Author: Kathy Davison

Do Organic Foods Taste Different Than Non Organic Foods?

It is safe to say that taste for the most part is always going to be subjective to argument. Therefore, deciding whether or not organic foods taste better than non organic foods will be subject to opinion. If you’re wondering how well an organic product tastes to its conventional counterpart, putting them to the test in your own recipes might be the best solution to finding out the real truth. Be that as it may, below you will find a few factors that might determine how well or horrible a product can taste.
Factors that Can Alter Taste
There are different factors that can alter the taste of a product that can include the type of food it is, the weather conditions it was grown in, types of soil and management of soil, the farm, and the work ethics of the farmer. Each of these factors can have a significant impact on how things taste which is why taste is a matter of opinion more than fact.
No Scientific Studies
There have been no real scientific studies conducted or research to support or deny the fact that organic foods would taste better than conventional ones. As stated before because everyone responds differently to taste these studies would be very hard to prove or conduct to begin with. However, there may be occasions in which a group of people can agree that certain food types can taste better than others. For instance, if consumers are given the choice between organic peanut butter verses conventional brands, they would likely conclude that the organic peanut butter was better. Why? Because when you compare the recipes conventional brands typically use a lot more sodium and sweeteners in their peanut butter which might dilute the natural flavors.
Chefs and Food Critics Weigh In
Though there are no real studies or researches out there about whether or not organic foods taste better than conventional ones most food experts and chefs agree that they do taste better. Most food professionals provide most of their opinion to the fact that the way the soil is cared for by organic farmers makes the foods taste better. Because the soil on organic farms must be well nourished it creates well nourished produce. The higher foods are in nutritional content, the better it is in flavor. In fact, the National Restaurant Association created a survey in which they found support on the fact that organic foods are much more preferred by food experts and chefs.
So again while there are no real studies to support or deny the fact that organic foods are ranked higher in flavor and taste, there are plenty that would agree they are higher in nutritional value to their conventional counterparts. Opting to go with a farmer that maintains his crops is the best option for finding great tasting foods. Again, if you really want to know which food is the best for your household, put it to the test by cooking your favorite meal with organic and non organic foods to see which gets your taste buds going.

How to lessen the pain from fibromyalgia?

According to eHow.com, “Look at pain management over-the-counter medications types which consist of ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen,” and “Consider prescription pain management prescriptions such as Tramadol/Ultram and Lyrica, which are non-narcotic medications, or low dosages of anti-depressants, which are serotonin re-uptake inhibitors such as Cymbalta, which helps to improve sleep and relieve pain.”
Moreover, when it comes to sleep problems, “Work on sleep management through improving and increasing the amount of healthy sleep cycle. Avoid eating right before going to bed and also avoid sugar, alcohol and drinking caffeine.”
“Try alternative therapies such as acupuncture, acupressure, massages, relaxation techniques, heat and cold compress treatments, light cardio therapy, biofeedback, physical therapy , aromatherapy, and chiropractic methods”
“Change the way you eat by eating more produce and non-processed foods . Avoid sugar, caffeine, and alcohol or use sparingly.”
“Practice self-care management such as breathing exercises to help reduce stress. Exercise regularly, maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating well and try to pace yourself by not overloading yourself with too many activities. This can cause the pain to escalate.”
Lifescript.com explains, “There’s no cure, which means you just have to learn to live with fibromyalgia pain and take steps to ease its symptoms. “Effectively treating fibromyalgia requires a combination of medication and lifestyle skills,” says Daniel Clauw, M.D., fibromyalgia expert and professor of anesthesiology and medicine at the University of Michigan. He’s also director of the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center there. “
“Working out is recommended for most everyone, but it can especially help fibromyalgia sufferers, who often feel stiffness (especially after waking in the morning) and restless leg syndrome. Exercising regularly – whatever you can manage on a routine basis – can boost mood, ease pain, improve sleep, reduce fatigue, improve circulation and strengthen your heart. Among recommended activities for fibromyalgia patients: stretching, walking, yoga, cycling, swimming, water aerobics and strength training.”
“But be careful: Sometimes exercise can be counterproductive, says Stephen MacPherson, N.D., a naturopathic doctor at the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Center in Seattle. Many are so fatigued, that it makes it difficult to exercise.”
“Fibromyalgia patients suffer pain more intensely than other people do. They may feel it all over their body or in multiple tender points. Water therapy, light aerobics, application of heat or cold, acupuncture, and osteopathic or chiropractic manipulation have helped fibromyalgia patients, say the experts at the National Fibromyalgia Association. So has physical therapy.”
“It can increase mobility, improve physical function and ease pain. Experts at the National Pain Foundation believe that physical therapy can help people regain their muscle tone and flexibility.
“Eating lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats and dairy also will energize you, lower weight and improve overall health as you battle fibromyalgia. Janet Horn, M.D., Lifescript’s women’s health expert and a practicing physician in Baltimore, suggests eliminating the following foods, which appear to bother some people with fibromyalgia:
• Food additives like MSG and nitrates (the preservative in hot dogs and bacon)
• Aspartame (NutraSweet)
• Sugar”
And make sure you get plenty of sleep!

Diabetes: What Can You Do To Treat Foot Ulcers

Diabetes is a disease that can have serious complications. It can affect the heart, eyesight, and it can even affect the kidney. However, one of the most common complications that diabetes can give its sufferers is the development of foot ulcers. Known as a diabetic foot ulcer this condition can lead to amputation if neglected.

Basically, a foot ulcer is a wound or open sore that appears on the feet. A big percentage of diabetic sufferers is affected by this and it is important that everyone should be aware of this in order to prevent it or at least know how to treat it.

Foot ulcers appear commonly on the soles of the feet. However, it can also appear on any part of the foot. This is a very serious problem for diabetics as many patients who had foot ulcers ended up requiring amputation of the affected limb. This is why diabetes is the leading causes of non traumatic limb amputation.

Although any diabetic patient can develop foot ulcer, there are several factors that can increase the risk of developing it.

Poor blood glucose control is one factor that can increase the risk of developing foot ulcer. You have to remember that proper diabetes management requires you to constantly regulate your blood sugar level. If you fail to do so and that your blood glucose level fluctuates, then you will end up experiencing unpleasant signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, which include foot ulcers.

Sensory neuropathy is another factor that can increase the risk of foot ulcers in diabetics. This is when the patient loses the feeling in the feet. This is due to nerve damage due to high blood sugar levels.

Long duration of diabetes can also be the cause of foot ulcers. This means that in the long run, you will likely experience getting foot ulcers.

Poor circulation of blood can also lead to foot ulcers as well as foot deformity, poor foot healthcare, and inappropriate footwear.

There are many causes of foot ulcers to develop. A classic example would be a diabetic with sensory neuropathy going for a long walk on new or ill fitting shoes. These shoes can be hard on the feet, which can cause chaffing. Because of the sensory neuropathy, the patient will not feel the chaffing, which then causes blisters to form, which the patient will not be aware of.

Because of reduced circulation, the blister will not heal and will eventually turn in to an ulcer. Because of high blood sugar levels in the body, the ulcer is unable to heal. Combine this with continual pressure on the area, and then you have a perfect case for foot ulcer.

To treat the foot ulcer, the main goal is to get the ulcer to heal as soon as possible. The faster the ulcer heals, the less chance there is that it will get infected. During treatment, preventing infection should be your goal. You can do this by regularly disinfecting the affected area. You should also remove dead skin of the wound surrounding the area as well as relieve pressure by applying pressure relieve padding on shoes.

These are the things that you need to remember about foot ulcer. Foot ulcers are preventable. The key to this is to constantly monitor your blood sugar levels as well as being aware of what’s going on with your body.

Reverse your Diabetes……http://www.myhealthbusiness.info/reversediabetes

Does Depression Cause Insomnia?

The link between depression and insomnia is becoming more prominent in patients. In fact statistics have shown that about 30% of all Americans will at some point experience some form of depression and 40% of those patients will complain that they’re unable to get sleep. Knowing whether or not depression causes insomnia, or insomnia causes depression is still a debatable topic, that is still being argued today.
Sleeplessness One of the Main Symptoms of Depression
You will find that most people who have been diagnosed as being clinically depressed often complain of the inability to get sleep. Insomnia is a serious symptom which if not treated could cause your depression to worsen. While using sleeping pills might seem like the most effective solution in depressed patients it is found to be only a temporary resolve. The reason is because without fully treating the depression the sleeplessness will continue to return. It is also common for sleep medications to stop working altogether. However, because depression has also been linked to oversleeping or prolonged sleeping patterns, it is still undetermined which disease causes the other to occur.
Forced Insomnia for Treating Depression
There are some studies out there now stating that keeping up normal, healthy individuals for the night could create a transient euphoria, whereas keeping up a depressed individual for the night could cause them to feel in a better mood. However, this good mood tends to disappear as they get ready to go to sleep which is why many find it difficult. While this is still in research phase, many medical professionals disagree with depriving a depressed patient of sleep with the hopes of treating their mental health.
Insomnia Has Been Proven to Lead to Depression
Now on the other end of the spectrum there are the studies that state that insomnia can lead to depression. A study conducted by a professor by the name of Jules Angst showed that the longer the citizens of Zurich were sleep deprived the more depressed they became. As insomnia transformed from temporary to chronic levels of depression deepened and become prolonged as well. There have been backup studies that support these findings in showing that those who had difficulty sleeping each night were far more likely to develop depression. Studies are being generated across the globe supporting that any level of sleeplessness can potentially lead to higher levels of depression.
The Verdict: What Causes What?
So now that you have a better understanding of insomnia and depression you can see how medical professionals are having a hard time discerning which causes which to occur. There have been studies that support that insomnia causes depression and other studies supporting that depression causes insomnia. What you can conclude however is that they are most certainly directly related to one another. If you happen to be an insomniac the lack of rest giving your body what it needs to be ready for the next day could most certainly lead to bouts of depression. Since both can make the other condition worse, it is always best to never self diagnose yourself but instead speak with your doctor or therapist about your issues so that you can be properly treated for one condition or both.

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