Herbs and plants are very powerful and effective sources of medication, and it is a known fact that actually herbal medicine was the point of origin for the majority of modern medical approaches and treatments. In our daily life, we frequently use herbal remedies to treat the symptoms of common ailments and diseases, such as colds, insomnia and many others. Herbal products are available in our drugstores or health food stores in the forms of dietary supplements, herbal extracts, tinctures, lotions, liquid extracts, capsules and so on. Herbal remedies do really work for many health concerns. Besides, they can be appealing to a lot of people because usually we are convinced that everything natural can not cause any harm. That is why over the last decade, worldwide consumption of herbal remedies, and especially herbal supplements, has been firmly increasing.
Undoubtedly, herbal remedies and treatments hold a special place in modern medicine. For the last 50 years, the humanity have been seeing tremendous progress and remarkable advancements in modern health care industry, but this substantial development of medical technologies and approaches is associated with a certain rise of people’s expectations from today’s medicines. Modern pharmaceuticals are extremely helpful and effective in treating many common ailments and serious diseases, including the ones which were supposed to be incurable for many years. At the same time, along with increasing power and potency of contemporary pharmaceutical medicines, the number, frequency and severity of the side effects they cause is also increasing. Therefore, the effectiveness of such remedies as a relief to our health problems was jeopardized.
In constant search for more effective treatments and health solutions, we finally came back to our roots. Lately, a certain rediscovery of our traditions and practices of ancient folk medicine took place, and a great number of people learned again about the advantages and positive influences that herbal remedies can have on our health. Many of such remedies were never actually forgotten and have been used for treating various common diseases and ailments. Many natural materials and components were rediscovered and started being used again in our medical industry as effective and potent natural ingredients, which can not only provide relief, but also become powerful agents in getting the cure of the most serious diseases.
At the same time, a decision to use herbal remedies is a serious step, and everyone who wants to try this natural approach needs to remember that herbal remedies are also medicines, which can potentially be a serious risk to our health and cause unwanted side effects, such as allergies, problems with blood pressure, increased heart rate, stroke, seizure and others. Herbal remedies contain very strong chemical ingredients, and if taken in excessive dosages or in conjunction with some other conflicting medications, it will be hardly possible to avoid dangerous reactions of the body. That is why in order to minimize all the risks, it is essential to talk about the specific herbal remedy you are about to use with your doctor, and always use only high quality natural medicines, which are produced according to the highest quality standards.
Linda
Advanced Health Help Please!!!?
Which of the following statements best describes herbal and prescription medications?
A. They always work well together.
B. They can never be taken together.
C. They can always be taken together.
D. They may change the effects of each other.
For most forms of alternative medicine __________.
A. much scientific research has been done on the benefits
B. primary care providers do not need to know about its use
C. states require strict licensure
D. the benefits have not been proven with scientific research
A naturopathic doctor, ND, __________.
A. can provide primary care in all states
B. must be a chiropractor
C. is recognized as a primary care provider in some states
D. is the only primary care provider that can use alternative medicine
Herbal remedies __________.
A. should never be taken as a tea
B. can almost always substitute for prescription medication
C. can always be taken safely with prescription medication
D. come in many different forms
Gingko biloba is thought to have some effect on __________.
A. healthy joints
B. memory
C. depression
D. cold and flu symptoms
A popular herbal remedy used to decrease cold and flu symptoms is __________.
A. echinacea
B. omega-3 fatty acid
C. St. John’s wort
D. gingko biloba
A major difference between alternative and conventional medications is that __________.
A. alternative medicines have no side effects
B. alternative medicines may take longer to produce their effects
C. conventional medicines are usually less expensive
D. conventional medicines usually take longer to work
Homeopathy involves __________.
A. giving the patient a diluted substance that will cause the same or similar symptoms
B. concentrating on the symptoms instead of the cause of symptoms
C. health sciences, technology, and research
D. electromagnetic fields
Alternative medicine is the use of __________.
A. only medicine based in cultural or religious practices
B. practices that do not follow conventional medicine
C. only scientifically based and researched practices
D. only dietary supplements
The goal of hypnotherapy is to __________.
A. take control of a patient’s mind while under hypnosis
B. teach people to use physical and emotional cues to respond to stress
C. use magnets
D. use trigger points
A naturopathic doctor (ND) __________.
A. is usually a chiropractor
B. is the only licensed provider that may practice alternative medicine
C. is recognized in all states
D. may provide primary care in some states
Primary health providers __________.
A. are usually experts in alternative medicine
B. do not need to learn more about alternative medicine
C. usually have not had much training in alternative medicine
D. should not need to know their patients’ alternative medicine practices
Which supplements may assist in the prevention of cardiovascular disease?
A. echinacea and gingko biloba
B. omega-3 fatty acids and garlic
C. echinacea and kava
D. kava and St. John’s Wort
D. They may change the effects of each other.
D. the benefits have not been proven with scientific research
C. is recognized as a primary care provider in some states
D. come in many different forms
B. memory
A. echinacea
A. alternative medicines have no side effects
A. giving the patient a diluted substance that will cause the same or similar symptoms
B. practices that do not follow conventional medicine
B. teach people to use physical and emotional cues to respond to stress
D. may provide primary care in some states
C. usually have not had much training in alternative medicine
B. omega-3 fatty acids and garlic
References :
Diet is one way we can contribute to better health – and so is physical activity. Check out our featured fitness video for a new way to work out, or our complete library of fitness videos online. Whether it’s nutritious, omega-3-rich recipes or online fitness tracking tools, Fitness Republic has all the resources you need to help you achieve all your health and fitness goals.
Everywhere we look, it’s omega this and omega that. We’re told to take it in supplements and eat foods that contain it. But which ones are best? And where do we start?
Omega Overview
Essential Fatty Acids, or EFAs, are needed to keep our skin and tissue supple, especially for our blood vessels and nerves. And since we can’t manufacture them in our own bodies, we must get them from our diet. These essential fatty acids are called Omega-3 and Omega-6.
It’s important to maintain a good balance of both – approximately 2 to 1 in favor of omega-3, according to the renowned authority on fats, Udo Erasmus (though some researchers say otherwise.) But the North American diet provides such an abundance of omega-6 – found in plant oils like canola, corn, peanut, safflower, sesame, soy, sunflower and walnut – that the correct balance can be difficult to achieve.
This imbalance is being blamed for many of the health problems we face today such as cancer, heart disease and inflammation. Research shows that omega-3s help with more than twice as many degenerative diseases as omega-6s. That’s why the importance of omega-3s has been emphasized so much recently.
Why take them?
Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. And because they’re highly concentrated in brain tissue, they’re also important for memory and overall mental performance. Symptoms of omega-3 fatty acid deficiency include weakness, mental deterioration, dry skin, high blood pressure, edema, and immune dysfunction.
Right to the source
The primary source of omega-3 in plant-based foods is alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Sources include flaxseeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, soy and walnuts, to name a few. ALA is the essential fatty acid the body uses to make the other omega-3’s – eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are the most beneficial for lowering blood fat levels.
However, little conversion of EPA and DHA will take place if a person is deficient in ALA. The intake of essential nutrients – vitamins B3, B6 and C, plus the minerals magnesium and zinc – are believed to boost the conversion to above the normal rate of 2.7% of ALA to EPA and DHA.
You can also directly obtain EPA and DHA from seafood such as albacore tuna, salmon, mackerel, sardines and rainbow trout, but it’s important to know the source of your fish due to toxins and mercury levels. In addition to lowering blood fat levels, EPA and DHA are said to have even more anti-inflammatory properties than ALA.
Your daily dose
Fish
If you’re not a vegetarian and you can choose safe wild sources, adding the seafood listed above in your diet will give you a direct amount of EPA and DHA
You can also supplement with fish oil, but talk to your nutritionist or health care provider on brands and dosage
As a preventative for cardiovascular disease, it’s recommended to eat a portion of oily fish 2-3 times weekly, or supplement with 500-1000 mg of EPA and DHA
The fish should not be fried. It’s best to boil them whole so their oils aren’t destroyed by heat, light and air. Eaten raw as sushi is also optimal
Check with your health care professional for exact dosage recommendations, as dosage will need to be adjusted based on specific concerns
Flax
Add freshly ground flax seeds to your cereal, smoothies and any soup or sauce when serving. Cooking foods that contain EFAs will quickly deplete them. They’re also sensitive to light and heat, and can easily go rancid if not properly stored in a dark container, or in the fridge or freezer
Two tablespoons of flax seeds contain two grams of protein, four grams of fiber, four grams of EFAs and important nutrients like calcium, potassium, magnesium, selenium, choline, and vitamin E
If supplementing with oil, the typical recommended dosage is around one tablespoon, but can be adjusted accordingly
Chia
Chia seeds pack a nutty, crunchy flavor, so they’re great on salads, and excellent in homemade energy bars
An ounce of chia seeds gives you 4 grams of protein, 10 grams of fiber, 6 grams of EFAs and contains other important nutrients like calcium
Always check with your health care professional before beginning high levels of supplementation. EFAs can act as a blood thinner, so exercise caution – especially before any surgical procedure.
Source: http://www.fitnessrepublic.com/nutrition/supplements-vitamins/oh-mega.html
References :
Source: http://www.fitnessrepublic.com/nutrition/supplements-vitamins/oh-mega.html