Ginger Tea

Ginger tea is one of my favorite drinks on a cold day, or any other day. Not only is it cheap and easy to make, it also tastes great! 

Ginger tea improves blood circulation, which helps to keep the body warm. It is a great home remedy for many illnesses. Here are some of my favorite ginger tea recipes. Read More...

How to Raise Good Cholesterol Levels

There are two types of cholesterol levels known as high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). HDL is the good cholesterol, and the LDL is bad cholesterol. It is the bad that usually needs to be lowered, and the good that needs to be raised.

When raising the good cholesterol, the bad cholesterol is automatically lowered. This is because the good cholesterol comes along and rounds up the bad cholesterol, and helps to eliminate it from the body.

Raising the good cholesterol can be done naturally by making small dietary and lifestyle changes.

Avoid Saturated and Trans Fats

Saturated and trans-fats are the culprits that caused your bad cholesterol levels to skyrocket in the first place. Therefore, by reducing them, or avoiding them altogether, you will naturally be able lower the bad cholesterol, and thereby raise the good cholesterol.

Saturated fats are found particularly in red meat, pork and poultry, dairy and dairy products, eggs, and many processed foods. Trans-fats are often found in many processed foods. Always read the labels to ensure that the foods you buy do not contain those fats, or at least in very low amounts.

Increase Monounsaturated Fats

Monounsaturated fats are healthy fats that the body needs in order to function properly. These are the omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, and they can be found naturally in foods such as avocados, coconuts, sunflower seeds, walnuts and flax seeds.

Add More Fiber

Adding more fiber to the diet will also help to raise the good cholesterol. Fiber is found in plant-based foods such as apples, pears, peaches, plums, broccoli, carrots, celery, and nuts and seeds. Basically anything that grows from the ground is high in fiber.

Exercise

Exercise has been shown to help raise the good cholesterol levels. It helps the body to break into a sweat, which naturally helps to eliminate toxins and fat cells from the body. In addition, engaging in regular exercise and eating a healthy diet helps to maintain a healthy weight, which is also essential in raising the good cholesterol.

Reduce Stress

Studies show that reducing stress can also have an impact on the cholesterol levels. Getting plenty of rest, learning to meditate and eating lots of leafy greens can help to eliminate or reduce stress.

Avoid Stimulants

Coffee, alcohol and cigarettes are stimulants that can interfere with the cholesterol levels, and avoiding or at least reducing them will help to raise the good cholesterol levels.

Exercise Tips for Fibromyalgia

Those who suffer from fibromyalgia may not feel like exercising, mainly because they are fatigued and in so much pain. But engaging in moderate exercises suitable for each individual, can help to alleviate the pain and other symptoms of fibromyalgia. Here are some tips for those just starting out.

Starting at Own Level

It is very important that each individual starts at their own level in order to prevent further injury.

Fibromyalgia affects everyone differently, and the symptoms may vary from patient to patient. For some the pain will be widespread over the body, and for others the pain will be in a specific location. Read More...

Differences Between Sea Salt and Table Salt

In reality there is not much of a difference between sea salt and table salt, as both of them are primarily made up of sodium and chloride. However, there are some small differences between the two salts that have caused many health conscious individuals to switch to unrefined sea salt.

The two main ingredients in both sea salt and table salt are sodium and chloride, and they are essential for human health when consumed in moderation. Table salt contains as much as 99.9% sodium and chloride, while sea salt can contain up to 98% or less.

Thus the real differences between the two salts are found in the remainder of the ingredients. Table salt contains harmful ingredients such as aluminum based anti-clumping agents, as well as forms of sugars to neutralize the bitterness of the aluminum. Read More...

Why Caffeine Withdrawal Causes Headaches

Caffeine is a popular stimulant that helps people to get up and going in the morning. It helps them to wake up and feel alert, and it increases concentration and productivity. Caffeine however, is very addictive and a withdrawal from it often causes headaches, including severe migraines. The headaches usually occur within 12 to 24 hours from the time the last dose of caffeine was taken, and can last anywhere from three to nine days, depending on how bad the individual is hooked on the caffeine.

According to a study done at the John Hopkins School of Medicine, the headaches occur as a result of changes in the brain’s electrical activity and changes in the blood flow to the brain. Caffeine constricts blood vessels, and thus stopping caffeine increases the blood flow, which is said to be a factor in causing the headaches. Read More...

How To Prevent High Cholesterol

One of the best ways to prevent high cholesterol is to eliminate or at least reduce the intake of unhealthy fats such as saturated and trans-fats. Saturated fats are found in red meat, high-fat dairy and eggs, and trans-fats are often found in processed foods.

When not dealt with, high cholesterol levels can lead to high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, stroke and many other diseases of the cardiovascular system. Read More...

Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian Cancer begins in one or both of the ovaries located on the sides of the uterus. Each side of the uterus has one ovary, and both are only about the size of an almond. The ovaries are responsible for producing eggs and releasing them into the fallopian tubes.

They also produce two female hormones known as estrogen and progesterone. The cancer may be caused by the high amounts of hormones which are produced before and during ovulation.
Tumors which form in the ovaries can be benign (non-cancerous), or malignant (cancerous). The benign cells do not spread, but remain in the ovaries, whereas the malignant cells will spread. Read More...