Archive for April, 2009

It seems in recent years that more and more people seem to be suffering from allergies. These allergies can be to medicine, foods, or environmental factors. Dealing with the effects of the body’s intolerance to some substances can be very difficult for many people. There are several measures that can be taken to make coping with these allergens easier.

It is recommended that a person should see an allergist if they feel like they have intolerance to a particular or unknown substance. An allergist can perform a series of tests to identify exactly what the specific allergens are as well as the severity of those sensitivities. Some allergies can be life threatening and the allergist will carefully instruct the individual on the precautionary life saving measures that could be necessary should a bad reaction occur. Reactions to insect stings, medications and peanuts are commonly found to be very severe and will need to be taken very seriously.

Once the allergist has identified the specific areas of hypersensitivity, there are a number of things that should be done to help a person to cope with their allergies. For instance, the doctor may want the patient to begin a course of allergy injections. These injections will work in the body to reduce the reactions that the patient has to specific allergens. Injections can be given for hypersensitivities to animals, plants, environmental irritants, and many other allergens.

Other Coping Measures

There are several other measures that can be taken to cope with allergies. If a person is intolerant to airborne irritants, an air purifier or filtration system in the home may prove to be very helpful. These systems can be very inexpensive to purchase and generally provide great relief if used as instructed. There are many small units in the marketplace that can be placed in the room where the sufferer spends the majority of their time. There are even small desktop units that can be placed in a person’s work environment.

For people who find that they are allergic to their pets, the best thing to do is to try to find new home for the pet. Though this may be hard for a family or person to even consider, it may be necessary if the allergy is severe. If the allergy isn’t too severe, you may be able to live with the pet provided the home is kept well vacuumed and is dusted regularly. Also, bathing and brushing the pet as often as necessary will help solve the problem in most cases.

There are a number of available medications that can help with allergies. Antihistamines can be purchased over the counter and taken daily to help with allergen relief. Some of these antihistamines were only available by prescription a few years ago, but have now been approved by the FDA for direct consumer purchase. If the over the counter medications do not seem to relieve the symptoms, there are stronger medications available by prescription if your physician believes they are necessary.

It is now estimated that a billion people worldwide exhibit some form of Syndrome X that includes glucose intolerance, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It’s just one step away from getting full blown diabetes.

Diabetes is not a death sentence. It can be reversed or even avoided if you make the changes necessary and resolve to live a healthier lifestyle. That includes a better diet, more exercise and the elimination of smoking, drinking and reducing your stress level.

You can help yourself live healthier by taking natural supplements that can help you regulate your blood sugar whether you are currently non-diabetic, pre-diabetic or already have diabetes.

1) Alpha Lipoic Acid, or ALA is an antioxidant that helps protect against cell damage caused by free radicals. It improves blood flow and increases sensitivity to insulin so the body can better absorb glucose. It is found in some foods such as spinach, broccoli and potatoes.

2) Chromium can be found in meats, fish, legumes, cheese, rye bread and brewer’s yeast. 90% of Americans do not get enough chromium in their diets. Chromium works with insulin to open the cell membranes so they can better absorb glucose. It decreases LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and increase the good HDL levels.

3) Coenzyme Q10 acts as an antioxidant and triggers beta-cell functioning in the pancreas which produces the insulin necessary to move glucose out of the bloodstream. It lessens heart damage. 50 to 100 mg per day is the recommended dose.

4) Magnesium improves insulin response, glucose tolerance and improves the fluidity of red blood cell membranes in diabetics. Seeds, nuts, legumes and green leafy vegetables are rich in this herb. Both magnesium aspartate and magnesium citrate are good sources of magnesium. Take 25 mg of B-6 to help move magnesium into the cells.

5) Before insulin was discovered, vanadium was used to help control blood sugar. In the form of vanadyl sulfate it helps control the rise of glucose after meals. Mushrooms, shellfish, parsley, dill and black pepper are good sources of vanadium.

6) Bitter melon is a cucumber-like plant that grows in Asia, South America and Africa. It helps to lower blood sugar. Just 2 ounces of the juice was shown to improve glucose levels in 73% of type 2 diabetics in one study. You can brew a tea from charantia, a form of bitter melon.

7) Gymnema Sylvestre grows in the tropical regions of India and was used to treat both type 1 and type 2 diabetics. In one study, twenty-two type 2 diabetics were given 400 mg of Gymnema extract along with their oral medication. All experienced improved blood glucose control and 5 of therm were able to discontinue their drug use. It enhances the action of insulin. Dosage is 200 mg two times a day.

Fenugreek seeds were used in folk medicine to treat diabetes. In order to lower blood sugar, about 15 to 50 grams twice daily is needed. The active ingredients is the soluble fiber of fenugreek and the alkaloid trigonelline. It’s helpful for both type 1 and type 2 diabetics.

But as good as supplements are they will do little good unless you take a full approach to change the lifestyle that is making you sick. Eliminate the bad food in your diet, your stress level, your smoking habits and get the exercise you need are the only ways to prevent you from joining the millions who now suffer from the consequences of diabetes.

I am going to dispel one of the most misleading subjects as far as what is the best way to build muscle fast: supplements. Let me clear up all of the confusion about supplements right now by saying this: No supplement will EVER substitute hard work, proper diet, and the right attitude to gain weight and build muscle.

With the exception of the occasional meal replacement, supplements are meant to supplement, not substitute. As far as the fasted way to build muscle, supplements should be the last thing you add to your program, if you add it at all. Supplements alone are completely worthless. They can add to the value of your progress only after you FIRST apply a proper workout and diet.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not totally against supplements, but the BILLION dollar market today glorifies them to the extent that anybody looking for a quick fix can fall victim. Why are they so successful marketing these supplements even though most of them have no evidence whatsoever that they can do what they promise? Because their targets are people who want fast ways to build muscle and gain weight but don’t want to work hard for it.

Don’t become one of these targets. Separate yourself from the wannabe’s and become what few people are willing to work for. Make a decision to yourself right now that you will not look for any easy route to get what you want. Use your common sense and you will remember that anything worthwhile requires sacrifice.

But the reward is always worth the work, ALWAYS. Supplements won’t substitute any hard work for you but if you use them intelligently and know which ones really work and which ones don’t, they can help your progress.

Now that you know what role supplements really play in gaining weight and building muscle, here is a list of the a few type of supplements that are worth investing any money in. Keep in mind that most big brand names are in essence pretty much the same.

1) Whey Protein Powder or Bars

2) Creatine Monohydrate Powder

3) Meal Replacement Powders or Bars

4) Multi-Vitamins

5) Post-Workout Carbohydrate Drinks

6) Extra Vitamin C

7) ZMA

You can pretty much find these at any local general nutrition store or any major website that sells bodybuilding supplements. Remember, supplements are NOT magic. They act only as an additional component to a proper workout program, but should be the last component in order of importance. A proper workout, a diet with the right food to eat to build muscles, plenty of sleep, and the right attitude is all you really need to get in shape and build muscle fast. Focus on these elements FIRST, then you may consider a few basic supplements after.