Category: Health

Diabetes is becoming more and more prevalent within the United States. There are 79 million Americans at least 20 years of age that have been diagnosed as pre-diabetic. Additionally, there are 29 million with diabetes.

Insulin moves sugar (or glucose) from the bloodstream into fat cells, muscle, an the liver. Without the appearance of insulin, the blood glucose levels will climb — which then could lead to severe tissue damage and a plethora of other health issues.

While many rely upon insulin shots and a myriad of other medications, there are those who’d rather operate with more of a holistic approach.

Here are 10 natural ways to prevent diabetes naturally:

1. Exercise Every Day

It’s paramount to get some form of physical activity on a daily basis. This task isn’t always easy — especially when factoring in a full day of work (and in some cases a commute). In any event, 30 minutes of walking is a simple and very manageable amount of time needed to get in the requisite amount of physical activity. Physical activity improves tissue sensitivity to both weight management and insulin.

2. Getting Sleep

It’s imperative to get least 6-8 hours of sleep per night. There are many reasons for why we fail to reach this limit — whether it’s stress, insomnia, an active and creative brain, or even those nights when we partake in one too many adult beverages. Simply stated, poor sleeping habits increase the risk of obesity — when then could lead into diabetes.

3. The Ever-So-Often Alcoholic Beverage

The mass consumption of alcohol isn’t really recommended in any case. Aside from the fact that this could have adverse effects on one’s liver, these drinks are chock-full of sugar. However, moderate alcohol intake (one glass of beer/wine for a woman, two for men) helps to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.

4. Meditation

There are those scoffing at the idea that meditation employs benefits to diabetes prevention. However, mindfulness meditation is a method to lower one’s stress levels. When agitated, glucagon and epinephrine are elevated. When this happens, blood glucose increases and the insulin levels will drop considerably.

5. Avoid Processed Foods

While those bags of chips are super tasty, they aren’t good for you. Any types of food with trans-fats, added sugar, and high levels of sodium will invariably increase one’s risk for diabetes. It also enhances the possibility of weight gain.

6. Limit Red Meat Intake

The consumption of large quantities of red meat could lead to the development of cardiovascular disease — as well as some types of cancer. Duly, some studies have shown a link between type 2 diabetes and the daily intake of red meat. One should also ward off the temptation for processed meats as well — which are high in sugars and sodium.

7. Eat Cleanly

By avoiding processed foods, one can enjoy “real” food — such as vegetables, fruits, fish, low-fat meat (turkey, bison, chicken), nuts, and seeds. The aforementioned examples are beneficial when regulating blood sugar levels. By cooking at home and limiting the occasions of eating out, one saves money in addition to living a healthier lifestyle.

8. Drinking Green Tea

Green tea has a high polyphenol content. As such, it possesses integral antioxidant properties. Polyphenols do a tremendous job in a controlled release of blood sugars — rather than the gradual build-up of them. The consumption of green tea also acts as a soothing experience, which in turns lowers stress levels.

9. Cinnamon Water

Cinnamon has many health benefits. It helps to prevent against cardiovascular issues, can ward off bacterial infections and viruses, and it can also fight diabetes. By dropping some cinnamon into warm water, the concoction will increase one’s metabolic rate. It’s an effective (and cheap) way of combating the side-effects of diabetes.

10. Basil Leaves

Yes, the use of basil leaves will help in a multitude of ways. One can literally eat basil leaves raw, or utilize them cooked. They can also be added to a drink for flavor. Basil leaves hold antioxidants which relieve oxidative stress. This sort of stress is problematic for those on the cusp of being pre-diabetic. As such, these leaves have the ability to lower blood sugar levels.

Unfortunately, asthma is a chronic condition for which there is no cure. The best treatments are aimed at controlling the disease. What constitutes good “control” over asthma? Asthma treatments are deemed effective if the treatment provides relief from troublesome symptoms including coughing and shortness of breath; minimal need for quick-relief medicine; minimal disturbance during the night, allowing for normal sleeping habits; and overall healthy lung and respiratory function.

Two Types of Asthma Treatments

Long-term asthma medications are effective in reducing airway inflammation, which helps to prevent asthmatic symptoms from developing. Inhaled corticosteroids are the most commonly prescribed long-term asthma treatment. These inhaled corticosteroids control asthma by decreasing inflammation and sensitivity to other inhaled substances. One common side effect from these inhaled corticosteroids is “thrush”, a mouth infection. Rinsing one’s mouth out with water after inhaling the corticosteroids can reduce one’s risk for developing thrush.

Other types of long-term asthma treatments include: Cromolyn (a medicine taken using a nebulizer), Omalizumab (a medicine injected via a shot once or twice a month), Inhaled long-acting beta2-agonists (inhaled medications that open the airway), Leukotriene modifiers (pills that reduce inflammation), and Theophylline (pills that reduce inflammation).

Quick-relief asthma treatments are necessary when a person’s asthma symptoms flare up. Quick-relief options work quickly to relax tense muscles around the airway, letting the airway open up while allowing for air to flow through easily. It is recommended to carry the quick-relief inhaler at all times, in case a flare up occurs.

Using a Peak Flow Meter

It is important for persons with asthma to keep track of symptoms, check peak flow regularly, and adhere to physician recommendations. People with asthma should use a peak flow meter, a relatively inexpensive device, to keep track of asthmatic symptoms. A peak flow meter is a portable, handheld device that measures how well air moves out of the lungs. A person using a peak flow meter should blow into the device and record the number or peak flow measurement; this number indicates how well the lungs are functioning when the person blew into the device. Recording one’s peak flow numbers can help to inform the doctor about which medications to take, how often, and the quantity of the medication. Knowing a “personal best” peak flow number is important to know and to share with healthcare professionals as this “personal best” as it helps to track how well the medications are controlling asthmatic symptoms. The peak flow records provide information that can potentially eliminate an asthma attack – if a person notices his/her peak flow numbers are decreasing and that it feels more strenuous to breathe, it is recommended to take a quick-relief medication as indicated by a healthcare professional. After taking the quick-relief medication, taking note of your peak flow number can provide useful information regarding how well the quick-relief medication worked in controlling your asthma attack.

Treatment Options

All persons with asthma are unique and require an individualized treatment approach. There are special considerations for asthma treatments based on various groups of individuals. Below are FDA-approved medication options for asthma treatment.

Long-term control asthma medications

Inhaled corticosteroids
-fluticasone (Flonase, Flovent HFA)
-budesonide (Pulmicort Flexhaler, Rhinocort)
-flunisolide (Aerospan HFA)
-ciclesonide (Alvesco, Omnaris, Zetonna)
-beclomethasone (Qnasl, Qvar)
-mometasone (Asmanex)
-fluticasone furoate (Arnuity Ellipta)

Leukotrine modifiers
-montelukast (Singulair)
-zafirlukast (Accolate)
-zileuton (Zyflo)

Long-acting beta agonists
-salmeterol (Serevent)
-formoterol (Foradil, Perforomist)

Combination inhalers
-fluticasone-salmeterol (Advair Diskus)
-budesonide-formoterol (Symbicort)
-formoterol-mometasone (Dulera)

Theophylline
-Theophylline (Theo-24, Elixophyllin)

Quick-relief asthma medications

Short-acting beta agonists
-albuterol (ProAir HFA, Ventolin HFA)
-levalbuterol (Xopenex)

Ipratropium
-ipratropium (Atrovent)

Oral and intravenous corticosteroids

Lifestyle Improvements to Reduce Asthma Attacks

Use an air conditioner + dehumidifier: Air conditioners reduce the particles of pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds that circulate indoors. The decrease in humidity, due to an air conditioner, can also reduce the presence of dust mites. If a person with asthma lives in a damp, humid climate, he/she should ask a medical professional about using a dehumidifier to improve humid conditions inside the home.

Clean home décor: Investing in dust proof covers may improve asthma symptoms. Changing rugs out for hardwood floors may prevent dust or other asthma triggers from gathering as easily inside the home. Change bed sheets, blankets, and pillowcases regularly to decrease the likelihood of nighttime asthma episodes. Cleaning the entire house – bathroom, kitchen, bedrooms, living room, etc. – can decrease the chance of mold spores developing which can reduce asthmatic outbreaks. Irritants such as pollen, mold, cold air, and pollution can also gather on household items, making it even more important to clean regularly.

Avoid furry pets: Some persons with asthma are sensitive to pet dander and should therefore avoid pets with fur or feathers. If a person already has these types of pets, it’s recommended to have the pets groomed or bathed regularly in order to decrease the amount of dander in the home.

Get vaccinated regularly: Remaining current with vaccinations can prevent unwanted illnesses such as the flu or pneumonia – which can trigger asthma attacks.

Follow the doctor’s instructions:
It’s important for people with asthma to regularly measure peak flow, take medications as prescribed by the doctor, stop activities that are likely to induce an asthma attack, and maintain open lines of communication with a doctor about adjusting treatment options to better suit personal lifestyle factors.

The world as a whole has seemingly become more and more health conscious. The acute desire to better one’s collective health has corresponded with a booming vitamin industry. Over the last decade, the availability of both vitamins and supplements has grown exponentially. No longer are these items found strictly in gyms. In-store establishments have been created to offer customers a wide range of healthy options. Along with this emergence, online stores have completely changed the game. Customers now have the ability to research exactly what they’re willing to put into their body. Duly, the wide range of vitamins/supplements have been organized to make the process an easy one. There are four online shops in particular that are leading companies within the field: Vitamin Shoppe, Vitacost, Vitamin World, and Ideal Vitamins.

Vitamin Shoppe

Since the 1970’s, Vitamin Shoppe has had stores scattered throughout the United States. The company prides itself in providing satisfactory goods at a fair and efficient price. The online store in particular is immensely popular. The website offers more than 20,000 different supplements. With a catalog this dense, its unlikely for a prospective customer to come away dissatisfied. Additionally, the company offers a 100-percent satisfaction guarantee — meaning that customers are allowed returns up to 30 days from the date of purchase. Lastly, customers get 10-percent off all items when signing up officially with the Vitamin Shoppe.

Vitamin World

The interface on Vitamin World’s website is quite easy to use. With a clear and concise presentation, novices in the vitamin world can comfortably peruse the available inventory. The filter tool is extremely helpful. There are certain perks one can utilize when on Vitamin World. For one, there’s a 90-day return policy (which is longer than many of the competitors). Secondly, there are a multitude of promotions — whether it’s a ‘buy one/get one free’ deal, or certain percentages off individual items. There’s a 24-hour/7-day-a-week customer service line present for inquiries and questions. This is particularly nice when attempting to purchase a foreign product.

Ideal Vitamins

Customer service is of tremendous importance to Ideal Vitamins. Aside from a 100-percent guarantee on any purchase, all orders come with free shipping. This is a fantastic perk — especially when virtually every other competitor requires payment for shipping. Much like Vitamin World, the site offers much in the way of functionality and feasibility. There are also ‘deals of the day’ which can be acquired through signing up with the company. Customers will receive promotions, discounts, and exclusive offers via email.

Vitacost

By signing up with Vitacost, customers instantly get 10-percent off items, free shipping events, health tips, and exclusive offers. The easy-to-use site is punctuated by a clean interface and categorical breakdowns. Specific items (health care, powders, equipment) also allow discounts with promo codes made available at the top of the site. Another nice aspect of Vitacost is the appearance of the site’s most popular items listed neatly on the second half of the front page. Like other companies, Vitacost offers a nice variety of supplements and vitamins.

As one can see, these four online stores truly cater to the needs of those customers in search of quality supplements and vitamins. With the discounts and perks, one can purchase speciality items at a fraction of the price. Feel free to check out one of our sponsored listings to learn more and get your hands on some healthy vitamin supplements.