Are You Running Into Wrinkles?

We’re (obviously) huge fans of exercise and the myriad benefits that accompany it, such as weight loss, better health and an improved immune system, and stronger bones. However, we’re not such huge fans of the loose, saggy skin that some people claim can result from different forms of long-term exercise, such as running. Since we’re not ready to hang up our running shoes quite yet, we want to look more into this phenomenon of the saggy “runner’s face” and find out if there’s anything that can be done to prevent it.

Many factors affect your skin’s  elasticity, including genetics and lifestyle habits, so it’s not just runners who suffer from sagging skin, but some medical experts say that it’s common in long-time runners, especially those who spend a lot of time outdoors.

Any high-impact exercise, like running, causes a jolt to the skin, which can tear up the collagen in the skin. It doesn’t happen over night, but it is one of the downsides to running.

Although it takes a long time for your skin to break down, there’s not a lot you can do to repair it once your facial muscles start to sag. Mini-face lifts and fat transfers can help to improve your skin texture a bit,  but there’s nothing that can restore the original elasticity.

Take heart, runners! While nothing can reverse the process once it starts, there are things you can do to prevent your facial skin muscles from sagging in the first place. If you’re trying to lose weight, maintain a slow, steady weight loss of about 1 to 2 lbs per week; this will give your skin time to adjust to the fat loss and minimize the amount of sagging you see. Remember to wear a broad spectrum suncreen when you’re outside. A healthy diet will also help—fresh fruits and vegetables are packed with carotenoids (think lycopene in tomatoes, alpha-carotene in carrots, and beta-carotene in spinach), that promote cell turnover and strengthen your skin cells.

Bottom line? If you love running, don’t give it up. As long as you lead a healthy and active lifestyle, the benefits to running outweigh the potential side effect of sagging skin. ~ Shape Magazine

Pickle Juice – The New #1 Sports Drink

Currently professional, college and high school football teams and college and  high school cross country track teams will soon be beginning their hot summer practices.  They will also begin their need to drink pickle juice as a way to help stave off  muscle cramps. Runners and bikers, especially those in the very warm southern  climates also know full well the benefits that pickle juice provides. Pickle  juice can definitely help to prevent muscle cramping.

Pickle juice contains salt, calcium chloride and vinegar. The basic ingredients  are similar to what you would find in isotonic drinks. Where pickle juice has  acetic acid, isotonic drinks contain citric acid, like the sports drink  featuring the name gator and power in it.

Sometimes you may sneak a sip of juice from the pickle jar. That’s OK. That  seemingly worthless liquid, which often gets tossed into the trash when the  pickles are gone, could be the key to athletic endurance and avoiding  debilitating leg cramps?

The use of pickle juice as a defense against muscle cramps first attracted  headlines when the Philadelphia Eagles credited pickle juice with their  cramp-free win over the Dallas Cowboys in the over-one-hundred-degrees Texas  heat. Rick Burkholder, the Eagles’ head trainer, called it his “secret weapon.”  Pickle companies (such as Mt. Olive Pickle, Vlasic Foods and Golden Pickle)  claim that pickle juice is similar to an isotonic beverage and can prevent  muscle cramps caused from strenuous exercise.

Golden Pickle has even created a sports drink, appropriately named “Pickle  Juice Sport.” Golden Pickle claims that Pickle Juice Sport has “approximately 30  times more electrolytes than Powerade and 15 times more than Gatorade.” It is  even endorsed by Dallas Cowboy Jason Witten.

So how does this work? Muscle cramps are caused by dehydration from  exercising in hot weather and not drinking enough fluids. How could pickle juice  help? When you sweat during exercise, you lose a lot of salt and minerals. These  minerals and salt are also known as electrolytes. This loss of electrolytes can  cause muscle cramping, especially in hot, humid weather. Cells in the body use  electrolytes in the cell fluid to maintain voltages across their cell membranes  and to carry electrical impulses to other cells. In the case of my bike ride, I  had to be able to use my muscles in both a pulling and contracting motion, or  muscle contractions. Pickle juice has a very high salt, or electrolyte content.  Therefore, drinking pickle juice before and during exercise could possibly  provide your body with enough salt, that your muscles will not cramp.

Confused? Don’t be. Anything liquid containing any or all of the four  commonly considered electrolytes, sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium will  work to help to prevent muscle cramping. Obviously, the more the better. Give it  a try on a daily basis and see for yourself. Don’t worry about how people look  at you when you tip that empty pickleless laden jar of liquid up to your  lips.

Research Study to Support this OMG Moment:

http://healthpsych.psy.vanderbilt.edu/pickleJuice.htm

~Although there is an abundance of anecdotal evidence supporting the use of pickle juice as a method of preventing dehydration and muscle cramps, the is little scientific evidence supporting or refuting these ideas. Dale, et al. examined the effectiveness of pickle juice as a preventative measure for exercise-associated muscle cramps compared to Gatorade. This study compared the pickle juice from Vlasic Pickles to the carbohydrate sports beverage Gatorade. The two beverage samples were analyzed in a food-composition laboratory to determine the amount of salt, potassium, calcium and magnesium in each product. Pickle juice was found to have considerably more salt than the carbohydrate beverage. Dale et. al. concluded that pickle juice can be used as a remedy for muscle cramps. However, the study warns of the danger of ingesting large amounts of salt and suggests that athletes should dilute the pickle juice with a sufficient quantity of a hypotonic or isotonic solution. Two ounces is the suggested serving size of pickle juice.

http://sweatscience.com/pickle-juice-stops-muscle-cramps/

~ Researchers suggest that the pickle juice acts on neural reflexes — a plausible suggestion, given that earlier experiments have found that vinegar can provoke reflexes and affect neurotransmitter levels. This fits with an alternate theory that cramps have nothing to do with dehydration or electrolyte loss, first proposed in the 1990s by Martin Schwellnus of the University of Cape Town:

“Schwellnus et al. proposed that [cramps] were due to neuromuscular fatigue. Neuromuscular fatigue is thought to create an imbalance between muscle spindle and Golgi tendon organ activity, resulting in increased alpha motor neuron excitability. Thus, if [cramps] are caused by an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory stimuli at the alpha motor neuron pool, pickle juice ingestion may cause an increase in inhibition from supraspinal sources, thereby resulting in cramp alleviation.”

The New You – 5 Detox Herbs

Immune support can be achieved  from consuming herbs on a moderate basis. Read on to see how this blog promotes the health benefits of these five natural immunity boosters. For the most optimal results, the best places to purchase these herbs would be at a natural food store or your local farmers market.

Artichoke leaf

• Stimulates production of bile, the liver’s main carrier of expelled toxins
• Helps strengthen liver cell membranes so they can resist toxin absorption

Dandelion root

• Increases bile flow from the liver
• Helps flush the kidneys

Green tea

• Protects the liver from toxin damage, especially that caused by alcohol, due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties

Milk thistle seed

• Strengthens liver cell membranes
• Stimulates bile production
• Promotes glutathione production

Turmeric root

• Quells inflammation
• Elevates detox enzymes in the liver

**Calendula flower is also great for cleansing. Check out our new Nutralenda®  items we are offering now on our site – www.omgalternmed.com

No More Ice Tea = Preventing Kidney Stones

If iced tea is your go- to  thirst- quencher, you may be putting yourself at an increased risk for kidney stones, says researchers at Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine. The culprit it oxalate, a chemical found in the tea that is key to the formation of the small salt and mineral crystals, which affects about 10% of the population. Although hot tea has the same amount of oxalate as iced tea, the chilled form is often consumed in larger quantities; plus, it’s popular in warm weather, when you’re more likely to be dehydrated, a condition conductive to the formation of kidney stones. If you’re an avid ice tea drinker, try to limit yourself to one glass every few days, and be sure to drink plenty of water to help flush away the salt and mineral deposits. Also, sip some fresh lemonade or water with lemon wedges: research has shown that the citrates in lemons actually inhibit the growth of kidney stones.

Source: Loyola University

Advil vs Acupressure for Headache Relief

IF YOU’RE TIRED OF POPPING pills to ease headache, acupressure offers a natural and medication free way to get rid of pain fast. You may have already heard of the technique of squeezing the meaty part of your hand between your thumb and forefinger; this is one of the most commonly used acupressure points. Simply pinch that tender area on either hand between your opposite thumb and forefinger and press for about two-minute, or until your headache subsides. This trick stimulates the pressure point called Large Intestine-4, nd typically brings relief for traditional headaches.

If you’re suffering from a sinus headache, you’ll use a different pressure point for hands on pain relief. To target this spot called Urinary Bladder-2 firmly press the inner corners of your eyebrows with thumb and forefinger. You can rest your elbow on a desk or counter and lean into your hand to make this position easier to hold. The pressure needn’t be intense, but you should feel a bit of an ache. After a couple of moments, your sinus pressure should start to lift. For best results, repeat either treatment about once an hour., holding for two to five minutes at a time. To boost the OMG status of this treatment more try out Head Strong Massage Oil at www.omgalternmed.com  which is formulated with beet extract and lemongrass to promote lymphatic drainage as well as relieve nervous tension.

Source: Venus Elyse, acupuncturist and founder of Integrative Healing in Fairfax, California

Scientific Food Studies for OMG Health

We hear all the time of foods helping us better our health and building our immune system but having a scientific study to prove this is correct makes it even better. Here are a couple of studies done on various foods that will boost you health to an OMG status of 100% Enjoy the holiday with a smile and a winter wellness attitude.

~41% is how much your risk for a stoke is lowered if you regularly use olive oil in cooking and dressings as compared with people who never use olive oil according to a new study published in  Neurology.

~Coconut oil’s lauic acid may ward off illness by boosting your immune system. Preliminary research suggest it could cut your cholesterol levels. Chrissy Barth, R.D., a dietitian in Scottsdale, Ariz.

~Freeze dried foods aren’t just for astronauts anymore-they’re a healthy way to increase your fruit consumption. Unlike traditional drying methods which can involve exposure to nutrients and antioxidant damaging heat, freeze drying involves getting produce at peak ripeness and then removing its moisture and oxygen in a low-temperature vacuum chamber. The end result: light and crispy morsels of goodness with nutrients intact.  Research by Matthew Kadely M. Sc., RD

~New research from the Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle found a link between diet and Alzheimer’s disease risk. For four weeks, elderly test subjects dined on high saturated fat and high glycemic index foods or low saturated fat and low glycemic index foods. Eating the former foods increased levels of a protein often found in brains afflicted by Alzheimer’s but the latter were linked to lower levels of the protein, plus reduced brain inflammation and better problem solving abilities.

~Good news for nut lovers: Research published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that pistachios have 5.9% fewer calories than previously thought. Studies also indicate that people who eat in-shell pistachios consume 41% fewer calories than those who buy them shelled.

~A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D may help decrease your risk of developing premenstrual syndrome research shows. Women who drank the equivalent of about four servings of low-fat milk per day decreased their PMS symptoms by up to 46%. Fortified orange juice and yogurt were also shown to decrease risks.

Holiday Health OMG Style

‘Tis the season to be jolly but between the stress, colds, aches and pains that is kind of hard to do. Here are a couple of holiday foods and ideas that can help you tackle those seasonal OMG Moments.

~Cloves: Has one of the highest antioxidant rankings of any spice and can be used in cider as well as winter fruit salads

~Thyme: Full of antioxidants that alleviate respiratory ailments like bronchitis and keep you breathing easy even when you’re not sick. It can be used in roasted poultry, meats and seafood.

~Anise: Use this to help with stomach issues-its relaxes the gastrointestinal muscles and can be used in poached fruit and pastries.

~Hazelnuts:The skin of the nut, filberts, is full of proanthocyanidins, compounds that may help strengthen blood vessel, reduce heart disease risk, and boost brain health.

~Pecans: They boast an ORAC score (a measure of antioxidant capacity) higher than even wild blueberries. Plus regular servings may help delay age related cognitive decline.

~ Clear Your Chest:Combine 3 to 4 drops of pine or eucalyptus essential oil with a few drops of lavender in olive oil. Rub it on your chest, then apply hot and cold packs for relief. Once inhaled they stimulate blood flow through the lungs.

~Soothe Throat: Use zinc cough drops every two hours. The lozenges will coat the irritated throat tissue, dulling pain, while the mineral migrates into your system, potentially reducing the lifespan of the cold.

~Hot Cordial for Cold Relief: concentrated fruit juice warmed up can relieve colds symptoms. Try this apple and black currant cordial either hot or at room temperature. Stir 2tsp black currant syrup into 1 cup hot apple juice.

~ Health Booster: Elderberry is high in anthocynanins and antioxidants, which increase cellular absorption of vitamin C. Vitamin C, in turn, protects the mucosalsurfaces of your nose and mouth so viruses have more difficult time penetrating them.

A Natural Approach to Autumn Arthritis

As the autumn weather fast approaches, a lot of people will assert that they can feel the twinge in their joints. Whatever your age, a small ache now could become arthritis – or worse – down the road, so start taking care of your joints today. You don’t have to be one of the more than 40 million Americans who suffer from arthritis and joint pain. Take these tips to protect your joints well into the future.

Caring Curry
Curry, a staple spice combo in Southeast Asian cuisine, contains turmeric, the yellow spice that gives curry its distinctive color. The active component in turmeric is called curcumin. If you are a fan of curry, you will be happy to know that this substance is associated with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and has been associated with relief for joint pain. In one randomized control study, 107 patients with knee osteoarthritis received either 800 mg per day ibuprofen or 2 grams per day Curcuma domestica extract. Both groups showed improvement in pain during level walking and climbing stairs.

Helpful Herbal Therapy
The traditional Chinese remedy for back and joint pain is the herb eucommia, which strengthens bones, tendons and ligaments. A western study confirmed that both the leaves and the bark of eucommia contain a compound that encourages the development of collagen, an important part of connective tissues such as skin, tendons and ligaments.   

Exciting Exercises
One of the best ways to protect your joints is regular exercise. Exercise circulates blood flow to your joints, stimulating the body’s regeneration mechanisms. Regular exercise also strengthens the muscles surrounding your joints, preventing them from rubbing against one another and wearing down cartilage. One more bonus: Exercise also helps you maintain your ideal body weight. The more you weigh, the more stress you are putting on your joints, especially your hips, back, knees and feet – so that is a major consideration.

Gentle on the joints, tai chi and qigong exercises improve overall flexibility and strengthen the joints. In my clinic, I teach a simple 30-minute daily practice called Eight Treasures qigong, which has been passed down through my family. It has been clinically shown to strengthen bones and joints and prevent arthritis. Best of all, it is far less stressful and strenuous than other types of physical exercise, and particularly emphasizes stretching and the strengthening of joints, tendons and muscles. Most licensed practitioners of Chinese medicine are able to teach some form of qigong and tai chi exercises, or you can learn from an instructional DVD.

Posture Perfect
You don’t have to walk around with a book on your head, but if you value your joints, do make an effort to stand up straight. Good posture protects the joints in your neck, back, hips and knees. Over time, gravity will make sure that slump shows up as joint problems.
Once you’re used to standing and sitting up straight, your muscles will feel an overall ease in stress because they won’t be in constant use to maintain an unsupported off-center body form. To get proper posture, pull your chin inward and pretend there is a string pulling straight up from the top of your head.

Source: Mao Shing Ni, L.Ac., D.O.M., PhD

Breast Cancer Awareness For Our Four Legged Friends

While breast cancer awareness month for people has just kicked off this month, it’s important to realize that we humans aren’t the only ones affected by the disease.  Here are some great facts about breast cancer in dogs and cats.

BREAST CANCER IN PETS FACT SHEET

Many people don’t realize that pets can also suffer from breast cancer. Mammary gland tumors are common in dogs and cats, especially those that aren’t spayed or were spayed late in age.

Mammary exams for pets are important and early detection is key. Once your dog or cat is five years old, perform a mammary exam monthly. Gently feel the tissue under and around each nipple, “rolling” the tissue between your fingers. If you feel even a tiny lump, bring your pet to the veterinarian.

Dogs are particularly prone to breast cancers. Their bodies are not designed to cycle continuously without nursing pups. With every heat cycle their bodies go through a sixty day hormonal pregnancy regardless of whether they breed or not. This hormonal cycle continuously stimulates the mammary tissue for at least four months of each year. The constant stimulation leads to very high rates of cancer. Fortunately, 99% of  canine breast cancer can be prevented by spaying young dogs.

Dogs:
• 25% (1 in 4) of un-spayed female dogs will get mammary cancer
• Most common in older female dogs
• Less than 50 percent of canine mammary tumors are malignant
• Spaying a dog before their first heat will reduce the chance of breast cancer to almost zero.
• Most “at-risk” breeds: poodle, Brittany spaniel, English setter, pointer, fox terrier, cocker spaniel, Boston terrier
• Diagnosis: affected area will be red, swollen, feverish, and painful to the touch
• Early detection/prompt treatment can successfully treat even serious tumors. Look for small, firm pea-sized lumps in the breast tissue.
• Surgical removal is the first treatment method and chemo is sometimes a secondary treatment, depending on the severity of the tumor

While breast cancer is less common in cats, it does occur. Like in dogs, the risk is also drastically reduced when cats are spayed. Just like in people, reproduction and nursing reduces the risk of breast cancer in intact dogs and cats.

Cats:
• Less common in cats than dogs, 1/4000 will have mammary cancer
• Early spaying is the best prevention and also if a cat has had kittens they’re less likely to get it
• Around 90 percent of feline mammary tumors are malignant
• Siamese cats and cats over the age of 10 are the most prone to mammary cancer
• Diagnosis: affected area will be painful to the touch, swollen, infected, and the cat may have a fever
• Surgical removal of the tumor and aggressive chemo is the recommended treatment, however mammary cancer is usually fatal in cats

Great strides have been made in the treatment of cancer in pets. Many pets can be cured completely. All pets should see their veterinarian twice a year for a thorough physical examination and any new lump should be checked as soon as it is noticed. A simple needle aspirate can frequently differentiate between harmless masses and those that should be removed. Just like in people, cancers that are detected and removed early have the best chance of being cured.

Raising money for cancer research has the potential to benefit both pets and people. Many types of cancers occur in multiple species. Frequently, promising treatments and medications are used to treat cancer in animals long before they get formal approval for use in people. Treatment of pets in a clinical setting allows veterinary oncologists to report adjustments that improve outcomes or quality of life. The adjusted protocols can be used by human oncologists to benefit people with cancer.

So throughout all the marathons this month make sure you’re marching for all survivors and patients whether they have two legs or one. Happy Breast Awareness Month!

~ Special Thanks to PurinaCare & ClevengersCorner.com

 

Chamomile Constituents for Digestive OMG Moments

Chamomile is another home remedy that is particularly effective in treating an upset stomach — as well as several other conditions.  OMG! A German study found that chamomile, when combined with apple pectin, helps put a quick end to diarrhea in children. Compared to placebo (dummy pill), the chamomile-pectin combination was significantly more effective and just as safe.

Chamomile’s medicinal secret is the volatile oil derived from its daisy-like flowers. An extract produced from the herb can reduce muscle spasms and inflammation of mucous membranes, making it a useful treatment for indigestion and menstrual cramps. Chamomile also contains chemicals that fight infections that cause minor illnesses.

Constituents are the Answer! Several studies indicate that chamomile is a good digestive aid. The herb contains a wide variety of active constituents. The anti-inflammatory constituents of cham­o­mile, including azulene, chamazulene, bisabolol, and matricin, appear to have distinct modes of action. Some of them are more powerful than others but perform for a shorter period of time; others are milder but perform for longer periods of time. 

Bisabolol, one of its prime constituents, has anti-inflammatory properties and relaxes the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract. In experimentally induced gastritis and other inflammations of the mucous membranes, chamomile consistently demonstrated quick and prolonged anti-inflammatory effects. What we’re learning now is that apparently all of chamomile’s constituents must work together for the herb to function medicinally. Thus, chamomile would seem to be one of the plant kingdom’s best examples of holistic medicine at work.

For years, researchers attributed the herb’s antispasmodic effect to the presence of flavonoids, such as apigenin and luteolin. But several recent trials have demonstrated that other constituents also contribute substantially to the herb’s total sedative action. The importance of chamazulene and its precursor, matricin, has been demonstrated in nearly all of chamomile’s actions.  

   
Ulcer Suppression? Chamomile may also help to prevent and heal ulcers. In one study, two groups of animals were fed a chemical known to cause ulcers. Animals that were also given chamomile developed significantly fewer ulcers than those who did not receive it. And animals that did develop ulcers recovered more quickly if they were fed chamomile.

In 1979, experiments verified chamomile’s protective healing effects on the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. In the first experimental studies, chamomile inhibited formation of ulcers produced under several conditions, including stress and administration of drugs, such as alcohol.

Although the ultimate role of hydrochloric acid in naturally occurring ulcers is a subject of dispute, it has been shown that chamomile is able to inhibit formation of ulcers that are experimentally induced by that acid.

Chamomile is definitely a great way to get over those weekend binges and eating out so keep a good Chamomile tea on hand just in case. Also below is great example of how a simple massage can help with digestion as well.

 ~ Special Thanks to WebMD