Body – Page 3

Healthy Snacks for a Healthy Heart

Having a healthy heart is one of the secrets of a person’s longevity. Exercise and proper diet ensures that you keep your heart healthy. However, many people are too busy to prepare meals and snacks that are good for them, reasoning that there are so many meals and snacks available from fast food joints, restaurants and snack bars. Sometimes, people think that healthy snacks are boring, because they long for the added flavorings of packaged food.

But snacking on healthy food can be made very satisfying, flavorful, and easy to prepare. The technique is to choose the right combination of snacks to bring the best flavors. The ultimate goal to having heart-friendly bites is to always have a combination of protein and fiber under 200 calories. [Read more…] about Healthy Snacks for a Healthy Heart

Originally posted on August 23, 2017 @ 2:49 am

Five Ways a Positive Mindset May Help People with Terminal Cancer

Body, Inspiration, Mental Health, Mind, Spirit

Depression, grief, and anxiety are common emotions when a person is diagnosed with a terminal cancer. The experience can feel overwhelming and it may be tempting to mentally shut down in order to avoid the pain of reality. But a cancer diagnosis does not have to rob you of your right to a rich, happy, and fulfilling life, even if the prognosis seems bleak.

While there is no evidence that positive thinking alone can cure cancer, maintaining an overall positive attitude can certainly help make the experience more bearable for you and the people you love. Paul Kraus, a 20-year survivor of metastatic malignant mesothelioma, credits his unprecedented survival, in large measure, to a positive attitude and a healthy lifestyle. [Read more…] about Five Ways a Positive Mindset May Help People with Terminal Cancer

Originally posted on August 9, 2017 @ 4:14 am

How Does VR Technology Help Stargardt Disease Patients?

Body

Stargardt disease is a type of macular degeneration usually found in young people as a result of the recessive gene. It means when both parents carry the ABCA4 mutation, the chances of Stargardt disease in the children go up to 25 percent.

The treatment, however, in young people is different from those who have age-related Macular Degeneration. In other words, ABCA4 is genetic code that sends a message to the body to produce a protein that hinders the normal transportation of food and waste to the retina’s photoreceptor cells. [Read more…] about How Does VR Technology Help Stargardt Disease Patients?

Originally posted on August 8, 2017 @ 8:30 am

Ways to Stay Healthy While You’re Under Pressure

Body, Life

1. Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is absolutely critical to our ability to deal with stress. But in a cruel irony, sleep is often hard to find when we’re under significant stress. Without sufficient rest, you’ll find your resiliency lowered significantly. [Read more…] about Ways to Stay Healthy While You’re Under Pressure

Originally posted on June 28, 2017 @ 11:46 pm

Why on Earth Does Canada Have Crack-Pipe Vending Machines?

Body, Life

I’m not going to lie, I am guilty of spending more than I should every week at the vending machines in my office. Something about the convenience just makes those Funyuns look so good. I also think vending machines are just cool, especially those ones with the robotic arms that offer not just high-sugar beverages but a bit of simple amusement as well (unless it steals my dollar). I recently became interested in learning about a new type of vending machine though… CRACK-PIPE vending machines. [Read more…] about Why on Earth Does Canada Have Crack-Pipe Vending Machines?

Originally posted on May 23, 2017 @ 8:30 am

10 Unexpected Uses for Medical Marijuana

Body, Natural Medicine

Most people know that medical marijuana has been used for many years to help sufferers of chronic pain to get relief, but what other medical benefits are there for using this natural drug?

Here are 10 unexpected uses for medical marijuana that you may not be aware of.

1. Skin Problems

Our skin has large numbers of cannabinoid receptors. Cannabinoid receptors are cell membranes present throughout the body and are part of the Endocannabinoid system. This is involved in a number of physiological processes which include appetite, pain, mood and memory.

Because of these receptors, the topical application of cannabis oil has been found to relieve acne, itching and inflammation. Studies are also being conducted to see whether the oil can be helpful in treating eczema and psoriasis.

2. Relieving Asthma

The endocannabinoid system in our bodies regulates muscle spasms and dilation of the airways. Because medical cannabis is a muscle relaxant it has been proven to aid recovery from acute asthma attacks by dilating the air passages in the lungs. CBD oil in particular has been shown to have great effects on the symptoms of asthma.

3. Diabetes

Studies have found that cannabis users have healthier levels of insulin than non-users. Further studies are being conducted to ascertain whether cannabis can be used as a treatment for diabetes sufferers.

4. Alzheimer’s

Research into what causes Alzheimer’s has indicated that it may be caused by the build up of plaque and tangled fibres of protein in the nervous system. Cannabis has been found to reduce this build up and could be useful as a treatment.

5. Relief from Cancer Symptoms

While it has not been medically proven that cannabis has anti-tumour properties, it can provide relief of some of the symptoms associated with cancer such as depression, pain and nausea from treatments.

6. Gastro-intestinal Problems

Because medical cannabis relieves pain and inflammation along the digestive tract, it can be useful in treating various gastrointestinal problems such as Crohn’s disease, peptic ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome. It also helps to stimulate appetite which can mean that people who suffer from these conditions are able to maintain a healthy weight.

7. Glaucoma

Glaucoma raises the pressure within the eye often resulting in blindness. Cannabis has been found to reduce this pressure and is being used to treat this condition.

8. Anxiety

Due to its relaxant properties, cannabis soothes the nervous system and helps it to calm down. This can be especially useful for people who suffer from anxiety.

9. Relieving Muscle Cramps and Spasms

Because cannabis is a muscle relaxant it can be very useful in reducing muscle cramps and spasms. This is particularly helpful for people who like to exercise regularly but are unable to do so because the pain associated with these cramps makes it too difficult.

10. Can Alleviate Depression

As previously stated, the endocannabinoid system regulates our moods. Therefore, using cannabis can have an uplifting effect on our system and is very useful in alleviating feelings of depression.

And the good news is that medical cannabis does not produce the high that is generally associated with using marijuana. This is because the psychoactive properties have been removed. Therefore, daily activities like driving and operating machinery are not affected and senses are not dulled with the use of medical cannabis.

Originally posted on May 18, 2017 @ 3:52 am