health.  All these efforts will improve your whole system, so only good can come of it.

Warm Wishes

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Which Supplements Should I Take? There are so many!

There is so much hype around health today and supplements are at the forefront.  Ideally we would all eat organic, plump fruit and vegetables from our gardens which are full of all the nutrients we need.  But sadly food storage and farming means that our foods are often depleted and lacking in the vital nutrients that we depend on for good health.  So, supplements are necessary in almost all modern lives.  There seem to be so many supplements and nutrients and when you go to the health food shop it feels like you need all of them.  

"Oooh, one for skin, and nails!  I should take this one for my immune system?  Oh, ok.  I really need my brain function improved and must protect my eyes from future damage.  Blimey, I have not given any thought to my digestion, so I had better take this tincture.  Most importantly I should take that in case I get that... "  and on it goes.

If you took them all then you would be late for work every morning.  So, which ones should you really take everyday?  

When you think about supplements your first thought should be, am I well?  If you are, then you just need a few staples.  If you are unwell and want to use natural methods, then the best mode of action is to visit a naturopathic nutritional therapist to get dietary recommendations and a list of supplements that would suit you perfectly.  

If you are well and just want to boost your energy levels and feel your best, then here are my five top recommendations.

1.  Multivitamin.  A high quality multivitamin with a full range B-vitamin Complex included is a great idea.  This will keep you going everyday and keep you balanced at times when your diet may be lacking.

2.  Vitamin C.  There are over 200 functions in the body dependent on this vital antioxidant.  1000 mg daily in a slow release supplement may be a great way to support your body through the stresses and strains of the day.

3.  Essential Fatty Acids.  It is so important to keep your body topped up with essential fatty acids, they maintain your cell membrane health and help keep inflammation at bay.

4.  Super Food Powders.  A superfood powder such as Spirulina or wheatgrass is a lovely rounded way of supporting your system.  Putting  a teaspoon in a green smoothie each day is a fabulous gift for your body.

5.  Probiotic.  Your gut is the epicentre of your health.  If it is out of balance then your whole system will find it impossible to function well.  A probiotic is a great way to help your gut stay in balance.

Supplements can seem expensive, but good quality ones are a great investment.  Lamberts, Higher Nature and Nutri are all brands I highly recommend.

Enjoy being well.

Josie.

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Is there a natural way to treat depression?

Feeling a little low when things are going wrong is quite normal.  Even feeling a bit blue for a while is a common feeling, which often passes when circumstances change and new opportunities appear.  However, feeling continually low and defeated and having feelings of uselessness and depression for extended periods is not normal and it is good to know that there is help if you have reached this point (support makes all the difference).  If you are feeling very low and withdrawn for long periods, feeling like food is not appetizing and losing out on sleep, then go to your GP to get some advice.  

Antidepressant medication is an option, but it is always best to try other routes first, such as counselling, meditation, dietary changes and an increase in exercise.  In a lot of cases these simple steps are enough to lift mood significantly and get you back on the right track. If you have been offered anti-depressants and are worried about their addictive effect, it is also worth trying the supplement 5-HTP.

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is an amino acid which acts as a precursor to serotonin.  Seretonin helps us to feel calm, relaxed and in control, so making sure we have sufficient quantities being converted and utilized is central to avoiding feelings of depression.  By taking 5-HTP supplements, depressed individuals will be converting higher levels of serotonin in the body naturally.  This can be a good natural approach to depression as it encourages the body to convert and utilize higher quantities of serotonin effectively and has no undesirable side effects except drowsiness.  

Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors are the most commonly prescribed anti-depressant drugs which work by blocking serotonin being taken back into the receptor sites.  This means that higher levels of serotonin are left circulating through the system and they work to improve mood and increase interest in activities   The problem with this approach is that if levels of serotonin production are already low, it may take some time for it to build up in the body and for the drug to take effect.  5-HTP actually increases the production of serotonin so from this angle it could be more effective.  Both options can create drowsiness so doses should be monitored and they should not be used together or with any other anti-depressant medication.  Prozac can cause restlessness, insomnia, intestinal irregularities and has strong withdrawal symptoms if usage stops suddenly.  5-HPT does not have these undesirable side effects so may be a gentler choice for the body.

(Brewer, Sarah (2002) The Essential Guide to Vitamins, Minerals and Herbs.

These recommendations do not replace your doctors advice and ultimately, doing what feels right for you is the most important factor in treating depression.  If you are taking anti-depressants, remember that reducing the dosage is always something to do alongside your doctor, carefully.

Beating depression naturally with healing herbs, exercise, counselling and nutrition has surprisingly good results.  Exercise, meditation and counselling can be done alongside herbal or orthodox medication.  There is always light at the end of the tunnel, it is just finding your personal way to get to that light.  This can seem hard, but at the end of the journey you are usually more open in nature and more compassionate to others suffering which makes the world a more loving place to be.

Warm Wishes.

Josie.

Why is sugar bad for us?

Oh, I know we love it and it makes us feel like life is more fun, but sugar is one of the nastiest things we can have in our diets.  It is not only massively addictive, but it is also very damaging; a bad combination.  It is not only refined sugar which we pour into tea and coffee, but the sugars in all sweet foods and also the hidden in sugars in lots of savoury foods.  

Sugar is probably the biggest offender in obesity and is often ignored as a weight gain danger whilst fat gets all the bad press.  A diet low in fat and high in sugar is a dangerous mistake to make and is often ignored in weight loss diets.

Sugar can cause:

Obesity

Insulin Resistance

Diabetes

Premature aging

Energy Slumps

Fatigue

Cellular Toxicity

Acne

Weight Gain

Chronic pains and worsened arthritis

And this is only scraping the surface of the problem as sugar erodes all the body's systems and lowers immunity significantly.  As little as half an hour after eating sugar the immune system suffers greatly, leaving the body at risk of all sorts of problems.

Sugar that is not used as energy is stored as fat as any excess glucose in the bloodstream is converted into triglyceride fats and stored on the liver.  A fatigued liver is a massive problem which can lead to all sorts of other diseases and imbalances.  Sugar is often to blame.  Sugar, even that found naturally in fruits, should be monitored to keep blood sugar even and steady.  

Here are my five top tips to keep your sugar levels stable:

1. Never add sugar to your drinks or foods.

2.  Choose complex carbohydrates like brown rice and whole grains.

3. White bread, pastry, white rice etc. all raise your glucose massively.

4. Honey and fruit are the healthy options, but they still spike blood sugar so moderate them, especially fruit juices which give you a big sugar hit (dilute them with water).

5. Eat protein with each meal and snack on protein/fat rich snacks such as nuts, avocado and humous.  These will keep you going longer and avoid energy slumps which make you crave sugar.

Remember, a little of what you like is good, but a sugar addiction is a very dangerous habit so try these tips to kick it! 

Good luck.

Josie

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