Health Articles - Aviva Natural Health Solutions

...processed meats cover a lot of territory - including sausage, bacon, ham, hot dogs, salami, bologna, and packaged sandwich slices. Most Americans eat significant amounts of these foods that are not only high in fat and nitrates - but loaded with salt as well...

Black pepper is a good antioxidant - and has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps to reduce gas formation after a meal - and may increase fat breakdown....It's also good for increasing the bioavailability of other nutrients and substances...

The resistant starch that comes from eating green bananas has some interesting health benefits. It may even help with the battle of the bulge. High fibre foods and foods that contain resistant starch increase satiety and reduce overall calorie consumption, probably due to their effects on digestion and satiety hormones...

..by the time evening rolls around, you're probably ready to flop on the couch and vegetate until bedtime. If you're often sluggish and it feels like you're dragging yourself through the day, you may be able to recharge your batteries and feel more energetic just by making some simple lifestyle adjustments...

In some areas of the world, eating reptiles is thought of as a tasty delicacy. Despite the interest in culinary reptiles, it may not be a sound practice from a health standpoint. Reptiles such as snakes and turtles can harbor parasites, bacteria, and other contaminants...

(video transcription) The Dr. Niedermaier Pharma method of cascade fermentation. Fresh ingredients grown under controlled organic conditions are a...

The best way to get the health benefits of yogurt is to buy plain, unsweetened yogurt (or make it yourself) and give it your own burst of flavor at home. By doing this you can create a more nutritious yogurt – and turn a plain cup of yogurt into a superfood...

A recent study showed that flaxseed oil may increase bone density in diabetics and older women... It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which make it a good choice for people with arthritis and other diseases that cause pain and inflammation...

Long considered to be just a weed, wild purslane can now be found at farmer's markets and organic food markets where its impressive nutritional properties are just starting to be recognized...

Sources of GLA include evening primrose oil, borage, or black currant seed oil. Studies show that women with PMS symptoms are GLA-deficient, so supplementing our body's requirements may prevent PMS...

Now, observe your breathing. Inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. Feel the sensation of the air moving in and out of your body for each breath you take. Notice the rise of your belly as the air fills your lungs and how it falls when you let air out. ...This will keep your mind busy and focused...

The world wide acceptance of traditional Chinese medicine is evidenced by the recognition given to it by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) ...as a viable alternative to Western medicine. In addition, a number of health insurance companies now pay claims for acupuncture treatments...

Other than the use of herbs, Native American medicine includes stimulation of body points similar to acupressure, massage and therapeutic touch. The Native American medicine healer lays his hands on the patient to calm him and soothe his pains. The technique is also used to locate the source of the pain...

...gaining popularity in recent years thanks to positive findings by various scientific studies and the promotion by the athletic community.... to start implementing more caveman foods in your diet, here is a list of ten of the healthiest foods that make up a paleolithic diet...

Macadamia nut oil contains up to 85% monounsaturated fats. It's also a good source of oleic acid, the main monounsaturated fat in olive oil, and the component that gives olive oil its heart healthy benefits. The oleic acid found in macadamia nut oil also has anti-inflammatory properties which may help to reduce the risk of other chronic diseases...

It appears that when probiotic bacteria are present in the intestines, their presence led to an immune response against the parasitic invaders, preventing them from attaching to the gut wall and leading to infection...

Lignans are natural plant chemicals ..[with] weak estrogen-like effects in the human body. When they bind to estrogen receptors, they don't stimulate the receptor as much as the stronger estrogens produced by the ovaries. At the same time when they bind, they block the effects of more potent estrogens which is a good thing when it comes to the risk of hormonally dependent cancers...

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is responsible for those annoying blisters at the corners of your mouth or on your lips and gums....According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, there is no cure for this virus. Research shows, however, that a healthy diet with lots of lysine-rich foods may lessen the frequency and severity of cold sore outbreaks.

Many people do not realize that herbs, and the quantity in which you take them, may have the capacity to cause you to ovulate, menstruate, and your uterus to contract while taking your birth control pill. Your ingested herbal body cleanse or deworming cleanse may cause you to become pregnant or experience a period even if you are on the pill...

...Vitamin C helps remove cholesterol by converting it into bile acids that are excreted by the bowel. Studies have shown taking 1000 mg of vitamin C and 800 mg Vitamin E before a fat containing meal prevents some fats from being absorbed into the blood...

Aloe vera, flax and garlic, played critical roles in the lives of ancient populations...for everything from clothing to food to medicines. The modern health benefits of these three herbs cannot be disputed...many times there is sound medicine behind the folklore...

The three fatty acids in aloe are campesterol, cytosterol-B, and HDL cholesterol. These three act as anti- inflammatory agents in allergies, gastritis, and duodenal ulcers. They may also help in cases of arthritis, arthrosis, and rheumatic fevers...

There are now over 12 members of the B complex, some of which are: vitamin-B1 or thiamine, B2 or riboflavin, B3 or niacin, and B12, which is made up of cyanocobalamin and two acids

Green vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, spinach and kale are full of B vitamins that are essential to regulating your emotions, fighting off depression and lowering anxiety levels. Additionally, many of these same vegetables are rich in magnesium, which is key in helping muscles relax...

Generally if you are getting enough of the more important minerals - calcium, iron and zinc - you will absorb enough of the others through the same food sources. But as a good rule you should eat as healthily as you can, with a good variety of foods, and you will feel better for it...

The active components of the Valerian plant appear to increase levels of a neurotransmitter found in the brain known as GABA which is associated with maintaining a relaxed, restful mood... it's believed that chemical compounds known as valepotriates which have sedative properties are involved...

Nuts are a rich source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, the so called "good fats", and are high in protein. Because of the monounsaturated fats, nuts have been shown to lower the risk of heart disease and may help to promote weight loss despite their relatively high calorie content...