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7 Foods That Reduce Inflammation Naturally

Do you or someone you love suffer from inflammation and the pain that comes with it? If so, I'm happy to share with you a little of what I have learned through my journey to heal my inflammation. I will share with you 7 foods that reduce inflammation naturally.

  Before I share some of the secrets I have found, it is important to know what inflammation is. So, what is inflammation?

Inflammation is part of the biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli. These stimuli could be damaged cells, pathogens, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective attempt by your body to remove the detrimental stimuli and to start the healing process. Infections and wounds would never heal without inflammation. Symptoms of inflammation can include swelling, pain, redness, and restriction in movement.

Inflammation can be acute or chronic. Chronic inflammation is prolonged inflammation. It leads to a progressive shift in the type of cells existing at the site of inflammation and is characterized by concurring destruction and healing of the tissue from the inflammatory process. It can cause a load of diseases, such as arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, periodontitis, hay fever, cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases, hypersensitivities, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, acne, celiac disease, autoimmune diseases, asthma, etc. So for that reason, the body closely regulates inflammation.

It is important to reduce inflammation not just because of the pain that it causes you, but also because chronic inflammation is very detrimental to the body. Unlike acute inflammation, where the immune system responds to injury or infection by activating inflammatory chemicals that fight abnormal substances, chronic inflammation isn't beneficial for the body.

The foods you choose to eat can help reduce and prevent inflammation. Foods reduce inflammation naturally, so if you want to get rid of your inflammation naturally, then read on! Below I will share with you 7 foods that reduce inflammation naturally. These foods are called anti-inflammatory foods.

Berries

Goji berries are one of the first foods I choose to eat to rid myself of my horrible inflammation pain, and I noticed a difference within weeks. Goji berries are very high in antioxidants, so they are a great anti-inflammatory along with other wonderful qualities. Blueberries are full of antioxidants and high in phytonutrients. Phytonutrients give anti-inflammatory protection against many diseases. Other types of berries such as raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and cranberries are also high in antioxidants.

Papaya

Papain is a protein-digesting enzyme found in papaya. Papain, along with other nutrients such as vitamin E and C, helps to reduce inflammation and improves digestion. If you are interested in foods that reduce inflammation, and you are a tropical fruit fan, then this is a perfect food for you to eat.

Pineapple

Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that aids in the healing of indigestion, sports injury, trauma and other kinds of swelling and inflammation. Extracts of bromelain are used in various natural anti-inflammatory supplements for arthritis.

Spices

Turmeric is a spice with high anti-inflammatory qualities. Add a teaspoon to your diet each day. Some ways to include turmeric into your diet would be to add it to soups, sprinkling it on scrambled eggs, mixing it into sauces, or salad dressings. Ginger is a relative of turmeric that is also revered internationally for its anti-inflammatory qualities. If you want to reduce inflammation naturally, then try incorporating these spices in your next meals.

Kelp

Kelp contains fucoidan, a kind of carbohydrate that is anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative. Kombu, arame, and wakame are a few types of kelp that can be bought at the grocery store. Kelp has a high fiber content so it also helps to make your feel full and promotes weight loss. Get organic kelp from unpolluted waters.

Spinach

Spinach is a dark green leafy vegetable that is a high source of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative flavonoids and carotenoids. It contains vitamin A, B, B, C, E, K, iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and folate. Make sure to buy organic spinach. Non-organic spinach is sprayed with pesticides and you don't want to be putting more toxins into your body, because that will increase your inflammation. Vegetables, especially dark leafy vegetables are great for decreases inflammation. Choose dark green or brightly colored vegetables.

Broccoli

Broccoli contains anti-inflammatory phytonutrients that help the body to get rid of carcinogenic compounds. It is also a highly nutritious vegetable. Cauliflower is a relative of broccoli, which contains similar components that aid the body's detoxification.

I hope you have found this list of foods that reduce inflammation helpful. Start eating some of these foods, and see what happens. If you already eat some of them, try eating more. The more you eat of these foods, the more you should see a reduction in your inflammation and the pain that goes with it. Here's to a new you... inflammation and pain-free!



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7 Essential Benefits of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a term that you are probably familiar with by now, especially with the many varieties of aromatherapy massage now popularly sold at leading salons and spas all over the world. However, what you may not have realized is that aromatherapy is an age-old practice that can be used at home to treat a number of common and even serious ailments.
Aromatherapy is a healing therapy that uses the essential oils of plants to soothe and treat countless illnesses. The first recorded use of essential oils was more than 6000 years ago as a staple of the Egyptian culture and healing system. Today, aromatherapy is becoming popular for providing the same benefits in our culture, with one of the most common uses being for relaxation and stress relief.
To get you started on your home aromatherapy treatment, here are the top seven benefits that you can expect from using aromatherapy:
1. Improved mood. Rosemary is an essential oil that has been proven to boost the mood and offer feelings of contentment. Even better, this essential oil provides a positive benefit in overall mood and performance by reducing the stress hormone cortisol in the body. At the very least, rosemary in aromatherapy can be used on a regular basis to relieve stress, induce relaxation, and prevent anxiety.
2. Get a better night's sleep! If you find yourself tossing and turning every night and even sleeping pills won't help you to relax, aromatherapy may be the answer that you have been looking for. Aromatherapy is quite helpful for treating sleep disorders, and it is one of the fastest growing alternative therapies in the Western world. The topical use of essential oils will stimulate the limbic system in the brain that controls emotion and mood, meaning that aromatherapy can effectively induce calm, relaxation, and a deep sleep so that you can wake up feeling refreshed.

3. Improve your complexion. Many aestheticians would agree that aromatherapy is a powerful tool to alleviate a number of skin conditions, especially dry and flaky skin. If dry and flaky skin is left untreated, it can cause premature wrinkling and signs of age. For this reason, aromatherapy is helpful to keep the skin youthful, moist, and balanced, and it will also improve even more serious conditions of the skin, like eczema and psoriasis. Many essential oils provide anti-inflammatory benefits to reduce dryness and irritation and calm red and rough skin.
4. Relieve chronic asthma. If you are having difficulty with constant wheezing and coughing caused by asthma, when used wisely and under professional care, aromatherapy can often free asthmatic lungs of irritation. Wheezing is caused by pushing air through swollen bronchial passages, which frequently results in an asthma attack. Professional aromatherapy treatment can provide asthma relief in between these attacks by rubbing anti-histamine and decongestant essential oils, like ginger and peppermint, directly on the chest.
5. Treat nausea and stomach problems. If you suffer with constant digestive issues, like stomach pain, intestinal gas, belching, and nausea, all of the above can be quickly relieved with aromatherapy. In fact, using essential oils for stomach issues in children is a helpful home remedy for any young kids who have difficulty swallowing medicine. Aromatherapy targets the first stage of digestion by signaling the brain that food is on the way to create the immediate response of flowing digestive juices to alleviate a number of stomach issues. Aromatherapy also provides the added benefit of relieving stress and anxiety overall, which is often the cause of nausea and a queasy stomach.
6. Reduce the symptoms of PMS. PMS is something that many women struggle with on a monthly basis, and it can often cause a series of emotional and physical problems. PMS symptoms vary individually from woman to woman, and if you have very severe symptoms around the time of your period, aromatherapy may be the perfect answer. It is helpful to take an aromatic bath or get a massage with essential oils to reduce symptoms like depression, mood swings, irritability, and even bloating and tenderness.
7. Get rid of a bladder infection. Bladder infections are more common than you may realize, especially in women. Fortunately, aromatherapy provides several essential oils to take care of this issue, such as sandalwood, chamomile, tea tree, and juniper berry. However, it is important to use trained aromatherapy techniques for this treatment because treating with too much juniper berry could cause irritation to the kidneys if administered incorrectly. A bladder infection can be quickly treated using aromatherapy by applying the essential oils in a compress over the bladder or taking an aromatherapy bath scented with essential oils.

As you can see, aromatherapy is a legitimate and effective alternative healing therapy. If you are struggling with any of the above issues and are sick of taking medications or using other forms of treatment, aromatherapy offers a gentle substitute that will alleviate numerous illnesses and concerns. Even more importantly, all of the benefits of using aromatherapy listed above are just the beginning since aromatherapy has been proven to treat countless physical and emotional issues!
It is highly important to have legitimate training for the use of aromatherapy since using some essential oils improperly could cause sickness or irritation. Perhaps the simplest way to benefit from aromatherapy is in the form of a massage or bath, which will also provide you with a multitude of relaxation benefits. If you are new to aromatherapy, you can first try out aromatherapy massage from a massage therapist, which will integrate specific essential oils to target any physical or emotional problems you may be struggling with. On top of that, you will receive the anti-stress benefits of massage to relax your muscles, improve circulation, and flush dangerous toxins from your body.
Aromatherapy is a versatile and user-friendly form of healing that offers a long list of home remedies to maintain your health without paying for expensive medications or doctor's visits! Additionally, aromatherapy will also give you the much needed stress relief that you have been looking for to relax and improve your health from the inside out.

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Get Rid of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) by Pressure Canning Your Food

Monosodium Glutamate, otherwise known as MSG, has been linked to a wide variety of illnesses. Everything from headaches to chest pain, and even breathing problems for those who suffer from asthma are just a few of the bad side effects. Pressure canning completely eliminates MSG from the food because you simply don't use it at all during the canning process. You do have to be careful if you don't create your own spice blend when canning, as some of the store bought canning mixes do include it in their blends.
People that are sensitive to Monosodium Glutamate may experience different bad side effects at different times, too. Depending on their personal body chemistry and their health level, the results of ingesting MSG can vary. For instance, someone who has high blood pressure problems may feel a rapid heartbeat. Individuals that suffer from arthritis can have increased swelling and aches in the muscles as though they have the flu. It can even produce neurological problems such as depression, anger management issues, migraines, panic attacks, and insomnia is people that as sensitive or already having problems such as those individuals suffering from fibromyalgia or any type of mental disorder.

Pressure canning can help completely alleviate all of these bad side effects by preserving your foods, home grown or purchased at a farmers market or grocery store, in a healthy way. You will find that using a pressure canner is simple to do and your food will taste significantly better than anything you ever purchase from a grocery aisle. Pressure canning correctly will also leave more of the nutrients in your foods as it is not completely processed out.
The initial cost of pressure canning quickly pays for itself, particularly if you are a home gardener or even if you buy in bulk from a farmers market. Another way might be if you have an overabundance of one food, say tomatoes, you can trade with another gardener for their overabundance of green beans. If you do not have enough space for a garden yourself, community gardens work well. Community gardens where everyone chips in on the weeding and various gardening tasks along with the price of seed can keep your costs much lower as the food is divided amongst those that actually worked the soil and produced the food.

Simply put, if you really want to get rid of the Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) from your life, pressure canning is the best way to store nutritious food and get the job done. It's safer than water baths, the costs are recouped quickly, and it makes for a fun way to get the family involved in a healthier, happier lifestyle.

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Why Lose Weight? Here Is the Answer

Each year millions of people think about dieting to lose some weight only to have the thought stopped with the question, "Why Lose Weight?" After all, as most of us probably know, you torture yourself for 3 or 4 months to drop 15 or 20 pounds and before you know it the weight is back, plus a few extra pounds. So, naturally, the question of why lose weight wins out and we decide to stick with our current lifestyle of over indulging and manipulating the TV remote.

In general, the thought of the process of dieting overshadows the reason for weight loss. The thought of the miles of walking, the eating healthy, and in a lot of cases, the fasting to lose fat, blurs what should be our ultimate goal. That goal should not be to look good but to give us a healthy body. In a lot of cases, we may meet our weight loss goal and be happy with ourselves. The doubt jumps into our head when we don't maintain that goal. It then becomes, in our mind, the diet's fault. Thus comes the question, why lose weight, we're only going to gain it back again.

So, why is it important for us to drop a few pounds? Think about this. Every year, nearly 112 million people die due to being overweight. If you're an adult between 30 and 65 years of age, being 10 to 20 pounds overweight dramatically increases your risk serious illness or even of death. In general, people who are dramatically overweight are more likely to die from their unhealthy lifestyle than people of the same age living their lives at a healthy weight.

Coronary heart disease and heart attack can be directly linked to obesity. It's a fact that people who are overweight or obese suffer more heart attacks than those who are not overweight. High blood pressure and high cholesterol are also more prevalent in those who are overweight. We can also add diabetes to the list of health risks associated with obesity. Facts show that obesity is prevalent in over 80 percent of the people who suffer with diabetes. If you were compiling a list of health problems associated with obesity, you could also add cancer, sleep apnea, asthma, and even arthritis.

Taking into consideration the health risks mentioned above, the question of "Why lose weight?" should be answered. Instead of asking "Why lose weight" maybe the question should be "Why Can't I lose weight?". Keep in mind that anything worth having is worth working for. Our health is one of the most precious possessions we have. So, get back to eating healthy to lose the fat, and walking to firm the muscles, and most of all, make a pledge to keep the weight off. Set your goals beyond just meeting your weight loss goal. Make your goal to be to live healthy and maintain a good weight for a set period of time. Better yet, why not set it as a lifetime goal. That way, the question of "Why lose weight" never comes up again.

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