10 Easy-to-Grow Medicinal Plants For Home Remedies - Republic World

10 Easy-to-Grow Medicinal Plants For Home Remedies  Republic World

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Are Himalayan Salt Lamps Healthy Or A Hoax?

Made from large rock crystals of salt mined in Pakistan and India, Himalayan salt lamps range from pink to orange in color but can also be brown or off-white. They provide a soothing light when carved out and a candle or light bulb is placed within. This light is sometimes credited with offering up a variety of health benefits, such as eliminating the electromagnetic radiation output of electronic devices, called electro-smog, as well as offering up positive energy via negative ions; these ions are purported to help reduce indoor pollution, bring oxygen to the brain, and boost the immune system.

As great as this all sounds, there is no scientific evidence to support any of these claims. While negative ions are naturally produced by ocean waves and waterfalls, which tend to have a soothing effect on our mood, and positive ions (produced by electronic devices) seem to cause agitation and anxiety, there is no proof that Himalayan salt lamps produce negative ions or improve your health.

It should be noted that a few small studies have indicated that negative ionization can, in specific circumstances, be beneficial to health: high-density ionization can be a useful alternative to bright light therapy for people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

If you want to reduce electro-smog, a better option than a Himalayan salt lamp is to keep your electronic devices away from where you sleep. If you use your device as an alarm, put it on “airplane mode” to decrease electromagnetic output throughout the night. Another concern with our increasing use of devices is the light exposure leading up to bedtime. This late exposure can shorten REM cycles and lower levels of melatonin. Aim to limit the use of these devices one to two hours prior to sleep and use a blue light filter as often as possible at night by adding one to your screen or wearing blue-blocking glasses.

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3 Reasons To Eat Grapefruit

Pink or white, with seeds or seedless, grapefruit is delicious, tart and refreshing. Eating it regularly is a great way to get your vitamin C in just a few calories: an average-size grapefruit has about 70 calories total. Plus, this citrus fruit offers other benefits. Research suggests it may:

1. Protect against cancers of the prostate, lung and colon
2. Support immune function
3. Lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.

When choosing, look for a thick skin and heavy weight – both help to ensure a juicier fruit. Enjoy grapefruit peeled, sectioned and tossed in a salad, or on its own. Skip the traditional sprinkle of sugar, and learn to appreciate its natural, subtle sweetness. Do not associate the wonderful benefits of grapefruit with drinking grapefruit juice. Instead, focus on eating the fruit to consume all of the benefits, including fiber without a large sugar load.

You should also be aware that grapefruit juice contains substances that can influence the absorption and the way the liver metabolizes a number of drugs. If you drink grapefruit juice and take prescribed medications like the cholesterol-lowering statin medications, the effects of the drugs can be multiplied. It is best to separate the two by a few hours. Be sure to read the package insert included with your medication or ask your pharmacist or physician. It is best to keep a consistent schedule and routine along with monitoring blood levels that pertain to the effect of the medication, cholesterol in the statin example above.

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5 Best Home Remedies For Seasonal Flu - News18

5 Best Home Remedies For Seasonal Flu  News18

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Can natural remedies cure cancer? Netflix show Apple Cider Vinegar reveals harsh realities - Health shots

Can natural remedies cure cancer? Netflix show Apple Cider Vinegar reveals harsh realities  Health shots

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6 Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Bad Breath Naturally - Jagran English

6 Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Bad Breath Naturally  Jagran English

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Doctors: Home remedies for ear pain can be risky - Pajhwok Afghan News

Doctors: Home remedies for ear pain can be risky  Pajhwok Afghan News

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7 Home Remedies to Cure Teeth Sensitivity - India.com

7 Home Remedies to Cure Teeth Sensitivity  India.com

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5 Ways To Help Manage Cholesterol Levels

For people battling high cholesterol, choosing meals wisely can be a challenge, but it is essential. Restaurants, parties, even seemingly healthy take-outmay present unhealthy temptations. But simple dietary modifications can help you eliminate those unhealthy choices:

1. Reduce sugar and flour. Recent research indicates that added sweeteners and flour-based carbohydrates, which are far too abundant in the American diet, are major contributors to obesity and heart disease, likely due to their effect on insulin levels.  Be aware of the flour-based foods that may seem less obvious, such as breads, tortilla chips and cereals, as they are all high carbohydrate foods. As far as your cholesterol profile goes, they will raise your triglycerides and likely contribute to LDL increases as well. Recent research suggests that higher non-HDL cholesterol, comprised solely of LDL and triglycerides connect strongly to heart disease risk.
2. Avoid trans-fat. Stay away from items that list “hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oil” on the label, especially snack foods such as chips or popcorn. Try baked or air-popped versions instead.
3. Use fresh garlic regularly in your meals. Garlic has been shown to help lower cholesterol levels. Use one or two chopped cloves daily.
4. Drink green tea daily. The antioxidants in green tea help lower cholesterol and prevent the cholesterol in your blood from oxidizing.
5. Eat plenty of soluble fiber. It has a powerful cholesterol-lowering effect. The best sources are beans and lentils, apples, citrus fruits, oats, barley, peas, carrots and freshly ground flaxseed.

In addition, aim for a morepeaceful, healthy lifestyle. There is quite a bit of data connecting stress, both physical and emotional, to elevated cholesterol levels. We talk about relaxation a lot, but rarely do we think of it as a way to lower cholesterol.

Also be sure to talk to your doctor about some of the newer and likely more predictive blood data assessing cardiovascular risk. ApoB is gradually replacing a traditional cholesterol panel  for risk assessment in the data, cardiac or high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein can help assess the inflammation levels related to heart attack risk and Lipoprotein (a) or Lp(a) is a genetic marker that predicts risk beyond a fasting lipid panel as well. Also talk to your doctor about a coronary calcium CT scan that most hospitals offer for under $100 as a way to assess cardiovascular risk, particularly if you have had a history of mild to moderate cholesterol elevation.

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Pasta Love Try These 5 Healthy Pasta Tips

Quality carbohydrates are an essential part of a balanced, healthful diet. If pasta is your go-to carb, there are ways to take advantage of this low-cost food to make it even healthier:

1. Choose organic pasta, rice noodles, bean thread noodles and noodles such as Japanese udon and soba, which are part whole wheat and buckwheat. There are now a number of bean-based pastas which have the advantage of lower carbohydrates and higher protein than traditional wheat-based versions. They are also gluten-free if you have found gluten to be bothersome to your digestive tract or overall health.
2. Cook pasta only until it is al dente (barely tender). When it is cooked this way, it achieves a lower glycemic index than fully cooked pasta because the pulverized grain digests slowly in the stomach. (Low-glycemic-load carbohydrates should be the bulk of your carbohydrate intake to help minimize rapid rises in blood glucose levels.)
3. Skip the creamy sauces – they can provide unhealthy hydrogenated fats as well as excess saturated fats and more calories than traditional tomato-based sauces and added vegetables. An additional advantage of tomato sauces is the lycopene, one of a number of healthful antioxidants we should include in our daily intake.
4. Aim for two to three servings per week. One serving is equal to about 1/2 cup cooked pasta, which is far less than the amount Americans typically eat. Think of pasta as a side dish as opposed to a main course.
5. Try spaghetti squash – the pulp of this vegetable, after being cooked, teases out like spaghetti and is a great and healthful alternative to flour-based pastas. Another creative replacement allows you to make “zoodles” from zucchini with a spiralizer.

And don’t forget that pasta is the perfect complement to vegetables – you can toss in almost any lightly steamed vegetable and low-to-no sugar added tomato sauce for additional nutrients and antioxidants.

See more pasta recipes and try the Broccoli Pasta recipe!

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Home remedies for illegal migration - Deccan Herald

Home remedies for illegal migration  Deccan Herald

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Common myths about hair loss — and which natural remedies can grow it back - New York Post

Common myths about hair loss — and which natural remedies can grow it back  New York Post

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7 home remedies for high blood pressure - India.com

7 home remedies for high blood pressure  India.com

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