5 Natural Tips for Your Allergy

7 May

1. Vitamin C – it is a very effective natural allergy remedy. You have to include vitamin C in your diet. In absence of vitamin C, you will be susceptible to allergies. Vitamin C helps by strengthening your sells and detoxifying any outside substance.

2. Butterbur – have you heard about butterbur? It is a plant which is seen mostly in marshy areas across Asia, Europe and North America. It is generally used for treatment of various problems. Butterbur is effective against allergy. It is a completely natural remedy for allergy. People have been using it for treatment of allergy for a long time. >You will find tablets of butterbur. The plant is processed to make the tablets. After drying the roots, they are grounded to make powder. This powder comes in tablet forms. >Butterbur reduces the muscle spasms caused by allergies and through that process relieves the patient. While using it follow h instruction on he label.

3. Honey – is another good remedy or allergy. Local honey is better than other honey. This is good for most of he pollen allergies. Start with small amount and gradually increase it. Check out whether your body is fine with honey or not. Some people cannot take honey as it causes reaction in their body. If your body is ok with honey, then start using it. Start with a tablespoon and slowly increase the amount. The honey that you use should be local, bought from a local store, and should not be pasteurized. Do not heat it when using. You can get the honey before your problem starts. Find out at what time of the year, you have this problem. Then before that time, buy the honey and use it.

4. Green Tea – is a well known natural allergy remedy. Green tea contains some chemicals which are useful against allergy causing elements like pollen, dust etc. Green tea should be taken as it is. Do not add milk, other tea leaves, honey etc. They destroy the good elements in green tea. One cup a day is good to start. Slowly you can increase the number of cups you take daily.

5. Echinacea- this is another herb which is effective against allergy. Sometimes it called sun flower, and it’s a good natural allergy remedy. It has been used for a long time by the people. It helps in reducing allergy problems. It helps in stopping running nose, watery eyes etc. It also decreases any swelling in body tissues.

MSG Allergies Facts

7 May

For many years, MSG or monosodium glutamate has served our kitchen as an all-around seasoning working to improve the world’s dining experience. Yet regrettably, it has suffered a bad reputation because of several health concerns associated with it.

A common misconception is the so-called “MSG allergy” that many people claim to experience after eating food that contains this food additive which is very popular among Chinese and other Asian dishes, gaining its nickname, the Chinese restaurant syndrome.

Since then, this adverse effect has been the subject of many debates among medical professionals due to a failure to establish a clear relationship between MSG usage and the development of the reactions. Although several studies have been performed to attest to the veracity of MSG allergy, the consistency of the responses remains an issue. For this reason, the FDA or any governing body has not issued any warning against consuming food products containing monosodium glutamate.

But despite this, many are drawn to believe that this is certainly an allergy to MSG. In fact, maybe you yourself are among those who adamantly adhere to a No-MSG diet. Because of this, countless restaurants and food establishments have joined the bandwagon against MSG and are claiming that they have “no MSG” in their dishes or other products.

So what is the reality behind the sensitivity reactions following the ingestion of MSG-laden foods?

To set the record straight, it is essential for one to know that what causes allergic reactions in people.

>MSG Facts

Milk, tree nuts, peanuts, seafood, shellfish, soy, wheat and eggs are only few among the many substances that can cause food allergies. A common factor between these allergens is that they are primarily made up of protein. While MSG is a form of glutamate, an amino acid which is found in protein, it is non-bound which makes it not exactly a protein. If glutamate were the cause of untoward reactions, we must have experienced such as there are several common food products that have high quantities of free glutamate in them such as mushrooms, seafood, cheese, and meat.

There have been quite a number of studies that were conducted to prove or disprove MSG sensitivity. In a study conducted in 1986, individuals who claim to be sensitive to MSG were challenged to participate in a double-blind placebo study. Of the six participants, only two have reported untoward effects after MSG and placebo ingestion such as tingling sensation, warm feeling behind the ears, and tightness of the face.

Furthermore, in 2001, another study led by a renowned American Immunologist, together with a team of researchers from distinguished universities in the United States have concluded that MSG does not cause the allergic reactions due to the inadequacy of the adverse effects from MSG. The responses were also inconsistent.

Ultimately, on May 2009, the medical journal of Clinical and Experimental Allergy made a review on monosodium glutamate on the alleged issue of causing allergies such as asthma and rhinitis. They have concluded that while the ingestion of large amount of MSG without food can elicit symptoms of sensitivity, as a food-additive, it does not increase the risk of developing allergic reactions.

>No MSG

We commonly encounter food establishments claiming to serve food without MSG. The fact is, even though these restaurants do not actively include commercial MSG (e.g. Ajinomoto, Vetsin, and Accent) in the preparation of their products, there is a high likelihood that some products and seasonings are also made from MSG. MSG can also be hidden under the following names: hydrolyzed protein, yeast extract, sodium caseinate, calcium caseinate, bouillon, broth, and natural flavouring.

There are naturally-occurring glutamates in cheese, marmite, ripe tomato, eggs, peas and many others. So, in our entire life, almost all of us must have been exposed to MSG even at least once.

>Sensitivity, Allergy, and Intolerance

Despite these, if you feel any untoward reaction such as a warm sensation in the face and neck, flushing, numbness, tingling, chest palpitations, rhinitis, nausea and vomiting, and wheezing, consult your physician for immediate management. These symptoms may show a few minutes to an hour after ingestion of food containing monosodium glutamate. Although the condition is rare, the reaction may vary among individuals. These “allergic” reactions may even be more severe if MSG is taken in high doses on an empty stomach.

To verify your condition, your physician will establish whether what kind of food sensitivity or allergy you have. Should there be an association with your condition to MSG ingestion, then you should start taking measures against the eating food that is prepared using this seasoning.

http://medsavailable.com/articles/the-truth-about-msg-allergies

Your Own Anti Wrinkle Cream

7 May

Do you know that many foods are used in making a good recipe of natural anti wrinkle cream? and not necessary to hunt all over specialty stores to get the ingredients? There as below could be the simple ways to make your own anti wrinkle cream;

>Coconut Oil : The quickest recipe is to simply apply coconut oil to your face and neck the way you would any anti wrinkle cream, gently massaging it into your skin at night.

>Banana mash : Mash a portion of a banana until it is very creamy and spread it over your face and neck. Leave the banana on your skin for ten to fifteen minutes, then rinse it off with warm water and gently patting the skin dry.

>Papaya mash : you can also use a mashed papaya as a recipe for homemade anti wrinkle cream. Use the same method for the papaya as you would for a banana, and apply it in the same way.

>Honey : the best recipe for homemade anti wrinkle cream is honey. Simply smear honey over clean skin and leave it on for no more than thirty minutes. Rinse it off with warm water and gently pat dry.

>Apples & Pineapples : apply the juice of green pineapples and apples to the face daily and leave on the skin for ten to fifteen minutes, then rinse the juice off with warm water and gently pat the skin dry.

>Another recipe : two tablespoons of cucumber juice, one egg white, one teaspoon of lemon juice, one teaspoon of rum or brandy, and 1.2 teaspoons of sodium benzoate. Beat the egg white and mix the other ingredients into it and apply it to the skin after chilling it.

Try & proof  its!

Child Vaccination & Link to Autism

7 May

The development of vaccines has spelled tremendous difference in the health of nations. Historically, many outbreaks could not be contained due to the lack of preventative measures. As is often quoted in medical circles, prevention is better than cure. This holds the basic premise why children are normally vaccinated against common diseases, a lot of which can be deadly and were in fact fatal for many generations prior to the discovery of their cures and inoculations.

Along with this advancement in medical science, these last few years have also ushered in a greater consciousness among parents about the chronic development disorder called autism. Although a direct cause of the disorder has not yet been identified, many research has allowed the earlier detection of the condition based on certain behavioral cues in toddlers, or even babies younger than that age.

Autism is typically first identified between the ages of 18 to 30 months. This might have been the initial reason why some studies looked into the possibility of some vaccines administered prior to that age as increasing the risk of autism in children. For example, some studies have pinpointed certain vaccines given before the age of one year as upping the risk of autism occurrence in male children. But is there in fact scientific evidence for this claim?

These concerns typically centered on vaccines containing mercury or thimerosal. Interestingly, though, extensive reports coming from national health institutes in the United States have found that there is no proven link to these vaccines and autism. In fact, many health agencies believe the risks, if any, would be negligible and the benefits of vaccination will far outweigh any of these perceived risks.

The timing of identifying autism at about the same age range as when children typically receive vaccinations is a major reason why there was a mistaken assumption of cause and effect. But recent studies have shown increasing evidence that autism may be determined even while the baby is still in the womb during pregnancy. This at least assures mothers that they do not have to worry about vaccinations “causing” autism. If ever you do have concerns or doubts about the vaccines, it would be best to discuss your concerns with your pediatrician.

In any case, the usual vaccinations recommended for children from birth to 12 months include those against tuberculosis, whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria, measles, mumps, German measles, poliomyelitis, and Hepatitis B. If you are concerned about the number of shots that your fragile newborn will be getting, there are actually numerous combination vaccines made available today, significantly reducing the number of injections needed.

Also, doctors typically only postpone vaccination for certain medical reasons, such as when a child is sick and has a high temperature of over 38.5 degrees Centigrade. A runny nose is not usually reason to postpone a vaccination as long as the child is otherwise healthy, or is taking antibiotics and is recovering. Experts typically prefer not to postpone vaccinations as it will put the child at greater risk for the sickness for which vaccination was held off. Of course, there are certain cases when doctors would not be able to give vaccination to children. This is typically limited to children with immune deficiency disorders, or those who are on certain medication, when the doctor determines that the vaccination may interfere with their ability to fight infection.

This is why the issue between a possible link between vaccination and autism has to be settled once and for all, as a child who misses a vaccination because his mother does not want him to have a higher risk for autism will be at risk for that particular disease supposedly combated by the vaccine.

As stated earlier, if you are still uncertain and would like your doubts put to rest, do not be afraid to ask your pediatrician. Remember, he should, and usually does, have your child’s best interest at heart, and you can partner with him in discussing your child’s condition. Also, if you have qualms about some issues in your child’s development, be sure to discuss them with your doctor, as he can help you identify possible problem areas at an early stage.

http://medsavailable.com/articles/child-vaccination-is-there-a-link-to-autism

Right Shampoo for Right Hair

7 May

Gone are the days when shampoo simply did what it was expected to do, which was to clean hair by removing dirt and other buildup on it. But these days, there are many kinds of shampoos to choose from, that anyone shopping for shampoo will have to consider several things to make sure he or she gets the one that is best for his or her specific hair type.

1. For fine but oily or limp hair, your best bet is a shampoo that boasts of volumizing features. Avoid shampoo-and-conditioner formulas or those with a high priority on moisturizing, as this will only weigh down your limp hair. You would benefit best from daily shampooing, or every other day. This technique will help you get a sleek and radiant look. Be careful to apply conditioner only every two days. Should you prefer to use conditioner daily, be sure to apply it only to the ends of your hair. If you are a person who uses a lot of styling products, revert to a clarifying shampoo once every week in order to get rid of product buildup. Experts also recommend using cold or lukewarm water. Using water that is too hot will cause hair cuticles to open, making your scalp and hair too dry, which results in oil glands compensating for that loss of moisture.

2. For curly hair, your choice should be a moisturizing shampoo, because curly hair tends to be coarse or dry. This is because the oils from the scalp are not able to down the hair as easily as with straight hair. This is also the reason why curly hair looks better when you don’t shampoo daily. Common moisturizers for shampoos best for curly hair include beeswax, shea butter, or nut oils. Experts recommend conditioner especially for curly hair.

3. If your hair is color-treated, color-protection shampoos would work best for you. The ingredients of these type of shampoos should be gentle cleansers such as ceramides which do not strip hair strands of their color. Some shampoos come with a color guard system or light reflecting formulas to nourish the hair and protect it from external aggressions. Experts explain that color-treated hair is in need of moisture. As such they recommend applying a hair masque about once a month to add moisture to the hair as well as to make it more manageable.

4. For thick and unruly dry hair, creamy shampoos should be your choice. They typically have ingredients that help to smoothen and detangle hair, as well as to diffuse static. Hair experts recommend a leave-in product for thick and unruly hair.

5. If you are prone to split-ends or substantial hair fall, you now have many options of shampoos geared especially to fight hair fall due to breakage. Experts recommend washing your hair with cool instead of warm water, as heat causes pores to open up and may result in a greater tendency for hair fall.

6. If you happen to have dandruff, your shampoo choice would have to be anti-dandruff choices. Dandruff is a sign that your scalp is prone to inflammation and irritation, which results in the white flakes. Look for shampoos with a gentle cleaning base, usually those made from coconut or castor oils that are generally gentle on hair while keeping your scalp in its natural balance.

7. For normal hair, double formula shampoos are fine to use. Shampoo and conditioner mixes can be used. Among the choices, the best ones are those that help protect your hair from environmental factors, as well as those that come with a system to maintain the hair’s pH level.

When you understand the mechanics of choosing the best shampoo, you will most likely experience healthier and easier to manage hair, no matter what your hair type. Also, you won’t be easily conned into trying the latest product when you know it isn’t even suitable for your hair type! This will save you much money in the long run. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t pamper your hair once in a while; you deserve a special treat once a month wherein you indulge in a treatment that rejuvenates your hair and scalp!

http://medsavailable.com/articles/choosing-the-right-shampoo