Tag: Brain Function

Herbal Remedies for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Are you suffering from unexplained exhaustion that lasts for more than six months and accompanied by several other symptoms such as sore throat, muscle and joint aches, lack of energy, short-term memory loss and severe headache? There’s a high chance you are afflicted with chronic fatigue syndrome. Doctors have yet to discover the exact cause of chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS, but it is widely believed that a number of factors help trigger this debilitating disorder. Immune deficiency is on top of this list.

The symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome are also classic symptoms of viral infections such as flu. And just as viral infections have no known cure yet, there is also no known cure for CFS. However, there are many ways to treat the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and help alleviate the discomfort and illnesses that the patient suffers from.

Since chronic fatigue syndrome is most likely caused by viral infections, it is thus important to keep the immune system strong. Herbal remedies are becoming more popular as more people discover the wondrous effects of natural herbs in promoting health and fighting different types of viruses. For combating chronic fatigue syndrome, the following herbal treatments are recommended.

Ginkgo Biloba This herb is known to improve circulation and brain function. Taking ginkgo biloba can help with memory and cognitive impairments that is one of the symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Korean Ginseng Long used in the orient to boost energy (and sometimes as an aphrodisiac), Ginseng also strengthens the immune system and fight viral infections. It also helps alleviate the harmful effects of stress. Just use with caution, though, because this herb is quite powerful. If you have high blood pressure or heart disease, do not use ginseng. Consult an herbalist first if you are sensitive to the effects of caffeine and similar stimulants.

Echinacea This powerful herb prevents pathogens such as bacteria and viruses from entering the body and causing several disorders. It basically protects the cells from infections. Recommended dosage is to take about fifteen to twenty drops in liquid form for thrice daily for two days. This is approximately 300 325 mg taken thrice daily.

Astragalus – One of the most effective herbs to strengthen the immune system, astragalus encourages the production of white blood cells that help fight off and get rid of pathogens that have entered the body. Astragalus is effective in treating flu and head colds but should not be administered if the individual is also suffering from a fever. Recommened dosage of Astragalus is 150-250 mg taken three to four times daily.

Licorice root This herb is known primarily for its efficacy in relieving cough and as an expectorant. But licorice is also effective in purging out toxins from the body. Licorice root also supports the endocrine system. However, it is not advisable to take this herb for more than seven days in a row. If you have high blood pressure, do not take licorice root. If you plan on using licorice for extended periods, make sure you also increase your intake of foods rich in potassium.

Like all other medications, it is important to use proper dosage when using these herbal remedies to achieve the best effects. It is also best to consult a doctor and a herbalist to help you identify which herbs works best and how much dosage you should take.

Updates On The Benefits Of Fish Oil

Many scientists believe that the discovery of fish oil as brain food 150,000 years ago became is the starting point that separates modern humans from the ragtag band of earlier species. The discovery was actually an accident since fat or oil from fish was a common diet of many early people in the East African Rift Valley.

Fish oil is a brain food that caused their thinking skills to expand with incredible speed, allowing them tremendous advantage over every other species on the planet. Within a short time, they were able to dominate the earth. For these believers fat or oil form fish is most likely the candidate for the brain food that initiated their mental development. Fish oil by then was a rare type of fat that would have been in short supply on the plains of Africa but was found in great abundance in the lakes of the East African Rift Valley.

They believe that fish oil is the crucial dietary factor that enabled early generations to evolve into modern humans about 150,000 years ago. For them it is the missing link that will allows us to age with our mental capabilities completely free from many disorders. Dementia and depression are one of these disorders, both a mental health problems.

Dementia is a loss of brain function and usually occurs with other diseases. The causes of dementia are mostly not preventable. There are studies that say that dementia can be controlled by practicing healthy habits like quitting smoking, controlling high blood pressure and diabetes. Dementia has many types and one of them is the vascular dementia, a type that is caused by series of small strokes or changes in the brains blood supply. A notable healthy habit that can help reduce vascular dementia is by taking a low-fat diet and exercising regularly.

Depression on the other hand, is a psychoneurotic or psychotic disorder with symptoms like severe sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and sleeping time, feelings of hopelessness, and sometimes can lead to a suicide. A recent study revealed that higher blood levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are associated with a lower risk of these two diseases among elderly persons. EPA is found in certain fish and are believed by some to lower the risk of dementia and Alzheimers disease.

New medical research also revealed that almost every chronic disease is affected by an imbalance of eicosanoids. It is by constantly controlling insulin levels that a person can gain control of eicosanoids which is the key to prevent diseases and maintain wellness. Eicosanoids affect our body as a whole including the heart, mind and even emotions. Excess in insulin leads to a wide range of disease conditions.

There is also a need for a person to regulate calorie without hunger or deprivation. It is believe that by doing so, aging is reversed. And lastly for a person to gain balance in her well-being, a person most supplement her diet with tolerable amount of fish oil.

Hormones are the key to longevity and optimal health and you have the power to control your hormones through your diet. Once you achieve this, you can have the power to reverse the aging process, prevent heart disease, reverse cancer, reduce pain and inflammation and treat neurological disease.

And since controlling your hormones is the key to a longer and better life, fish oil is the missing link that allows you to achieve it with no side effects.

Looking Ageless-Make The Most Of It

A new acquaintance asks, “How old are you?” You have your reasons for not wanting to answer them, but the fact is that it’s a very difficult question to answer accurately. The reason is that there are three types of age: chronological age, biological age, and psychological age. Looking ageless is about taking charge of the ages that you have control over. We will go into more detail on each age, and then give you suggestions for making the most it.

Chronological age – This is simply a function of the day you were born. If you were born 50 years ago, then your chronological age is 50, and there’s not much you can do about that. When people ask you how old you are, they usually want to know your chronological age, however, there is much more to age than dates on a calendar. That being said, your chronological age serves as a useful point of comparison for the other types of age.

Biological age – While the calendar gives you one idea of age, your body will have its own idea about how old you are. Things such as your brain function, cardiovascular system, strength, endurance , and balance fall under this category. Genetics do come into play, but there are plenty of other factors that you can do something about.

Psychological age – You could be 30 and feel like you’re 60, or vice-versa. “You’re only as old as you feel” sums up this age quite nicely. How you feel will be reflected in how you look, so don’t underestimate the power of positive thinking.

Now that you have a better understanding of the full meaning of “age” you can start doing the right things for looking ageless. We will start with your biological age, and then move on to your psychological age.

Taking care of your health is the biggest secret to keeping your biological age lower than your chronological age. Eating the right foods and getting plenty of exercise are a good start. Do your best to eat foods that are close to their natural source, and focus on eating whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meat, low-fat dairy, fish, and healthy fats. Be sure to get the full range of nutrients and enough fiber.

When it comes to exercise and looking ageless, the key is to vary your routine. Cardiovascular exercise should be done most days of the week, and is any form of exercise that gets your heart rate up (walking, jogging, bicycling, boxing, and so on). Resistance training, such as weight lifting, helps keep your muscles strong. Balance and flexibility exercises should also be done on a regular basis as they help your overall fitness level and quality of life.

Your psychological age is all about having the right attitude. The more happy and positive you are, the younger you will look and feel. Embrace life and all that it has to offer. Don’t forget about prayer and meditation because they also have a positive effect on how you feel.