One Big Health Nut

We are in the midst of cold and flu season. And though it is helpful to learn remedies that help alleviate symptoms and expedite your recovery, it is even better if you can avoid becoming ill all together. In order to accomplish that you will have to build up your immune system. And nutrition supplies the means to do just that.

If you build up your immune system, you just might avoid the inconvenience of illness. The strength of your immune system depends largely on the fuel you provide. So what will boost your immune system?

Vitamin C is essential to proper immune functioning. Vitamin C increases the production of the white blood cells and antibodies necessary for fighting off infections. Vitamin C is also responsible for fighting chronic conditions that can affect your overall general health. Conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease will lower your body’s ability to fight off other illnesses. Eat plenty of fruits and foods supplemented with vitamin C.
 Strawberries
 Oranges
 Cantaloupe
 Grapefruit
 Kiwi

 Carotene is a common carotenoid. Like vitamin C, this nutrient also helps prevent chronic conditions that can lead to a deterioration in health. The stronger your body, the more efficient the immune system will be. Carotenoids are found in fruits and vegetables.
 Carrots,
 Sweet potatoes
 Squash
 Spinach
 Tomatoes
 Grapefruit
 Milk

 Bioflavenoids are responsible for protecting the cells of the immune system from environmental toxins. The toxins will invade the cells and weaken the immune system. The bioflavenoids prevent this from occurring by eliminating open space in the cell.

 Vitamin E incites the body to produce the cells that destroy germs and cancers. These cells include the killer cells and B-cells. Vitamin E can also prevent or reverse the weakening of the immune system inevitable with age.

 Zinc will increase the infection fighting cells known as T-cells.
 Oysters
 Crab
 Beans
 Beef
 Cereal w/ zinc

 Garlic will also increase white cells and the killer cells in the body. Both are responsible for fighting infections. Garlic will also multiply the efficiency of the antibodies. So add garlic to your meats and enjoy the immune boosting properties.

 Selenium will increase, once again, the natural killer cells and the cancer fighting cells in the body.
 Tuna, shrimp, red snapper, lobster
 Whole grains
 Garlic
 Brazil nuts
 Chicken
 Cottage cheese

Make sure you eat from these foods every day. The more immune boosting nutrition you flood your body with, the less likely you will become ill. And if you are unlucky enough to catch a cold, your immune system will have the ability to fight it off much faster.

Psoriasis is an uncomfortable skin condition that afflicts over 7 million Americans.  There are five types of Psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, erthrodermic, and pustular.  The most common form is plaque psoriasis.  Psoriasis generally appears as a red patch on the skin with a scaly, silvery/white compilation of dead skin cells.  It may also appear as red spots, white blisters inside a reddened area of skin, or severe redness over a large area of the body.  Psoriasis can appear on any part of the body.   

Psoriasis triggers the onset of unpleasant symptoms.  People suffering from psoriasis will experience extremely dry, itchy skin.  The skin can become sore.  Sometimes a burning sensation will occur if the psoriasis is aggravated.  Psoriasis also causes inflammation of the joints.  The inflammation results in a condition know as psoriatic arthritis.     

Individuals that have psoriasis may find that winter can be a difficult time.  The colder temperatures and dry air tend to exacerbate the psoriasis symptoms on the affected areas of the body.  In addition to the weather conditions, the decreased exposure to sunlight worsens the condition.  So what can you do to alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms

There are treatments available to individuals with psoriasis.  Psoriasis results most commonly in dry, itchy/flaky skin.  So to alleviate the symptoms it is important to keep the afflicted areas moist.  This can be done by using moisturizers or moist towels.  Baby oil is another option that doesn’t seem to burn or dry out the skin.  It doesn’t contain any alcohol.  Over the counter anti-itch creams can offer some relief.  Creams with antihistamines are best.  Cold packs may also help.  And sometimes a trip to the tanning salon will offer relief.  If your symptoms are severe, your can check with your doctor.      

Smoking is a hard habit to break.  This is not hot news.  But for the many people that want to quit smoking it is a frustrating fact.  The drug contained in cigarettes, nicotine, is highly addicting.   It has been compared to heroin and cocaine addiction.  Why is nicotine so addicting? 

The nicotine absorbs into your blood stream and is circulated throughout most parts of your body.  Nicotine generates a pleasurable sensation for the smoker.  The body becomes adjusted to the nicotine.  As time goes on, the body requires additional amounts of nicotine to reproduce the feelings.  The individual will feel the need to increase the number of cigarettes to satisfy the body’s craving. 

The body experiences many withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to quit smoking.  The symptoms of withdrawal can be intense.  Symptoms include irritability, anxiety, sleeplessness, restlessness, depression, headaches, and an increase in appetite.  The effects of withdrawal lead many people back to smoking. 

Earlier this year, toys were recalled by the truckload due to lead poisoning concerns.  Parents were warned to inspect their children’s toys to ensure the child did not posses one of the tainted playthings.  Now one of the toys dubbed as a ‘must have’ this Christmas season is being pulled from the shelves.  Aqua Dots has been reported to pose a poison hazard to children.  

 Aqua dots are little liquid filled beads that can be used to create various art projects.  Children would place the dots together to construct any desired form.  The child could fashion them into cars, or mermaids, or superheroes.  Then the creation is sprayed with water.  The water would bond the project together, forming a permanent figure.   

It wasn’t until several children were hospitalized that experts discovered the combination of the chemicals present on the beads mixed with water would produce the ‘date rape’ drug GHB if the child swallowed them.  The ingestion of the product could result in a possible overdose.  A child suffering an overdose could have seizures or fall into a coma.  It is also possible the consequence could be death.  

When you have a cold, people are full of advice on how to overcome the symptoms. Instructions include drinking plenty of fluids, get plenty of rest, eat chicken soup, and avoid the cold. Amongst all of the helpful recommendations you may also be advised to try the nutrient Zinc. Zinc is credited with the ability to shorten the life of your cold. Some studies have found that it can actually cut the time by almost half. But there are some things you should keep in mind when considering using Zinc as a cold remedy.

• Zinc must be taken within 24 hours of the onset of your cold to be effective. You must respond quickly to the initial onset of symptoms. Otherwise the Zinc will be ineffectual.

• Zinc has not been found to prevent a cold from occurring. Taking Zinc as a preventive measure is futile.

• Zinc has been found to lower your good (HDL) cholesterol levels.

• Zinc may also suppress the functioning of the immune system.

• Some individuals that have taken Zinc reported feeling nauseous.

• Studies still haven’t determined if there is the possibility that too much Zinc could cause adverse medical effects.

Basically, studies have shown there is a positive link between taking Zinc within the first 24 hours of the onset of a cold and the duration of the cold. Zinc lozenges taken every two hours can produce results. If you do not catch the cold within this window, it may not be advisable to try the treatment. And try to limit the duration of time you utilize Zinc as a cold remedy since researchers have not come to a conclusive determination on the possible adverse effects.