Natural Sweeteners, Cooking And Your Health

Lipoic acid or alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a fatty acid found naturally inside every cell of the body. It is a powerful antioxidant; a substance that neutralizes potentially harmful chemicals called free radicals in the body. Our bodies produce it in very small amounts and it is also found in foods such as spinach, Brewer’s yeast, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, peas, organ meats and rice bran. It converts glucose (or blood sugar) into energy. Let’s take at look at this widely touted supplement.

What makes ALA unique and gives it nutritional value is that it is both water and fat soluble, unlike the more common antioxidants vitamins C and E, and it appears to be able to recycle and extend the metabolic lifespan of antioxidants such as of vitamin C, glutathione, and coenzyme Q10, and it indirectly renews vitamin E. Vitamin C lessens oxidative stress while glutathione helps detoxify the liver. Coenzyme Q10 helps convert food energy into energy inside every cell while vitamin E helps with nerve conduction.

Lipoic acid helps treat the symptoms of a common complication of diabetes called peripheral neuropathy. By speeding the removal of glucose from the bloodstream, ALA enhances insulin function and reduces insulin resistance. A large number of cases of coronary heart disease and obesity are a direct or indirect result of those two factors. Symptoms such as prickling sensations, numbness, burning and sharply cutting pain are relieved by this very useful nutritional supplement.

Free radical damage is thought to contribute to aging and chronic illness. ALA helps neutralize those harmful chemicals. ALA can cross the blood-brain barrier; a wall of tiny vessels and structural cells, and pass easily into the brain. It is thought to protect brain and nerve tissue by preventing free radical damage and is used to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Because of those reasons, ALA is also used as a nutritional supplement to treat a myriad of other illnesses and diseases like cataracts, hardening of the arteries, hepatitis, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, high cholesterol levels, and even human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Lipoic acid has very few side effects. Some that have been reported include headache, tingling or a “pins and needles” sensation, skin rash, or muscle cramps. Since ALA may improve blood sugar control, people with diabetes who are taking medication to lower blood sugar should only take ALA under the supervision of a qualified health professional and have their blood sugar levels carefully monitored. It may alter thyroid hormone levels, so people taking thyroid medications should be monitored by their healthcare provider.

At present, anxiety is rated as one of the most common problems in the United States, affecting nearly 40 million Americans. Symptoms of anxiety include feelings of panic and doom, rapid breathing, tightness in the chest, nausea, diarrhea, and frequent urination. There are common treatments for the condition such as psychotherapy and prescription medication; however, many herbal remedies are available at your corner drug store and maybe right at your own garden.

Among the most commonly used herbal remedies are Valerian root, Kava Kava, Chamomile, Lavender, and Peppermint. These extracts can be purchased in tablet form or as herbal teas at most drug and grocery stores. Health food stores will usually offer these remedies as ground or crushed herbs with which you can brew your own teas. Here are a few facts to learn about this anxiety herbal medicine remedies.

Valerian root

Valerian root is available as tablet, herb or tea which should be taken shortly before bedtime. Most professionals believe that it is safe for short-term use. To brew your own Valerian tea, use 1 teaspoon of ground Valerian root per pint of boiling water. You should probably add a little honey, lemon, licorice or peppermint to the tea since most people find that Valerian by itself tastes awful. Take note that you should keep your Valerian root away from your cats because it is almost similar to catnip. If your cats luckily find your Valerian stash, they will surely have a wonderful time, but they might not leave you enough Valerian root for your tea.

Kava Kava

Kava Kava is an anxiety herbal medicine remedy from the South Pacific that is available as a tablet, herb or drink, or can be chewed raw. Like the Valerian root, it has to be taken shortly before bedtime. However, government agencies have raised safety concerns about liver toxicity from the long term use of Kava. Although Kava is widely used, you might wish to avoid it.

Chamomile

Chamomile is our common ragweed flower, but brewed in a tea, it is quite calming. It can be purchased as a ready made herbal tea, or you might want to brew your own with one ounce of dried Chamomile blossoms for each pint of boiling water. But be wary that it may worsen your seasonal allergies if you use it for a long period of time.

Lavender

Lavender is a tried and tested anxiety herbal medicine discovered in Western Europe centuries ago. Dried lavender flowers are best brewed in teas using two teaspoons of dried flowers per pint of boiling water. Aside from that, oils extracted from the flowers, leaves and stems can be used as topical remedies. One on-the-spot anxiety remedy is to pluck several leaves from a lavender plant, grind the leaves between your thumb and forefinger, and then rub your forehead with the lavender oil you just extracted. You can then enjoy the soothing lavender smell every time you inhale.

Peppermint

Peppermint is an herb known to relieve upset stomach caused by anxiety. Dried peppermint leaves can be brewed in a tea, and like lavender, the oils extracted from them can be used as topical remedies.

Before trying out any of these anxiety herbal medicines, it is best to consult first your doctor. He or she can ensure that any anxiety herbal medicine treatments you take are safe and effective and do not interact with any other medications that you may be taking. Take the first step and start feeling better today.

STD testing is an extremely important part of your overall sexual health in all humans. Millions of people are becoming infected with sexually transmitted diseases each year, also know as STDs. If you or your partner have had unprotected sex then you maybe at risk for an STD, also known as a sexually transmitted disease. STD testing includes STDs such as Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Herpes, HIV, and more. HIV STD testing determines if you or your sexual partner have been infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, otherwise known as HIV. Several HIV tests are used to check whether you have a recent HIV STD infection or one that happened after six months ago.

The Herpes STD testing checks for Herpes Simplex Virus I (HSV I) and Herpes Simple Virus II (HSV II). Usually, Herpes testing looks for oral (mouth) Herpes and genital Herpes. HSV I tests for cold sores on the mouth and more recently on the genital area. HSV II tests for genital herpes. Chlamydia nearly 1 million sexually active people in the United States. Gonorrhea affects nearly 1 million people in the U.S. It is suggested to test for both Gonorrhea and Chlamydia if you think you may have one or the other.

LabTests.md is concerned about the inaccuracy of most at home STD test kits offered by most STD testing websites. We have Real Dr’s, Real Labs, Real Results. Please join our group if you are interested in accurate STD testing and HIV Testing and STD and HIV information.

Laser eye surgery reshapes the cornea, the clear front part of the eye.  Finding the right Colroado Laser Eye Surgery clinic is very important.  For many people, laser eye surgery can correct their vision so they no longer need glasses or contact lenses.

Lasik

LASIK is a surgical vision correction procedure intended to reduce a person’s dependency on glasses or contact lenses.  Lasik eye correction surgery is fast becoming a popular choice for individuals that have to rely on glasses or contacts everyday.  LASIK patients normally get better eye acuity of 75% to 85% within 24 hours.  Use the directory to find a lasik eye center near you.

Risks

Risks Involved:Like all other surgeries, this surgery has a few risks involved.  But, like all medical procedures, it has both risks and benefits.  You may be a good candidate for laser eye surgery if you:are at least 21 years of age for a Summit laser or 18 years of age for a VISX laser, since the eyes are still growing to this pointhave healthy eyes that are free from retinal problems, corneal scars, and any eye disease (refractive errors are considered eye disorders, not diseases)have mild to moderate myopia (nearsightedness) within the range of treatment (see your doctor to determine your range)have a way to pay for the treatment since laser procedures are costly and probably not covered by health insurance policiesare fully informed about the risks and benefits of laser surgery compared with other available treatments.  Generally, laser eye surgery is safe, but just like any other surgical procedure, it does involve certain risks.

Colorado Laser Eye Surgery Clinics

If you’re looking for a Vision Correction Clinic, this website also offers a directory of LASIK eye centers throughout the country and beyond.  LASIK centers in all major Californian, cities and regions will eventually be covered in this Californian, lasik clinic directory.

Laser eye surgery in Colorado, while an advanced medical procedure, remains a relatively easy procedure to perform.  At least go for a free consultation so you no longer have to wonder if you are a candidate for laser eye surgery.  You only have one pair of eyes, so no-one needs to remind you about the importance of your decision to have laser eye surgery.