The Significance of Intestinal Bacteria

By Richard Bell

Intestinal Bacteria, commonly called Gut Flora are organisms that live in our intestines and keep us healthy by performing numerous significant tasks. On an average a human is known to have about thirty trillion microorganisms in their stomach, with more than five hundred types. They are as responsible for performing work as any of our main organs, but are never mentioned as something we need in order to stay healthy.

Our feces are about sixty percent bacteria, which is why doctors ask for a sample when we have an intestinal problem. This is the most non-invasive manner in which tests could be done to find the reason of the upset stomach.

When babies are born they have no bacteria in their system, however their body quickly picks up bacteria from the mother and surrounding environment, and within a few months their body builds up the healthy bacteria. Babies born by cesarean deliveries are likely to take a longer period of time to build up these bacteria as compared to babies born normally.

The bacteria in our stomach perform various different roles such as fermenting, maintaining a healthy resistance level, fighting the harmful bacteria, creating vitamins, and helping us store fat. Firstly they break down carbohydrates; as a result our body can absorb the nutrients from it. With no bacteria in our intestines, we would not have been able to break down a lot of food that we eat, and therefore would need to eat more to remain healthy.

These bacteria also stop the dangerous bacteria to grow in our digestive tract. Due to the struggle in the tract between different types of bacteria for room, the bad bacteria are unable to grow up because the helpful bacteria do not allow them to have any space. Humans with no any intestinal bacteria could to get sick more often when compared to those with normal levels.

These bacteria are also helpful in building up our immune system so we dont fall sick. Due to a tolerance for healthy bacteria that we develop in our childhood, the immune system is proficient to battle the bad bacteria, therefore leaving behind only the good bacteria. These bacteria are also helpful in preventing from all sorts of allergies and inflammatory bowel disease.

However, nowadays the use of antibiotics and other drugs is increasingly upsetting our digestive system, as the medicines are not able to differentiate between the several forms of bacteria in our body and wipe out the bad bacteria and the good. This is the main cause of diarrhoea and other sicknesses of the bowel. Although we may not be consuming antibiotics intentionally, a lot of the dairy and meat we consume nowadays is said to have the antibiotics, which are given to the animals to prevent them from several diseases. The use of Probiotics is now popular to help the good bacteria thrive in the gut, as probiotics are helpful for the bacteria to perform their functions by helping fight harmful bacteria and improving the resistance level of the body

It is important to know that not all bacteria are bad for us, and that our body has many millions of bacteria in it that are actually helping it stay healthy.

About the Author:

Richard is an alternative health professional and has many years experience in natural health remedies. He is an advocate of intestinal health as a foundation for overall health. Probiotics such as fivelac have been made to maximise the amount of healthy bacteria in your gut. Healthy intestines a knock on effect on your overall health.

Amazing Health Benefits - Ninxgia Red Wolfberry

By Deborah Lindholm

The wolfberry has caused a stir in the world of health foods. Also known as the goji berry, the red wolfberry is grown principally in the Ningxia region of China. It has been hailed as one of the new superfruits and seems set to take its place as one of the most remarkable of newly discovered health foods.

There are two species of wolfberry, Lycium barbarum and L. chinense. Found in Tibet and Mongolia but commercially produced on a large scale in China, the red goji berry has been used in Chinese medicine for millennia. It has been cultivated in the West for several centuries as an exotic plant and was popular in Victorian gardens.

One of the beneficial properties of the goji berry or wolfberry is that, like other superfruits, it is a rich source of antioxidants, in the form of phenols. It is far richer in these elements than other antioxidant-rich fruits, such as prunes. Antioxidants are thought to protect against cancer and slow the ageing process.

Wolfberries are also high in vitamin C, with some measurements of dry goji berries putting vitamin C content as high at almost 150 mg per 100g, way ahead of fruits like oranges. However, lower levels have been measured in dried wolfberries. The berries are also rich in beta carotene, essential for healthy vision, and riboflavin (vitamin B2). They are packed with minerals, including zinc, selenium, calcium, potassium and iron.

Plant sterols, amino and fatty acids, polysaccharides and the carotenoid known as zeaxanthin have also been identified in the goji berry. The health benefits of these and other ingredients of the fruit are still being investigated, although some sellers have claimed them as a cure-all that even prevents breast cancer. This is not yet borne out by research, as food and drug authorities have warned. Buyers should be aware that the health benefits of the wolfberry are still being studied.

Legend has it that a Chinese man who ate goji berries daily lived to the age of 250. In Chinese medicine the fruits (and sometimes the bark) are believed to improve the skin, aid male fertility and vigor, boost liver and kidney function and enhance vision. Some substances found in the red wolfberry have been investigated by western medicine, with evidence that they may assist in a wide range of conditions, from hepatitis B to cervical cancer. Goji berries may have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, lower cholesterol and modulate blood pressure.

Ongoing research may confirm wolfberries as a wonder food. Consumers should be aware that juices labeled as wolfberry or goji juice are often juice blends, and that the quality of the fruit varies, depending on growing conditions, region of origin, and processing methods, amongst other factors.

About the Author:

Ready to experience the power of Ningxia Red? NingXia Red has the highest levels of naturally occurring, age-defying S-ORAC activity to help support immune function, cardiovascular health, and nourish the eyes Visit Deborah and Michael Lindholm, Young Living Independent Distributors to get started today.

Supplements For Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis

By Amy Clark

Presently, Osteoarthritis or OA is one of the most prevalent conditions affecting individuals across the globe. Osteoarthritis is especially predominant among old people, and also among people who have excessive pressure on the joints, or back, knee, neck, and various joint injuries.

Another form of arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis (a.k.a. RA), is fairly rare, only affecting roughly 1% of patients worldwide. Nonetheless, we may have all encountered rheumatoid arthritis in one form or another.

Luckily, a range of nutritional supplements are now available to help arthritis sufferers alleviate the painful and debilitating symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Below are certain nutritional supplements that have been proven successful in arthritis treatment:

Omega-3 fatty acids: These acids primarily act as anti-inflammatories that will suppress RA progression. Omega-3 fatty acids can also treat the symptoms of osteoarthritis, and sometimes lessen the need for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

EPA/DHA: Scientific research has revealed that 1400mg of EPA daily along with 1,000 milligrams of DHA daily can effectively treat both rheumatic arthritis and osteoarthritis. The Super Omega-3 EPA/DHA is an especially powerful supplement, as it incorporates such ingredients as Sesame Lignans and Olive Fruit Extract.

Curcumin: This is an anti-inflammatory based on Tumeric that suppresses certain harmful enzymes, hence alleviating the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. On the other hand, several forms of Curcumin lack sufficient amounts of Piperine, a component of black pepper. Consequently, those who use Curcumin rarely obtain the appropriate level they need for an effective treatment.

S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe): This pertains to the active form of an amino acid called methionine. As it appears in an activated form, SAMe is naturally changed to cysteine in your body. Consequently, it is full of anti-oxidants that help fight OA and RA, as well as suppress harmful enzymes in the cartilage.

Chondroitin: Chondroitin sulphate, which makes up the articular cartilage, plays an important role in the formation of cartilage. As a supplement, Chondroitin has been established to be effective in restoring mobility and pain relief, ultimately treating OA. Additionally, Chondroitin also averts further joint damage caused by erosive OA.

Glucosamine: This is a naturally occurring substance that is essential in cartilage development. In osteoarthritis patients, the synthesis of glucosamine is defective, thus impeding cartilage growth. Because of this, using a Glucosamine supplement will improve joint cartilage growth. Moreover, Also, this supplement effectively treats rheumatoid arthritis because it functions against inflammation and further protects the joints.

MSM (methyl sulfonylurea methane): The MSM molecule is present in some tissues of your body. It has a type of sulphur that functions as structural molecules. It is for this reason that MSM works well in treating osteoarthritis.

Green Tea Compounds: Green tea has been proven to be reliable in blocking some cytokines, thus fighting the progression of both RA and OA. Green tea also works to treat inflammation.

Vitamin C: Abundant with valuable anti-oxidants, Vitamin C combats oxidative stress and eliminates destructive radicals. Subsequently, it relieves rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis symptoms. Since we do not produce Vitamin C naturally, it is essential that you consume it from other sources.

Vitamin E: This vitamin is also an important anti-oxidant that is not only essential in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis treatment, but also in improving your health and wellbeing.

About the Author:

To grab your copy of the Free Arthritis Relief Guide, and to read more articles related to Arthritis Natural Supplements, please visit this website on arthritis.

Snake Venom For Arthritis

By Amy Clark

Dr. Nafthali Primor, of Shulov Institute for Sciences, Ltd. was the first doctor to propose snake venom as a powerful natural treatment for arthritis pain.

Dr. Nafthali Primor and his research team have discovered some powerful substances in the venom of diverse species of cobras, vipers, and rattle snakes. These can be effective as analgesics for debilitating pain due to several diseases, including cancer and particularly arthritis which usually sets off debilitating pain.

Snake Venom Use

Though Dr. Primor's research was the first official acknowledgement of the curative properties of snake venom, this idea has been popular through time. Long before Primor published his research, there were already reports of successful arthritis treatment through snake bites.

The earliest publicized case was that of a sixty-six year old Englishman with chronic arthritis. Bitten by a snake, he proclaimed on the BBC news channel in 2002 that his finger joint pain was eliminated at least 3-4 weeks after the bite. Unfortunately, the pain returned afterward, initially only mildly for 2 months, and then returning in full force in the ensuing months. Soon enough, the snake bite phenomenon were noticed by some groups at that time.

Snake Venom and Dr. Nafthali Primor

Even at a young age, Dr. Nafthali Primor already showed a certain attraction to snakes. Primor soon because interested with the healing benefits of snake venom. This is perhaps why he was destined to ultimately uncover snake venom arthritis treatment methods.

In the 80s, someone named Dr. Shulov told Primor that Russians have long been using venom creams to treat aches and pains. This revelation motivated Primor to take the concept further with scientific research.

Snake Venom Arthritis Methods

The original pain analgesic invented was the VeP-3, which was taken from Palestinian Viper venom. Dr. Primor observed that of the thousands of molecules found in snake venom, no more than 4 to 5 molecules are in fact poisonous. Meaning, about 99 percent of snake venom is safe and thus can be harvested for a range of curative possibilities.

Primor presently aims to invent a snake venom pain relief salve to specifically target arthritis pain. He cites as an example a "super aspirin" drug created by Merck & Company called "Aggrastat", which prevents has been reported to prevent blood clots and heart attacks. Aggrastat is also based on snake venom.

To this day, snake venom arthritis methods still offer several possibilities. Scientists and doctors still invent techniques with which snake venom can be safely and effectively incorporated in various medicinal purposes. Research efforts likewise aim to develop a powerful cream that will totally eliminate arthritis. In the interim, while we wait for more discoveries in snake venom use, you are strictly advised not to take chances with your body by trying to get snake bites on your own.

About the Author:

To grab a copy of Amy's Free Arthritis Relief Guide, and to read more articles related to Does Snake Venom Work For Arthritis, please click here to visit her website on arthritis.

What to do About Neck Pain

By Robert Walcher D.C.

The Importance of Your Neck!

The neck region of the body is somewhat of a sacrificial area. The neck is called upon to support the weight of the head and must be flexible and resilient. We are a nation of people who sit at computers for hours at a stretch. Still others stand for long hours doing assembly line work where a great deal of stress of the neck and shoulders comes into play. Repetitive motion is one of the causes of neck pain. Others causes might involve overuse, aging, an accident, a fall, or perhaps a blow to the head.

Neck pain is commonly diagnosed as degenerative disc disease, neck strain, whiplash, a herniated disc, or a pinched nerve. Sometimes it is a combination of two or more of these conditions.

Critical to Good Health

The structure and position of the neck is critical to good health. In this area there are seven vertebrae. Vertebrae are the small bones that surround the spinal cord and canal. Between these vertebrae are discs - discs are soft tissue that act as cushions or small "shock absorbers." In very close proximity to the discs are the nerves of the neck.

If a disc ruptures or herniates; it creates a bulge that forces excessive pressure onto the nerves in the vertebrae. Sometimes a bulged disc may cause pain or inflammation that causes pain in the arm and weakness or tingling in the afflicted part of the body.

This list will emphasize how many different tissues are affected by the nerves and muscles of the neck:

arteries veins lymph glands thyroid gland parathyroid glands esophagus larynx trachea

With so many problems stemming from the neck area it is easy to see how vitally important it is to keep this area of the spine and the nerves and muscles therein healthy and working properly.

A Chiropractor Helps the Body Heal Itself

A doctor of chiropractic is highly trained to diagnosis the different types and causes of neck pain. A chiropractor is essentially a specialist in spinal manipulation. Manipulation works to return motion to the spine. It is the lack of normal motion (restricted motion) that causes the pain in the first place. Once normal motion is restored, the muscles relax and pain lessens. The key is to allow the body to heal itself, and this in turn is the key to relief from the ongoing discomfort of neck pain.

It's important to realize that chiropractors are trained in treating the "whole" person. Your chiropractor will not focus on your neck pain alone, but will also address such related problems as stress, poor posture, unhealthy sitting positions at your work station and will even point out preventative steps that can be taken to ensure a healthy, pain-free future.

Why continue to suffer from neck pain that causes you to be less effective in your day to day activities? The answers could be as near as your chiropractor's office.

About the Author:

Dr. Robert D. Walcher D.C. is a graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic West located in San Jose, California. He is the proud founder and owner of Personalized Chiropractic located in Pacific Beach. Are you ready to feel better and to enjoy optimum health? To visit Dr. Walcher Click Here