The Two Primary Causes of Candida

Many people are not familiar with the name Candida, but everyone has heard of what it causes: yeast infections.  Candida is a type of yeast and Candida albicans is the specific yeast that is responsible for yeast infections and thrush in women, men, and children. 

The term Candida is used to indicate the name of the yeast and often to refer to a yeast overgrowth.  Another commonly used term is candidiasis which can be used interchangeably with yeast infection, although candidiasis could refer to any type of yeast overgrowth in the body.

Candida is naturally occurring in the human body and in most cases is kept in balance by beneficial bacteria (or flora) in the digestive system.  However, in some situations Candida can grow to dangerous levels and cause a number of health problems.  This is seen frequently in people with compromised immune systems. The incidence of yeast infections and Candida continue to rise in the United States and that can be attributed to two primary factors.

The first of these factors is the significant use of antibiotics.  Antibiotics are prescribed for a wide range of illnesses and for good reason, but there is a downside, too.  The side effect of using certain types of antibiotics is that in addition to eliminating the bad bacteria, they can also kill the beneficial bacteria that people need in their digestive systems.  It is the beneficial bacteria that keep some organisms such as Candida down at reasonable levels in our bodies.  When the bacteria are no longer there, the Candida can quickly rise to unhealthy levels and the problems begin.

There are many times when it is absolutely necessary to take antibiotics, but one should take steps to replenish the beneficial bacteria in their body as soon as possible.  One safe and easy way to do this is with probiotics or acidophilus supplements found at most health food stores.  These supplements are inexpensive and are a great help in getting the body back into balance quickly.

The other basic reason the Candida is such a problem these days is our diet.  Candida thrives on food with lots of refined sugars, heavily processed foods, simple carbohydrates, dairy, and alcohol.  That list of foods comprises the bulk of the diet for so many people in the United States today.  As long as those foods continue to be the bulk of a person’s calories, it will be nearly impossible to get rid of Candida.  Even if Candida were not an issue, it is better to eat less processed foods and sugars anyway.

Fortunately, much research is being done on how to take care of existing Candida infections and keep them from returning.  For any solution to work it needs to look at the entire process.  Get rid of the infection, eliminate the root causes, and make the necessary changes to keep it from returning.

 

Electronic Air Filter: Why You Need One & Which One Should You Buy?

We all take breathing for granted, and hardly ever give it a second thought.  We have existed this long without any apparent problems.  Why must we be worried about an issue we can not actually see…right?

Regrettably, there’s a concealed issue that we cannot see, but which will potentially do us serious physical harm if preventive steps aren’t taken.  The fact is we’re encompassed by air that is horribly dirty. It is polluted by fumes from gases and chemicals, pet dander, dust, dirt, smoke to name just a few of these unpleasant elements.

So, how can we remove these types of harmful particles from our home and make sure the air we are breathing is pure?  We need to use an electronic air filter!

Here’s Why You Should Choose An Electronic Air Filter:

An electronic air filter is a relatively inexpensive and low maintenance way of eliminating airborne contaminants from the atmosphere in your house. Using electrostatic technology to provide a kind of filterless air purifier, electronic air filters really are a safe method to keep your air particle, fume and dust-free.

These filterless air purifiers operate by employing the scientific principle of electrostatics. This law signifies that materials with opposite charges are attracted to one another. Thus electronic air filters harness the power of this principle by collecting the air and giving any particles gathered a charge. The charge emitted by electronic air filters is completely safe to humans, but pulls the collected contaminants to a plate inside the unit, where they stay, safety extracted from your breathing air.

A typical electronic air filter is ninety five percent effective in eliminating particles and fumes from the air in your home, collecting the offending substances on plates kept safely inside the unit. A few people find this idea to be a drawback to electronic air filters as these collection plates must be cleaned frequently.  This is, nevertheless, a relatively basic job, as the collection plates are easily cleaned by wiping them with a wet cloth. This simple maintenance job ensures that your electronic air purifier continues to be effective in keeping your atmosphere dust, fume and particle-free.

Additionally, an electronic air filter has the benefit of cleaning the oxygen of your entire home if the unit is positioned in the proper place and the correct settings are used. This enables you to clean the oxygen inside your whole house with the use of one device that is devoted as much as you are to keeping your loved ones healthy.

Finding the Right Electronic Air Filter:

A number of individuals become totally baffled when they’re attempting to shop for an electronic air filter. The options that are available to them turn out to be quite overwhelming. Nevertheless, with some work it’s feasible to discover the ideal match for your requirements. For instance, you should determine the air capacity of your home to make sure that the electronic air filter device you buy is large enough to take care of your needs. It is a lot less expensive to buy a bigger electronic air filter, instead of purchasing two smaller units.

Additionally you should look for an electronic air filter that will run quietly and not increase the noise in your home. Many consumers who purchase noisy equipment end up turning them off, which in turn renders the equipment worthless. This obviously is a waste of money and doesn’t improve the oxygen quality. Make certain you purchase a quiet electronic air filter device so that it will stay on.

You should also compare the service plans as well as warranties that accompany each model of available electronic air filters. Shopping around is fairly easy on the internet in the comfort of your home.  This way you’ll be equipped with all of the info you require, rather than base your decision on the information that a sales person provides.

Conclusion:

Electronic air cleaners are a simple and effective yet low maintenance method for cleaning the oxygen you breathe. The fact they remove as much as ninety five percent of problem contaminants from the oxygen inside your home helps make the purchase of an electronic air cleaner a shrewd investment.  It’s going to help provide your loved ones with an atmosphere that’s safe and wholesome for everyone!

Wnat to read more?  Click here:  Do Air Purifiers Work?

Resveratrol Extract

Resveratrol extract is one of natures most powerful antioxidants, credited with the ability to slow down the aging process, prevent the growth of cancer cells, promote weight loss, and improve overall health. Dubbed the fountain of youth, it has become perhaps the most publicized natural remedy for a wide array of health and age related conditions, from hypertension, arthritis and cancer to wrinkles.

When you decide to buy any vitamins, you have to be careful of the manufacturer that makes them. Many places can make a product, but they do it with the sole intention of making money. Their aim is not always to help people stay healthy. They just want their product to sell and they will do it by whatever means they can. You need to find a reputable manufacturer, which has a reputation of making the best product possible and is everything they say it is.

The grapes that have the highest resveratrol concentration are the dark red skinned and then the purple skinned. They have much more resveratrol in them than the green grapes.

It is a substance produced by plants when attacked by diseases. It functions in the body in almost exactly the same way as in plants. Technically speaking, it is polyphenolic compound, an antioxidant, which works by fighting and removing disease-causing free radicals from the body and repairing the damage they cause. Free radical activity is the main cause of the aging process, so halting their activity means slowing down the rate a person ages. In weight maintenance and reduction, resveratrol grape actually boosts fat loss by attacking deposits. It reduces the stickiness that forms clots in the bloodstream, and also helps tone the cardiovascular system by strengthening muscles. In cancer, some researchers are hailing resveratrol grape as the next breakthrough in treatment, as laboratory test conducted on mice show induced tumors shrank when the animals diets were supplemented.

Grape seed extract resveratrol is known to have many healing effects when taken as a supplement. Some of the benefits that have been associated with this product is lower cholesterol, better blood circulation and even slower tumor growth.

Many Resveratrol sources on the web are offering either a very weak product or one with a lot of added impurities. This makes it difficult for people to reap the health effects of this compound. Luckily, there is one website that sells the purest Resveratrol in a concentration guaranteed to give you the superior effects of this supplement. It is completely legal and completely without side effects. This supplement is called Wine-RX and gives the best chance of reaping the effects of red wine without having to actual ingest it. Although there are many resveratrol sources, this is one of few where you can be assured of the quality of the product you are buying. Check out the benefits of red wine and Resveratrol at http://winerx.org/.

Learn more about Tips For Using Resveratrol Grape Seed. Stop by our site where you can find out all about Resveratrol Anti Aging.

Home Device For Detecting Breast Abnormalities

A new hand held device for women to use at home as part of their regular monthly self examination can actually view the inside of their breasts to detect abnormalities and cancers. Developed in the UK, is now commercially available, and could prove invaluable for early detection and particularly useful for women with a family history of breast cancer.

A trial recently took place at the symptomatic breast clinic at Sunderland City Hospital which involved 300 women and was designed to assess whether a UK device, Breastlight, could accurately detect abnormalities and cancers. It works by shining a very bright but harmless red LED light through breast tissue where veins and other blood vessels show up as dark lines, often referred to as the ‘map’ of the breast. This is normal, but if a woman detects other dark spots or shadows, this is generally an indication that there is an abnormality. Of course there may be nothing to worry about such as a benign lesion like a bruise or blood filled cyst or it may require further investigation

The researchers found that it could detect malignancies as small as 7 mm and presented this data at the European Institute of Oncology’s 12th Milan Breast Cancer Conference. confirms that Breastlight, a device for women to use at home when carrying out their breast health awareness routine, detects malignant tumours, picking up lesions as small as 7mm.

The women in the trial had all been referred by their G P for a breast assessment and they were examined with Breastlight before their standard clinical assessment. The findings were then compared to those seen with mammography, ultrasound and biopsy. Breastlight was highly effective as it:

• detected 12 out of 18 malignant tumours which were then confirmed as positive using biopsy (giving a sensitivity of 67%)

• correctly identified as negative 240 out of 282 breasts (giving a specificity of 85%)

• detected malignant tumours as small as 7mm (it is generally accepted that malignancies below 1.8cm are non-palpable)

• detected a number of variants of cancers regardless of age or density of breast tissue or menopausal status of women1

The researchers were impressed with the sensitivity and specificity of the Breastlight device though of course it should not in any way replace mammography but that can provide an early warning as part of an early warning screening routine as it can reliably pick up abnormal lumps which can be further investigated to assess whether benign or malignant. It could also be extremely useful for women who have confirmed recurrent benign cysts and find it difficult to examine themselves.

In addition to trial in Sunderland, Breastlight usage has been evaluated at-home in a User Study involving over 1,200 women that reported it encouraged breast examination, at recommended frequency levels, and gave women confidence in their breast examination. 80% of women said they felt more confident when using Breastlight in addition to their existing routine and it increased the frequency of examination considerably.

It is not intended to replace but to augment regular self examination, backed up by regular mammograms. You should find it in major Boots stores, online at www.breastlight.com or at www.boots.com with a recommended price of 84.99 – not cheap, but as an early warning system for cancer it could prove priceless.

Why Cider Vinegar Should Be In Your Medicine/Kitchen Cabinet

If you only ever use vinegar on your chips, or open the balsamic bottle to make a salad dressing, then you are missing a trick. Diabetes, bad breath, constipation or weight loss are all on the list of conditions that have been helped by using this simple kitchen. As economy is the watchword for all of us at the moment it makes sense to go back to tried and trusted – and well established- folk remedies and this one goes as far back as Hippocrates, Father of Medicine, in ancient Greece. He was the first to discover and record that natural apple cider vinegar is a powerful cleansing and healing substance that can promote health, vigour and a longer life.

He used it to treat coughs and colds as well as a variety of illnesses as did the Babylonians, the Egyptians and the Chinese for its ability to eliminate germs and as a medicinal and cleaning agent. Students of the Bible will probably remember that it was used to flavour foods, and as medicine and, like tea tree oil, it has been much favoured by armies including that of Julius Caesar and soldiers in the American Civil War.

The very best kind to use is natural, organic, raw vinegar which is made from fresh, crushed apples which are then allowed to mature naturally in wooden barrels as wood seems to boost the natural fermentation. This type of organic, apple cider vinegar contains 30 important nutrients, 12 minerals (including potassium), over six vitamins, essential acids, and enzymes. As a folk remedy it has been used for insect bites, sunburn, digestion and bowel functions, headaches, arthritic pain, weight loss, urinary tract infections, itching and other skin conditions.

Certainly it has been extremely popular as a weight loss aid, being mentioned even in Georgette Heyer novels as remedy for obesity. If you want to try it, then dilute 2 spoons of apple cider and 1 spoon honey in a big glass of warm water and drink it after breakfast. That might seem odd, but skipping breakfast is never a good idea and an empty stomach is not best equipped to handle the acidity of the vinegar.

If you have been buying expensive, chemical, mouthwashes to combat bad breath then try adding 1/2 tablespoon vinegar to a cup of water and gargle the mixture in your mouth for 10 seconds at a time until the cup is empty.

For diabetics, cider vinegar is said to help control the rise in blood sugar levels that occur when you eat a meal. To counteract this, mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a pinch of salt in it and mix it in a glass of water and drink it before you have a meal.

Constipation is a regular feature in many people’s lives and the cause can often be found in our Western diet. Apple cider vinegar contains significant amounts of pectin, which is a water soluble fiber that helps to improve digestion by normalizing the acid levels in the stomach and so helps restore natural bowel movements. A simple remedy is add 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar to a glass of water, and drink three times a day. If you don’t like the taste, though I find this particular type of vinegar quite palatable, you can add it to Apple or grape juice and some additional sweetness.

Herpes Virus Trial Finds It Can Shrink Tumours by over 80%

Having the herpes simplex virus, or what we commonly refer to as a cold sore, could prove to be a lifesaver for patients with head and neck cancer according to a small clinical trial run by The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. Around 650,000 people are diagnosed with this particular form of cancer each year worldwide, and around 350,000 die from the disease every year.

The genetically modified virus has been treated so that it multiplies inside cancer cells but not healthy cells. It bursts and kills tumour cells and also helps stimulate patients’ immune systems. They injected the virus into 17 patients’ cancer-affected lymph nodes in up to four doses, and the patients were also given radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Head and neck tumours shrank on 14 patients (82.3%), while 93 per cent of patients had no trace of residual cancer in their lymph nodes during subsequent surgery to remove them. Also, after an average follow-up time of 29 months over 82% of patients had not succumbed to the disease. Only two of 13 patients given the virus treatment at a high dose relapsed, according to results published in the journal Clinical Cancer Research. These figures are certainly encouraging, but this was a very small trial but given that around 35 to 55 per cent of patients given the standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment typically relapse within two years, these results compare very favourably.

Side-effects were generally mild to moderate, and most – except fever and fatigue – were thought to be due to the chemotherapy or radiotherapy. I have mentioned before that many people find any homoeopathic remedy very helpful for the side-effects of treatment for cancer. If you do not have a dispensing homoeopathic in your area, then one I can recommend is the Galen Pharmacy who are extremely helpful on the telephone and make up and post remedies normally the same day. Their telephone number is 01305 263996 or, if you are in London, then you can call in to Ainsworth’s in new Cavendish Street or visit their website at www.Ainsworth’s.com

Yoga, The Way To A Better You

Everyday we encounter advertisements about fitness products to help us lose weight and tone our abs and body, but hearing about yoga, an exercise with all the benefits and much more- is rare.

Many think this is just a method to maintain flexibility, something bodybuilding wouldn’t do- the benefits of yoga are wide and go beyond just physical and physiological.

Known as the single biggest benefit of yoga is flexibility. If you’ve ever watched a yoga class, or even looked at some yoga clothing sites, you may be awed by the folding and twisting of yoga practitioners. Yoga can help increase the range of motion in your hamstrings, back shoulder and hips.

The poses that you do in yoga, which may be held in long periods of time, can help build muscle tone and strength. You will also have improved balance as you learn to achieve poses.

Increased flexibility and strength also help in prevention of some types of pain. Imagine how good it would feel when you stretch after a long drive. Back pains, shoulder pain and even carpal tunnel pain are some of the pains relieved by yoga, these are just some of the benefits yoga extends to your body.

Breathing is a very essential focus of yoga. Learning to breathe slower and deeper as you move through poses can benefit your entire body. Your better breathing technique may initially cause some light-headedness during yoga as your blood carries a better supply of oxygen, so be prepared. You will get used to it and is likely to happen the first couple of times. Reducing stress and pain managements is one of the advantages of controlled breathing.

Exercising can give both mental and physical which come from endorphins, concentration and calmness is where the benefits of yoga comes from. Yoga requires that you concentrate on breathing and positioning of your body, which helps calm your thoughts and gives you another tool for stress reduction. Yoga in the evening can help you prepare your mind and body for sleep due to it’s relaxing nature.

Enrolling in a class, buying a video or watching a show is just as easy as beginning to practice yoga. Getting yourself a yoga mat or if you have a carpeted area and some loose fitting clothes are also advisable. Whether in a class or alone, pay attention to your body. If a pose hurts, then use a modification or do not attempt it until you get stronger or more flexible. If you continue a yoga practice, you’ll find the poses become easier and you may well look forward to yoga as one of the best “you” times of the day.

About the author: Michelle Walton writes as a hobby and maintains websites for St Louis featuring Yoga St Louis.

Learn About Craniosacral Therapy

Most things that we do throughout the day affect the intricate nervous systems in the body.

Because by design the nerves and sensitive tissues that run throughout our systems are delicate, they are prone to both short and long-term damage, which can lead to bodily and balances.

Craniosacral Therapy is a special variety of make contact with treatment which is developed to directly stimulate the sensitive nervous tissues in the spinal cord, as well as the connective tissues that surround the mass of the human brain all without the require for any variety of invasive surgery.

Actually, Craniosacral Therapy is just as gentle as most other types of alternative medicine, and because it involves direct make contact with between the practitioner and also the patient applying their hands, it may give many from the exact same sensations that a typical massage will.

You’ll leave feeling a good deal much more relaxed than you did when you got there.

To fully obtain a grasp of how this sort of therapy works, it is important to understand how the major elements from the nervous system are connected to one another. Obviously, basic anatomy tells us that the spine is connected on the base with the brain. What several folks may not know is that the whole spinal column performs the “tree trunk” in the body’s connective nerve tissue is surrounded by a distinctive form of spinal fluid.

In very much the exact same way blood does, the spinal fluid flows and washes more than the several parts from the brain and upper spine. You’ll be able to think of it as having a pulse of its own, and Craniosacral Treatment is intended to utilize direct get in touch with with the patient’s back to stimulate the flow of this critical substance.

By holding the patient’s limbs in certain, diligently chosen positions while simultaneously running their hand gently up the length in the spinal column, fresh spinal fluid is allowed to more easily circulate, and come into contact with brain matter.

The most immediate effect that most people notice when they have a Craniosacral therapy procedure done to them can be a renewed feeling of alertness. Although it is impossible to really view it taking place, the fresh fluid washing over the brain causes it to wake up, and fools it into thinking that you have just sat up out of bed after a full night of rest.

Within the long-term, a recipient of this natural therapy treatment can expect to experience a loosening of tight joints related towards neck and back, which means that they could see several relief if they’ve been experiencing lots of pain with these areas inside past.

The philosophical aspects of Craniosacral therapy are based on the principles of motion. By encouraging the motion of vital fluids that act as lubricants, practitioners are able to promote an incredible level of flexibility and freedom of motion.

It’s a completely painless way of allowing yourself to feel years younger, and all that’s needed is always that you open your mind on the possibility that an “alternative” medical treatment still has the potential to help you with your issues.

Research, Statistics and Who Paid Who?

I felt I really had to return to a topic that I had hoped was a very dead and buried and that is the controversial question of whether research can any longer be trusted. You may have seen a report in the Independent newspaper which stated that more than 90 percent of researchers who have published studies favourable to the controversial diabetes drug Avandia had a financial stake in the issue.

My first question when I an sent studies — as I frequently am– is to find out two questions: first how many participants and second who has funded the research. This latest revelation comes from a study conducted by researchers from the Mayo Clinic, one of the few research organizations in the United States that does not accept corporate funding.

Sales of GlaxoSmithKline’s bestselling drug Avandia plunged in 2007, after evidence emerged linking the drug to an increased risk of heart attack and death. These reports sparked a debate over the drug’s safety that continues to this day. In an analysis of more than 200 studies, articles, editorials and letters published in scientific journals since 2007, Mayo Clinic researchers have concluded that financial conflict of interest continues to play a major role in that debate.

If someone is expressing a positive view of a product you are entitled to ask if they are gaining any benefit from it — and no, I do not receive any payment or benefits on any of the products I mention in healthy news other than accepting a sample for trial purposes so I can report back from practical experience and not just rely on other people’s evidence.

What has emerged is that 87 percent of all authors who expressed positive views about Avandia had financial ties to GlaxoSmithKline, while another 7 percent had ties to other pharmaceutical companies involved with diabetes. Not surprisingly, among authors with financial conflicts of interest, only 30 percent “expressed unfavorable views” of the drug and authors who were critical of Avandia were “largely free of identifiable conflicts of interest,” the researchers said.

Sadly, this does not mean that they were all squeaky clean either as of the 29 authors who recommended the drug Actos as a safer alternative to Avandia, 25 had ties to that drug’s maker, Eli Lilly.

I think we have to accept that there is a large amount of financial and self interest going on in medical research, and if that is disclosed I can live with it. What I find more disturbing is that this research uncovered that while 47 percent of all authors surveyed had a financial stake in the diabetes drug debate, 23 percent failed to disclose these links. Most of these authors merely remained silent about their conflicts of interest, while three actually lied and said they had none.

Could it be time for some legislation, as we allegedly have with our MPs, to declare a conflict of interest so the least we are warned and can make up our own minds as to their impartiality? I would like to think so, but don’t hold your breath.

Summer Weight Loss Needed or Help For A Healthy Prostate?

As this unprecedented summer weather continues, even I have been forced into shorts but warmer weather means that fewer layers provide less opportunity to disguise those extra pounds around the stomach and thighs.

CLA is a handy abbreviation for a not very snappy substance otherwise known as Conjugated Linolenic Acid. This is a fatty acid not produced by our bodies, but found in our food – in fact it is present in some of the very foods we should be avoiding when trying to lose weight; such as cream, and red meat, both of which are high in saturated fat.

CLA is so beneficial for effective weight loss because research has shown this fatty acid is extremely effective at helping our bodies maintain a healthy lean-to-fat ratio. What it does is to inhibit the enzyme that breaks down fat, which usually allows our body to absorb it, and then also increases the enzyme that breaks down stored fat; both of which result in a reduction in body fat.

Supplementing with CLA on a daily basis – and as part of a calorie controlled diet – helps reduce body fat, maintain a healthy lean-to-fat ratio, improve muscle tone, and maintain weight loss. Increasing evidence supports the extensive health benefits of Conjugated Linolenic Acid (CLA), including its ability to lower cholesterol levels, and maintain a healthy heart, and immune system. Specifically it can help those who are overweight, as it reduces hunger pangs, and increases feelings of fullness’ which can help to control appetite.

As an added benefit for non–dieters, research also proves that CLA also plays a role in preventing certain cancers, and for men, helps maintain a healthy prostate.

No supplement on its own will help you lose weight, but if you combine it with a good diet and exercise it can certainly support and speed up the process. to reach for that delicious, but fattening, ice cream. A good source is Lifeplan’s CLA which is derived from safflower oils, which are very similar to sunflower oils, as the 500mg capsules contain no refined sugar, salt, starch, lactose, gluten, or yeast. They also use CLA Tonalin®, the highest quality and leading brand of CLA available, which is supported by extensive research and clinical studies.

You should find it in independent health food stores, and if not then you can get it online at www.lifeplan.co.uk.

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