Alternative Health
Health Benefits of Bitter Melon
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Many vegetables are known for their numerous health benefits. Diets composed of more vegetables can reduce the risk of chronic disease and other health ailments. Vegetables can supply the body of necessary nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber that are vital for development and maintenance of the body and internal organs. In addition, many vegetables contain disease-fighting phytochemicals that can help reduce the risk of different kinds cancers, heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
One such health-promoting vegetable is called bitter melon or bitter gourd (Momordica Charantia). Aside from being a food source, bitter gourd is also used as a source of alternative medicine. This vegetable grows in tropical areas like East Africa, Asia, South Africa, and the Caribean. It is rich in iron, calcium, potassium, beta carotene, and phosphorus. Improving the body’s insulin levels is one of the primary health benefits of bitter melon. Many researches shows that this vegetable increases the production of beta cells in the pancreas which leads to improvement in the insulin production of the body. Aside from insulin production, bitter melon is also used to treat sores, eczema, leprosy, skin infections, and even leukemia.
Bitter melon is said to be a remedy for infections associated with retroviruses, including the ones that cause Human Immunodeficiency Disease (HIV). It is said that this vegetable can also destroy strains of herpes virus. Bitter melon has been used as a folk remedy to treat infections and other diseases. In addition to these properties, leaf extracts of bitter melon have indicated antibacterial activities against e.coli, a specie of bacteria that can live in the lower intestines of mammals and human beings. This bacteria is responsible for urinary tract infection and gastrointestinal ailments. It is also used as potent antihelmintic (drugs that destroy parasitic worms) substance that eliminate worms from the intestinal tract. For external use, bitter melon has been acknowledged to heal skin eruptions, chapped skin, burns, hemorrhoids, and psoriasis.
Because of the health benefits of bitter melon, it is now widely used as a dietary supplement. Over the years, health researchers have verified the efficacy of the bitter melon as an alternative medicinal product. Bitter melon capsules are now available in the market as alternative treatment for diabetes, viruses, colds, and other ailments. However, these products should also be used with certain precautions because it may also cause side effects and may interact with certain over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs, and other herbal medicines.
Pregnant women are not encouraged to use this product because it may cause uterine contractions. Bitter melon should not be used by hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) individuals because it may worsen or cause lower blood sugar levels. In addition, diabetics who use prescription hypoglycemic drugs or insulin should avoid bitter melon or bitter melon supplements, unless prescribed by a physician. People with cirrhosis of the liver and medical history of hepatitis or HIV should also refrain from using this herb.
While many health experts are already praising bitter melon for its health benefits, the said supplement should not be regarded as a stand-alone medicine and should be taken only with the approval of doctors and other health experts.
Bitter Melon as Diabetes Treatment
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Bitter melon or Momordica Charantia is a vegetable which grows in tropical areas like East Africa, Asia, South Africa, and the Caribbean. This vegetable is rich in iron, beta carotene, calcium, potassium, phosphorus and other dietary fibers. In many countries, it is also used as an herbal medicine due to its properties that help improve insulin production. Clinical studies show that bitter melon increases the production of beta cells in the pancreas which leads to improvement in the insulin production of the body. It is also believed to be beneficial for the liver and can act as an anti-tumor agent. Because of its health benefits, bitter melon is used by many as an alternative treatment for diabetes.
Diabetes is a disease that is characterized by the presence of high levels of blood glucose and by the secretion of excess glucose in the urine. This ailment develops because of relatively low levels of insulin which leads to irregular carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism. Diabetic persons feel hungry and thirsty most of the time. In addition, these people get easily tired physically and mentally. They may also suffer from constipation, excessive itchiness around the genital area, and general weakness. Other body parts that are affected by diabetes are the heart, kidney, eyes, blood vessels, and the nerves. In addition to these health effects, diabetes is one of the major causes of erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence among men.
Diabetes causes impotence because it alters the body systems such as the circulatory, nervous, and the endocrine system. The organs in these systems all work in harmony to let blood flow into the penis so erection can take place. Higher levels of glucose caused by diabetes damages the blood vessels and the nerves. Complications in the state of blood vessels may hamper the flow of blood to the penis, hampering erection. In addition, a number of medical studies show that diabetic persons are more likely to have low testosterone levels. Testosterone is a hormone that is responsible enhanced libido, energy, and other reproductive health concerns. Men with type 1 diabetes are more likely to become impotent once they reach 40 years of age.
Many health experts are recommending the use of alternative medicines like better melons for diabetic management. Many studies show that bitter melon is able to reduce the blood sugar levels in the body. Charantin, polypeptide P, and oleonolic acid glcosides are some of the ingredients of bitter melon that are essential in diabetes treatment. Charantin consists of mixtures of natural steroids which are shown to reduce blood sugar levels in the body. Polypeptide P, contains alkaloids that can also promote healthy blood sugar levels. Oleanolic acid glycosides, on the other hand, may prevent the retention of sugar from the intestines. Improvements in these area leads to improved insulin levels in the body
Diabetes can be treated with alternative medicine and adjustments in lifestyles. Many health experts advice diabetic persons to include bitter melon in their diet to reduce their intake of anti-diabetic drugs. This alternative healing method, however, should not be regarded as a stand-alone treatment.
Safety First: Properly Using Alternative Herbal Medicine Effectively
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Herbal products are the perfect choice for individuals who want to avoid using expensive synthetic medical products and their documented side-effects. It’s true that synthetic medicines are carefully formulated for maximum treatment, but we can never deny that there might be certain reactions on our bodies when take them in.
The Safe Alternative Solution To Health Problems
Being an affordable medical solution, herbal medicines can be seen in large quantities being sold in the market and quite a lot of consumers today are opting for this method than those normally prescribed by medical practitioners. Doctors and other medical specialist today are even prescribing the use of alternative herbal medicines for a speedy recovery and boosting a person’s immune system for a permanent health improvement.
These products make use of 100% natural ingredients and none of the components used in synthetic medications distributed today. But despite the safety that herbal medicines promises to everyone, it is quite possible to incur some problems with it if we’re not careful.
Safety First — Get The Right Product For Your Health Problem
Don’t just buy any herbal product in the market without properly consulting a professional whether it would work for you or not. Also, we can never be too sure how the herbal ingredients would react in our body’s composition so its best to let your doctor or any medical practitioner check you out first to avoid allergic reactions from happening in your system.
Keep in mind that pretending to your doctor about your illness so you can make use of this affordable health solution is not safe. You might leave some important details out that would prove to be a problem later on when you proceed to take the medicine in regular doses. Always be honest during the consultation with your doctor for them to arrive at an accurate diagnosis whether the herbal product is the one for you or not.
Check The Company That Made The Herbal Product
Even if you have a name of the herbal product to use, it would be best to take matters into your own hands and do your research well to avoid complications during use. You can look for information about the herbal medicine on the Web, specifically about the company that created it and consumers who used it to address their health problems.
While you’re at it, you might want to check out the ingredients used in the herbal product, as well as the proper formulation to ensure that you won’t suffer from overdose when you take it in. You can also search for consumer comments and suggestions about the herbal medicine to determine whether it’s safe for you to use or not.
Follow The Proper Dosage
Many would think that herbal products are 100% safe to use and would often take more than the prescribed dosage in order to speed up the effects. This is a misconception that often leads to more complications than getting rid of your health problem. Before using your herbal product, it is very important to read the label for the correct dosage. You can also ask your doctor for some advice if you don’t trust the indications on the herbal product.
As with the old medical adage, following the right process of healing will results to a speedy recovery; and making up your own prescription and instruction would only bring around disastrous results. Just follow the prescription and instructions in taking in your alternative herbal medicine to get the best treatment for your declining health.
Health Savings Accounts
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If you are considering changing your health insurance
policy, you should be aware of the alternative of a
Health Savings Account (HCA).
Health Savings Accounts started to become available
(and legal) in 2004, allowing people with
high-deductible insurance policies to set aside
tax-free money to fund medical expenses up to the
maximum deductible amount.
If you don’t have to use the funds, it rolls over
every year. Once you reach age 65, you no longer are
required to use it for medical expenses, although you
certainly can; you can withdraw funds under the same
conditions as a regular IRA.
Although you will be penalized if you use the funds
for non-medical expenses prior to age 65, you can use
the money for vision care, alternative medicine or
treatment and dental care.
For 2008, an individual may fund up to $2,900 tax
free. The maximum deductible would be $1100 and the
maximum out-of-pocket cost would be $5,600.
For a family, the maximum tax-free contribution is
$5,800 with the maximum deductible of $2,200 and the
maximum out-of-pocket cost would be $11,200.
Health Savings Accounts are certainly a viable way to
shelter income while providing catastrophic insurance
coverage in light of the high cost of low-deductible
health insurance plans.
For healthy people, it deserves some research. Consult
with your insurance agent for all of the details
involving this approach to managing your insurance
needs.
Analysis Of Alternative Health Treatments
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Are you considering an alternative health treatment? Buying a nutritional supplement? Need hard facts on the effectiveness of a therapy?
When evaluating an alternative therapy, as with conventional therapies, there are two basic factors you want to look at: Benefits and Cost.
The benefits can be hard to sleuth out. Many treatments are buried under so much hype, marketing material or legend that it’s hard to figure out the real benefits. Here are several ways to find out how effective the therapy is.
User experiences
Other people who have used the product are going to be some of your best sources for information. Printed testimonials have limited use, though, as many of them are fictitious, or exaggerated. A better method is to actually talk to people who have used the therapy and get their opinions first hand. Try to talk to people who have had good and bad experiences. With the people who have had bad experiences, you may find that most of them did not properly use the therapy, in which case you can probably discount them.
Scientific information
Ask your health professional or a sales representative for scientific research on the product or service you are looking at. You can also look for scientific data on PubMed or at libraries.
The cost of a therapy or treatment is not just the financial cost. While price should be figured in, a treatment that really works is worth a lot of money, but one that doesn’t is not worth anything. So price should not be your first concern.
The primary cost you should be concerned with is side effects. Are their side effects that you may experience while taking the therapy? Are there possible long term health risks? Long term damage to your health is a very high price to pay for a treatment.
With careful evaluation, you can choose an effective treatment or therapy that will work for you, without bad side effects.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Alternative Medicine
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If you have rheumatoid arthritis you may have often thought about seeking an alternative health practitioner, but have not known how to approach the matter. You may be considering alternative medicine now for your arthritis, because you have been treated unsuccessfully for years by conventional medicine.
Having been treated for rheumatoid arthritis over a lengthy period your condition may be rather advanced, that is not to say that alternative medicine would be unable to treat it, but rather the treatment would be slow and steady in order to avoid any aggravation of your arthritis.
Unfortunately patients often expect fast results from their chosen alternative practitioner, however, this will most certainly not be the case, for years of taking prescription drugs will have more than likely left you in a debiliated condition.Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with prescription drugs fails to treat the cause of your disease, it only treats symptoms, this results in suppression, and you spend the rest of your life with intermittent flare-ups and exacerbations of your disease with no cure ever in sight.
Rheumatoid arthritis is considered to be an auto-immune disease, with an unknown cause. This diagnosis rather absolves you of all responsibility for your disease, having received your diagnosis you then proceed unquestioningly to commence a regime of potent drugs for your rheumatoid arthritis without doing any research on the disease yourself.
Have you ever asked why your immune system has decided to attack you, rather than protect you? If you gave this some serious thought you might decide to make some lifestyle changes in order to help your immune system regain it’s innate intelligence. You may ask what lifestyle changes you might have to make in order to regain your health. Basically there really is only one change, and that is your diet. The answer is simple, eat fresh organic fruits and vegetables, eliminate fast foods, highly processed foods, aspartame, MSG, saturated fats, refined carbohydrates, cigarettes, alcohol, diet sodas, and all other sodas.
If you would prefer to keep your rheumatoid arthritis, your junk diet and prescription drugs then that’s your choice and you will undoubtedly pay for your choice with lifelong sickness. However, if you make the effort to change your diet you will reap the benefits, and you will be richly rewarded with vibrant health.
Traveling Alternative Roads: Other Options for Health Care
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Health insurance can be expensive if you are not lucky enough to have it provided by your employer. Even shopping around for the best quotes may not be within your budget. Luckily there are alternatives to health insurance that you can take advantage of so that you and your family will be safe even if an emergency situation comes up. You can apply for the prescription discount card program, which is a low monthly cost and works at most of the of corporation drug stores that we all use. There are also programs that give you health care but are not considered “health insurance”.
The prescription discount card is great for anyone who has regular prescriptions that need to be filled over a long period of time. The cost of prescriptions without insurance is high and always rising. If you cannot afford health insurance, there is no way that buying these full priced prescriptions will come without difficulty. You can enroll in a discount card program on the Internet or you can call around to try and find one locally. The reported savings for each person is estimated to be at least 50%, and some programs will enroll you for under $5 a month.
Health care programs are another popular alternative to expensive health insurance. BeniCard, for example, is a highly acclaimed health care program, and for a small monthly fee, you can have your immediate family covered. You will not be turned down because there is no limit to who is eligible, even if you have a pre-existing condition. It is not health insurance, but you will be able to save money on doctor visits, vision and hearing care, dental services, and prescription drugs. This is just one of the programs that can help you if you cannot get health insurance due to expense or because you have been turned down due to an illness.
No one should go without health care of some sort. Prescriptions are extremely costly without insurance, and if you or someone in your family has an emergency health situation, you could be left with a large debt for years. Insurance companies are hesitant to accept anyone with a pre-existing illness because it will definitely cost them plenty of money. For anyone who has been turned down for health insurance or simply cannot afford to pay a deductible, health care programs and prescription discounts are a low-cost alternative that could save you money.
The Good and Bad Side of Ginseng
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The use of herbs and other alternative medicine is a long-time approach to strengthen the body and promote overall health. Alternative medicine involves practices that are used as replacements for conventional medicines. Many people prefer to use them instead of over-the-counter medication based on the belief that these alternative medicines do not bring any side effects. People have used herbs for centuries to treat disease and other infections. Herbs contain many active substances that can trigger side effects or interact with drugs, supplements, or other herbs. This is the reason why herbs should taken with extreme care and caution.
Ginseng is one of the famous alternative medications used to treat stress, anxiety, fatigue, and other physical illness. It contains combinations of carbohydrate compounds, nitrogenous compounds, and other necessary vitamins and minerals. Ginseng is used to treat fever, fatigue, respiratory tract disorders, and other illness. In addition, this herb supports cancer treatment. It helps rebuild cells and give strength to muscles, which are necessary for cancer treatment. Other benefits may include increased vitality, extended endurance, relieved body stress, balanced metabolism, and many more. Ginseng is also a treatment for sexual health because it helps cure sexual dysfunction for both sexes. This herb can be an alternative for women who suffer from post-menopause symptoms. Ginseng is most famous because of its ability to slow down the aging process, it is used as a supplement in various anti-aging medicines. Many alternative drugs like ginsengs are out in the market to boost energy, concentration, and enhance physical or cognitive performance. Many ginsengs are believed to act as tonics that improve the body’s balance, enhance stamina, and resistance to diseases.
The health benefits of ginseng have been proven by medical researches. However, this herb is not a perfect herb. Just like any over the counter and alternative medicines, there are possible side effects that can be encountered while using it. The most usual side effects of ginseng are:
· High blood pressure
· Insomnia
· Restlessness
· Anxiety
· Euphoria
· Diarrhea
· Vomiting
· Headache
· Nosebleed
· Breast pain
· Vaginal bleeding
In addition to these side effects, large amounts of ginseng can cause trouble to individuals with diabetes. Ginseng may lower blood sugar levels, and possibly result to lessened blood sugar levels. Too low blood sugar levels may result to shakiness, sweating, distorted speech, loss of muscle control, and confusion. Unregulated cases of extremely low blood sugar may lead to unconsciousness and even death.
There are possibilities that ginseng can lead to unwanted health effects when it is mixed with other substances. Caffeine, for instance, when taken with ginseng may cause excessive nervousness and irritability. Beverages with caffeine like coffee, tea, and sodas should not be consumed with ginseng. Some interactions with herbal products and medications may be severe than others. Seeking advice from medical specialists is the best way to avoid harmful interactions. Medications currently taken, including supplements, vitamins, and over the counter products are factors that should be considered before taking herbal medication.
How Alternative Medicine Fits into Today’s Society
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Think you don’t know what alternative medicine is? It’s more common than you think, and now has a firm place in the world today. Certain therapies not formerly thought of as legitimate medical treatments are now being used on a more frequent basis to treat a variety of ailments, quite often with endorsement from the medical community. Some of the more common types of alternative medicine treatments include:
• Massage therapy
• Aromatherapy
• Hydrotherapy
• Acupuncture
• Herbal Remedies
• Meditation
• Spiritual therapy
More than likely, you are familiar with many of these treatments; maybe you have even experienced a few yourself. Many of these treatments are not only used to treat many common health problems, but are used by people all over the world in order to achieve total well-being.
For thousands of years, the treatments deemed alternative today were standard practice. And now, people seem to be turning to these optional therapies when they are in a health crisis, or if they feel they have nowhere else to turn.
There are factions of people throughout the world who prefer to take advantage of the natural effects that alternative medicines and therapies offer, rather than depend on synthetic drugs to cure or prevent ailments. Herbal medication have the benefit of being completely organic, or from the earth, and often provide equivalent remedies to prescription drugs.
Alternative medicines and treatments have become part of the fabric of our society today. While many of these therapies are meant to be used as a treatment for a health problem, some are used by people as simply a method of relaxation or reward. Chief among them is massage therapy. Massage has become incorporated into the routines of many individuals in today’s society as a means of stress reduction, rather than pain relief.
Meditation is another form of alternative medicine that has become an integral part of many lives in today’s society. With its roots steeped in ancient spiritual history, meditation acts like massage in that it provides a release for stress and anxiety. In order to perform mediation correctly, though, you should learn as much as you can about it first. Many people enjoy this type of alternative therapy a great deal because of the personal control they have when performing it. Many individuals in today’s society highly recommend meditation as a type of alternative medicine.
The stresses of today’s society have led some to cry out for change. Many find solace and healing in alternative medicine treatments. The natural treatments and calming effects of many of them are exactly what many people have been searching for in order to reduce their stress. The average person is forced to deal with a large amount of stress on a daily basis. Alternative medicine and treatments bring relief to the stresses and anxiety that people of today’s society feel weighed down by.
In today’s society, we see a great deal of stress, anxiety, and illnesses. Alternative medicine provides a viable option to traditional medicine that aids people in the maintenance of their well-being in their busy lives. Massage therapy and meditation are two common treatments that people can turn to, that can also have a positive effect on today’s society as a whole. As we move forward in society, you will continue to see a shift towards more acceptance of alternative medicine and therapy.
Alternative Mental Health Care Solutions
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A patient of psychological disorder would usually get his treatments through medication and services of a mental health institution or facilities. However, advocates of Complementary and Alternative Medicine believe that there are less intensive, more holistic approaches that could be rendered to these patients in conjunction to their medical treatments. While they do not have approved therapeutic claim and there are no conclusive proofs that these alternatives really work they have been practiced for years and have yielded significant positive results in their own fields. Here are the suggested alternative solutions to mental health care:
Slowing down
Daily stressors contribute to the development of several mental health disorders. In fact, stress itself is considered as a threat to mental health. It disrupts sleep, thinking and rest and it usually affects the way we function everyday. Thus it is suggested to adopt several methods that will help lessen and manage the negative stressors we are exposed to everyday.
Biofeedback – This method is normally used in treating mental health disorders such as phobias, panic and anxiety. This works by controlling the involuntary muscle functioning such as skin temperature and heart rate and by controlling muscle tension.
Massage therapy – This method advances the belief the tapping, rubbing, and brushing the skin and muscle groups could relieve pent up emotions and internal tension. People suffering from severe cases of stress and post-traumatic disorders are usually advised to take get massage therapy regularly.
Visualization – Another method to lessen tension and stress is to redirect the perception and the individual techniques on visualization. This works by entering into a deep state of relaxation where the person could create relaxing and “friendly” images that will contribute to his well-being and lessen the occurrence of unwanted thoughts that are detrimental to one’s mental health.
Traditional alternative approaches
Ayurdeva – Imported from Indian Traditional Medicine, Ayurdeva is a holistic approach to caring your mental health. This seeks balance on the body energies rather than on the symptoms that affect the body. This system of traditional treatments includes yoga, a widely practiced alternative solution in the Western world these days. Yoga makes use of postures, exercises, stretches and meditation to achieve the balance of body energies.
Native American approaches – Cleansing rituals and chants are part of the Indian Health Services Programs that are focused on treating people suffering from depression, stress-related disorders and anxiety disorders.
Acupuncture – Used in treating many other ailments in the body, acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical approach that could also be used as treatment to mental disorders. This makes use of needles with various sizes that are inserted to different pressure points in the body to be able to control its flow of energy.
Diet and Nutrition
According to studies, diet and nutrition affects the manner by which our brains work. If it is deprived with certain nutrients, the brain may fail to function the way it should be.
Vitamin and nutrient intake – According to some studies, there are specific vitamins that our brain needs in order to produce other chemicals that are crucial in maintaining our moods. Also, some vitamins are important in preventing the development of neurological and degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, proper intake of these vitamins and minerals plus supplementation of essential nutrients are highly recommended to maintain mental health.
Mental health care does not only need to include medical treatments, support of other approaches is also needed to maximize the possibility of patient recovery.
