All those who have experienced heartburn and acid reflux know that it is a condition that just refuses to go away. And while physicians treat minor cases of acid reflux symptomatically by prescribing antacids the more severe cases are treated with PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitors) drugs.

PPI medicines are used in the treatment of acid reflux or GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease) to ensure that the production of stomach acids is reduced. When the amount of stomach acid produced is lowered in quantity, the probability of the stomach juices rising up and flowing backward into the esophagus also reduce.

While PPI’s have been used effectively for many years in the treatment protocol for acid reflux, recent research shows that there are various side effects that are associated with these Proton Pump Inhibitors drugs.

One of the main PPI side effects that are being talked about includes the reduced capability of absorbing calcium. This results in weaker bones and a higher possibility of contracting hip fractures and broken bones.

Additionally, the change in the pH levels of the digestive system results in hampered absorption of iron and vitamin B12. This increases the chances of getting diarrhea and pneumonia.

The number of people who suffer from acid reflux is increasing each day; and with that the number of PPI drugs being prescribed is also on the rise. While antacids and other treatment options like surgery are also recommended at times, the PPI drugs are the most favored mode of treatment among physicians.

While conventional medicine denies the knowledge of the root cause of an acid reflux condition, the fact is that there are certain aspects that make acid reflux more probable than others.

High levels of intake of processed foods that are low in nutrition and a diet regime that is far from perfect along with a sedentary lifestyle are factors that contribute to the increasing number of acid reflux patients.

Keeping in mind the debilitating side effects of PPI drugs, physicians should be urged to take a holistic approach toward the condition and suggest probiotic foods and lifestyle changes to their patients. They should also explain the manner in which patients can alter a few aspects of their lives to live an acid-reflux-free life.

To learn more about the various ways in which you can naturally treat your acid reflux condition without facing any side effects, check out some options in the acid reflux guide.

High blood pressure is often called the silent killer because the symptoms of high blood pressure are not easily detectable even though the condition has the capability of affecting a large number of organs in the body.

It is extremely important to keep high blood pressure under control. Problems associated with the heart and the kidney, are the main issues that one may have to face due to high blood pressure.

Current treatment options are considered to be aggressive for the elderly and the latest research indicates that a less aggressive approach can help in reducing the mortality rate among this group. As of now hypertension patients above the age of 80 receive similar treatment as others, which may actually do more harm than good.

The recently updated Cochrane review shows that trying to achieve a target blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg may be ‘excessively aggressive’. The review looked at a couple of clinical trials that were conducted among hypertension patients above the age of 80. The approach that reduced mortality rates significantly was the one that was more conservative with a lower number of drugs and dosage.

The side effects and complications associated with any kind of conventional treatment are well known. The national heart, Lung and Blood Institution reported that blood pressure drugs increase the risk of cancer.

Moreover, a large number of deaths are caused by calcium channel blockers. This is why, it is essential that the elderly try and use a moderate approach and make use of a holistic and natural approach to achieve better control over blood pressure.

Removal of toxins from the system, implementing a hypertension-friendly diet, cutting out smoking and alcohol as well as exercising regularly are some of the key aspects that need to be adopted to ensure better high blood pressure management.

Everyone knows that limiting salt intake is the first step toward controlling high blood pressure. Added to this you can also research some herbal medications that can help in lowering blood pressure without any side effects.

Hypertension is a lifestyle disease and it is said that once you have the problem of high blood pressure you will need to be on medication all your life. It is therefore better to monitor your blood pressure levels on a regular basis and ensure that you are not falling prey to the silent killer.

Start living a better lifestyle to prevent high blood pressure in the first place. For useful tips, check out our all natural Hypertension No More Program.

The quality and quantity of the diet that we consume has borne the brunt of many physicians and experts because it is considered to be one of the main aspects that lead to high cholesterol. High cholesterol can lead to the clogging of arteries, which when neglected may result in various heart diseases.

What many people do not know is that the majority of the cholesterol that is found in the body is synthesized by our own bodies. However, it is also important to note that the cholesterol that is created in the body is a by-product of a synthesis of what we eat.

So, while you may take as many conventional drugs as you want and increase the side effects that you face and manage, it is mandatory to eat smart so that you are able to abate the production of cholesterol in the body.

Some foods that are known to be beneficial for patients who suffer from high cholesterol have been detailed by naturopaths to help in reducing this cholesterol epidemic that seems to have become a menace.

1.  Pecans are considered to be one of the best foods for cholesterol. In a recent study conducted in New Mexico, it was observed that consuming about ¾ cups of sugarless pecans without corn syrup helped reduce LDL cholesterol (commonly known as bad cholesterol) by 10 percent. This was achieved while maintaining all other aspects of the diet as before.

2.  Ginger, a standard ingredient in oriental cuisine, is known to have great properties. Among them is the capability of ginger to help in reducing LDL cholesterol.

However, ginger should not be consumed as ginger cookies. Ginger can be grated and the juice can be extracted and added to tea or meal preparations.

3.  Cassava is a high source of carbohydrates and also contains calcium, fiber, iron, manganese, potassium and vitamin B6. The high levels of dietary fiber help in controlling cholesterol.

 A recent study conducted in Philippines shows that cassava was instrumental in reducing total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. The food also helped in decreasing the level of triglycerides in the body.

Other foods that have been labeled as being good for reducing cholesterol levels in the body are high fiber foods like barley, oatmeal, wheatgrass, garlic and apples.

We’ll be launching another great all natural health program designed to help lower cholesterol in the near future so stay tuned.

Acid reflux is a condition that plagues many and is known to be a lifestyle condition caused due to irresponsible consumption of food. It is a condition in which the stomach juices move in the opposite direction from the stomach into the esophagus.

Since the esophagus lining is not used to acidic juices, inflammation in the esophagus is something that is bound to occur. The typical acid reflux cure includes consumption of antacids that neutralize the effect of acids.

However, the fact is that heartburn is just one symptom of the problem and addressing the symptom does not cure the basic problem that causes acid reflux. Unattended, over time acid reflux can cause various other medical conditions like esophageal cancer and more.

A study conducted in Sweden by Dr. Lars Lundell in Karolinska University Hospital included 255 patients. In the attempt to understand whether medication is a better cure or surgery, 122 of these patients had undergone surgery to control acid reflux or GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease) and the remaining 133 had been on the drug omeprazole (Prilosec).

Despite the fact that the researchers are in touch with a large proportion of these initial patients, they have been unable to establish whether surgery is the perfect cure or whether medication is the best option. About 53% of those who underwent surgery had a lower intensity of acid reflux.

On the other hand, while there was a reduction in the intensity of the acid reflux condition among those who took medication; about 45% of the patients went through dose adjustments throughout the study period that has now lasted 12 years.

Despite the fact that surgery was considered to be more effective, there were post operative issues that needed to be addressed and tackled. In reality, the situation does bring to the front that conventional medication and surgery do not really seem to have the right answer to the recurring acid reflux problem.

The perfect cure for this condition lies in lifestyle modification, diet adjustments and herbal remedies that can cure the problem by addressing the root cause of the issue.

Some of the lifestyle modifications that you may need to make include eating a light meal at night, avoiding a night cap and nicotine, sleeping in an angular position, ensuring that the last meal of the day is consumed a few hours before bedtime, exercising everyday and keeping a diary to understand the foods that cause acid reflux.

In addition to that there are various herbs and supplements that you can use to alleviate symptoms as well. Learn more about how you can heal your acid reflux condition naturally and ensure a perfect solution here.

Many people may tell you that dementia is irreversible and that once it sets in, the symptoms only become worse. However, there are people who believe otherwise and know that dementia can be reversed by making some modifications in diet and lifestyle.

Diet plays an important part in managing dementia symptoms. However, the diet that a dementia patient should have is not something that you can pick on your own. Consulting a counselor who can direct you to the right dietician is usually a good option.

Gas appliances are known to worsen the dementia symptoms and expedite the condition. The patient’s family should be willing to replace gas appliances. Also, all fossil fuel heating systems should be evicted from the house.

Some supplements are known to be good for dementia. One such supplement is lecithin. It is known to cleanse the arteries and veins as well as clear the mind. DMAE and Acetyl-L-carnitine supplements are also known to increase the level of acetylcholine, which is a transmitter.

Some other natural substances and herbs that are known to help in treating and managing dementia are gingko biloba, grape seed and CQ10. Some recent studies have shown that turmeric, olive leaf and olive oil are beneficial for the mind.

In addition to the changes in diet, there are other aspects that you will need to modify. For instance, you need to stop using aluminum utensils and also avoid using aluminum foil at all times. There are food products like salt and baking powder that may contain aluminum; make sure that you purchase products that are free from aluminum.

Nigella sativa seeds offer a natural solution to control dementia symptoms. Heat nigella sativa seeds in a tablespoon of vinegar and cool it. Apply the solution on the stomach and liver of the patient. Leave this overnight; don’t remove it. This remedy can prove to be quite helpful if done over time.

Avoidance of packaged food is essential and getting a fair share of the sun can also help in getting the daily dose of vitamin D, which is good for the memory.

While it is easy for the caregiver to assume that the memory of an elderly person will not come back, those who believe, try their best to get some moments of recognition together. With memory exercises and aids, you can really achieve a lot. Get more details about this in the all natural dementia guide.

The quality and quantity of the diet that we consume has borne the brunt of many physicians and experts because it is considered to be one of the main aspects that lead to high cholesterol.

High cholesterol can lead to the clogging of arteries, which when neglected may result in various heart diseases.

What many people do not know is that the majority of the cholesterol that is found in the body is synthesized by our own bodies. However, it is also important to note that the cholesterol that is created in the body is a by-product of a synthesis of what we eat.

So, while you may take as many conventional drugs as you want and increase the side effects that you face and manage, it is mandatory to eat smart so that you are able to abate the production of cholesterol in the body.

Some foods that are known to be beneficial for patients who suffer from high cholesterol have been detailed by naturopaths to help in reducing this cholesterol epidemic that seems to have become a menace.

1.Pecans are considered to be one of the best foods for cholesterol. In a recent study conducted in New Mexico, it was observed that consuming about ¾ cups of sugarless pecans without corn syrup helped reduce LDL cholesterol (commonly known as bad cholesterol) by 10 percent. This was achieved while maintaining all other aspects of the diet as before.

2.Ginger, a standard ingredient in oriental cuisine, is known to have great properties. Among them is the capability of ginger to help in reducing LDL cholesterol.

However, ginger should not be consumed as ginger cookies. Ginger can be grated and the juice can be extracted and added to tea or meal preparations.

3.Cassava is a high source of carbohydrates and also contains calcium, fiber, iron, manganese, potassium and vitamin B6. The high levels of dietary fiber help in controlling cholesterol.

A recent study conducted in Philippines shows that cassava was instrumental in reducing total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. The food also helped in decreasing the level of triglycerides in the body.

Other foods that have been labeled as being good for reducing cholesterol levels in the body are high fiber foods like barley, oatmeal, wheatgrass, garlic and apples. Know more about how these foods can help you effectively fight cholesterol by reading more about them in our upcoming cholesterol guide.

Blood pressure medications often cause unpleasant side effects like dizziness, cramps, and aches. Unbelievably, some hypertension medications can actually cause heart attack and stroke. Those are some pretty serious side effects!

But there are many natural ways to lower blood pressure. For example, last year a study published in the medical journal Hypertension reported that two cups of beet juice a day can reduce blood pressure by 10 points with no side effects. Well, okay, drinking beet juice might give a slight pink color to your stool or urine, but that’s hardly a worrisome side effect, especially compared to heart attack or stroke.

“Our research suggests that drinking beetroot juice, or consuming other nitrate-rich vegetables, might be a simple way to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system, and might also be an additional approach that one could take in the modern day battle against rising blood pressure,” said lead author of the study, Professor Amrita Ahluwalia of the William Harvey Research Institute at Barts and The London School of Medicine.

Beets are full of phytochemicals that help lower blood pressure, prevent cancer, and facilitate digestion. Hypertension drugs won’t do that for you. And the best thing about beets: they only cost a few bucks, and you can get them without a prescription.

Suzy Cohen, author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist, says, “Beets even look like hearts, if you think about it. They lower blood pressure by increasing levels of nitric oxide in your blood vessels. The anti-platelet action of beets reduces risk for blood clots. Beets can dissolve inorganic calcium deposits that clog up your pipeline. Beets can lower total cholesterol and triglycerides by 30 percent and 40 percent, respectively, while increasing those good HDLs. Has your statin done that for you?”

Beets are also rich in folic acid and other antioxidants that reduce inflammation and improve heart disease. The red color of beets comes from betacyanin, a phytochemical that is a powerful cancer fighter. Another medical study showed that beet fiber helps to eliminate toxins from the body. Yet another study showed that beets increase the number of CD8 cells (cancer-fighting cells) in the colon.

The easiest way to eat a lot of beets is to invest in a juicer. Select bright organic beets for juicing and mix them with apple juice and/or other vegetables. Note that beets are high in oxalic acid and should be avoided by those with kidney stones, gout, or osteoporosis. Do not mix broccoli or other vegetables high in calcium with beet juice, as oxalic acid and calcium do not digest well when combined.

If you have high blood pressure, try to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables to get the benefit of phytochemicals and fiber. Avoid processed foods and high-fat foods.

Regular exercise is another key to reducing blood pressure naturally. The exercise does not have to be strenuous – just regular. Natural health researcher Christian Goodman has developed a simple set of easy exercises that can naturally lower blood pressure in just minutes a day.

CNN reports that Kenny Sparks was a “handsome man with a big smile.” Sparks was the co-owner of a multimillion-dollar business with a wife and two kids in college. He was well-known and well-liked. Then he started to change at age 49.

“He was stumbling over words,” said his wife Cheryl. “And he would forget what he was saying – but at almost 50, I think we all tend to do that.”

His family thought that Sparks had Alzheimer’s disease at first. He was eventually diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and his personality began to change.

“He just wasn’t Kenny,” said his wife.

“He’d tell stupid jokes all the time,” said his son Graham. “And on [a family trip], he wasn’t telling jokes. He was sitting there with a blank stare on his face.”

His daughter Alexandra noticed the change, too: “He exercised all the time. He would swim constantly and he ate well. And all of a sudden he was downing gallons of ice cream. Gallons!”

Cheryl finally took her husband to the doctor’s office, where cognitive tests showed that “he couldn’t draw a clock and put the numbers or hands on it,” she said.

The doctors told Cheryl that FTD would rob Kenny Sparks of his personality, his ability to communicate, and eventually his life. FTD refers to a group of neurodegenerative disorders that cause damage to the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain. These areas of the brain control reasoning, communication, social awareness, and memory. FTD changes the personality and leaves patients in a state of utter confusion and helplessness.

Dr. Murray Grossman of the University of Pennsylvania explains, “Many patients will lose their inhibitions. They’ll act totally inappropriately, leaving their families to wonder what is wrong. Some patients will have no problem spending the family fortune, taking all their money and putting it into scams, get-rich-quick schemes, or going off and buying an expensive car or boat the family doesn’t need. The patients lose their reasoning. What’s particularly frustrating for family members is, the patients don’t seem to have much insight into the difficulties they are having or causing for others.”

Frontotemporal dementia affects approximately 250,000 Americans. Experts aren’t sure what causes this form of dementia, and it’s often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease.

Kenny Sparks was diagnosed with FTD four years ago. Now he can no longer drive a car. His wife had to quit her job to take care of him.

“His need to be with me is constant, because he feels safe,” she said. “He can’t read a clock, so he’ll get up at 3 a.m. and that’s when we start our day . . . Now he’s more like a child, most times.”

What’s the hardest part of dealing with the dementia?

“There is no one hardest part,” Cheryl said. “Well, for me, knowing that the man I thought I was going to grow old with – I’m not, I guess. Yes, that’s the hardest part.”

The prospect of losing your personality to dementia is frightening. Fortunately, you can take action to prevent dementia. Natural health researcher Christian Goodman has developed a simple set of exercises that prevent dementia naturally by increasing blood flow to the brain, in just minutes a day. Click the link to learn more.

Most people know that high sodium contributes to high blood pressure (hypertension), but did you know that low potassium can also contribute to high blood pressure? Potassium blunts the effects of sodium and helps the body to normalize blood pressure.

“When it comes to lowering blood pressure, potassium packs a powerful punch,” writes Frank K. Wood in Natural Cures and Gentle Medicines That Work Better Than Dangerous Drugs or Risky Surgery. “Scientists began studying the effects of potassium on high blood pressure as early as 1928. Now a major study of 300 nurses shows that potassium can lower your blood pressure even if it’s in the normal range. Good sources of potassium are dried apricots, avocados, dried figs, acorn squash, baked potatoes, kidney beans, cantaloupe, citrus fruits, and bananas. You can also buy potassium supplements. If you’re taking a diuretic, your body is getting rid of potassium along with fluid.”

“Since potassium is necessary to the healthy functioning of nerves, cells, and membranes, it is an important electrolyte to monitor,” explains Dr. Stephen T. Sinatra, MD, in A Cardiologist‘s Prescription for Optimum Health. “Low potassium is a major cause of cardiac arrhythmia; diuretics for the treatment of high blood pressure or congestive heart failure may interfere with potassium absorption and excretion. Although potassium supplementation is usually not necessary, individuals on diuretics or laxatives or who have excessive diarrhea may require extra potassium.”

In the New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and Herbs, Nicola Reavley also points out the important role of potassium in controlling high blood pressure: “Many population studies have found links between low potassium intakes and an increased risk of high blood pressure and death from stroke. Increasing the amount of potassium-rich foods in the diet can lead to a reduction in high blood pressure. The ratio of sodium to potassium in the diet appears to play an important role in the development of high blood pressure. The typical Western diet is low in potassium relative to sodium.”

The best way to get more potassium in your diet is to eat more potassium-rich foods such as apples, apricots, bananas, broccoli, carrots, lima beans, oranges, potatoes, prunes, spinach, squash, and watermelon.

Notice a pattern here? Foods high in potassium tend to be wholesome fruits and vegetables. While eating more fruits and vegetables, you should avoid processed foods which are typically high in sodium. Even a “healthy” can of soup can have outrageous amounts of sodium. Be sure to read food labels.

If you’re trying to lower your blood pressure, you should also cut down on dietary fat and cholesterol and increase your fiber intake. By eating less processed food and more fruits and vegetables, you can naturally lower your blood pressure.

Of course, regular exercise is also important for individuals with high blood pressure. Luckily, you don’t have to join a gym to get the benefits of regular exercise. You can start a simple exercise program in your home to lower blood pressure naturally. Try these easy high blood pressure exercises to reduce your high blood pressure naturally.

A new study from researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine shows that popular acid reflux medications triple the risk of developing pneumonia for critically ill patients.

Pneumonia acquired in the hospital is the leading cause of infection-related death among critically ill patients. Pneumonia increases the average  length of the hospital stays by seven to nine days. It also increases the cost of care and risk of other complications.

Senior researcher David L. Bowton, MD, head of the Section on Critical Care in the Department of Anesthesiology, said, “As best we can tell, patients who develop hospital-acquired pneumonia or ventilator-acquired pneumonia have about a 20 to 30 percent change of dying from that pneumonia. It’s a significant event.”

The Wake Forest study was published in a recent issue of the journal Chest. It compared acid reflux treatment of two drugs: ranitidine (Zantac TM) and pantoprazole (Prilosec TM). Both of these drugs decrease stomach acid. Prilosec has become the acid reflux drug of choice in many hospitals because it is more powerful than Zantac. However, an analysis of 834 patients showed that hospitalized cardiothoracic surgery patients treated with Prilosec were three times more likely to develop pneumonia.

“We conducted this study, in part, because we thought we were seeing more pneumonias than we were used to having,” said co-author Marc G. Reichert, pharmacy coordinator for surgery at the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

By reducing acid in the stomach, acid reflux drugs can make the stomach more hospitable to bacteria. Chronically ill patients who are on breathing machines are especially vulnerable to pneumonia when stomach acid refluxes into the lungs. That’s why their heads should be elevated to reduce the risk of stomach acid getting into the lungs. Doctors have historically given acid reflux drugs to these patients, but now that should consider whether an acid reducer might do more harm than good. Bowton said that ranitidine (Zantac) should be used in cases where an acid reflux drug is needed.

“Stopping the drugs earlier appears to be the best thing for patients,” said Reichert.

Acid reflux drugs carry risks for all individuals, not just the chronically ill. Prilosec, for example, which is commonly prescribed for heartburn, commonly causes headache and diarrhea. OTC Prilosec is available, but that does not mean it’s safe simply because you can get it without a prescription. Drugs are toxic substance which disturb the homeostasis within the body. Illness results from a disruption of this delicate balance. In fact, some acid reflux drugs can actually contribute to the problem of acid reflux with long-term use.

Natural solutions for acid reflux should be considered. These natural health solutions focus on lifestyle factors such as dietary choices and stress reduction to restore natural homeostasis. By focusing on diet, stress reduction, and other lifestyle choices, one former acid sufferer was able to completely heal his acid reflux. His symptoms were permanently cured without the use of potentially harmful medications. See Cure Acid Reflux Naturally (coming soon) to learn more about dietary choices and other lifestyle factors that can naturally cure heartburn and acid reflux.