Celiac disease is a malabsorption syndrome and chronic digestive disorder. The intestine is not able to absorb vital dietary nutrients from foods containing gliadin, an alcohol-soluble portion of gluten. This condition which is often hereditary means the sufferer has a serious intolerance to wheat (including durum, semolina and spelt), rye, oats, barley, and related grain hybrids such as tritaclae and kamut.
Arthritis refers to inflammation of the joint. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis which is characterised by joint degeneration and loss of cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis which is also an autoimmune disorder. In this case the body's immune system attacks its own cartilage and tissue surrounding the joints.
Some detoxification experts advocate fasting, while others do not. It is known that the components of any well-designed detox program will stimulate the body to cleanse itself, but people who are underweight, are undernourished, have weak hearts, have blood sugar issues or are ill should avoid fasting. Some studies have shown that restricting food intake can actually lead to bingeing.
Hemorrhoids are extremely common in industrialised countries and it is estimated that fifty percent of persons over fifty years of age have symptoms of hemorrhoidal disease. Although most people may begin to develop hemorrhoids in the twenties, the symptoms do not become evident normally until in ones thirties!
ANEMIA: natural treatments and remedies
- What is Anemia?
- How do I treat anemia naturally?
- Diet for anemia
- Supplements for anemia
- Herbs for anemia
- Homeopathy for anemia
- Lifestyle factors for anemia
Anemia, a reduction in either the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. These deficiencies which are caused by either decreased production or increased destruction of red blood cells result in a decrease in the amount of oxygen that the blood is able to carry. Anemia is most common among women in their reproductive years, infants and the elderly. The decrease in the amount of oxygen delivered to the body's tissues results in the symptoms of anemia.
Signs and symptoms vary amongst individuals but may often present as tiredness, shortness of breath, paleness, lightheadedness, headaches and heart palpitations and chest pain.
Anemia may have the following causes.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding
- Iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, or other vitamin deficiencies
- Certain chronic conditions
- Gastrointestinal blood loss (caused by ulcers, cancer, parasites)
- Genitourinary blood loss (such as from heavy menstruation)
- Excessive blood loss (after surgery or regular blood donations)
- Excessive alcohol or drug use
- Malabsorption syndromes (for example, celiac disease)
- Congenital diseases (for example, sickle-cell anemia)
- Malnutrition
How can I treat anemia naturally?
There are many things that can be done to improve anemia including treatment through diet, supplements, herbs and general lifestyle factors. If anemia is suspected laboratory tests to examine your blood will be ordered. If you are anemic it is important that your health care provider determines the cause, so that the best possible treatment plan can be formulated. If your anemia is the result of an underlying disease, that disease must first be successfully treated.
Because anemia is often a result of nutritional deficiencies your treatment plan will most likely outline a diet that contains all of the nutrients you need for healthy blood formation, such as vitamin B12, iron, and folic acid. You should have identified for you all the best forms of food for these nutrients and their cofactors. Supplementation and herbs will also be beneficial in many cases. Remember that excess iron is toxic and you should not take supplements unless lab tests indicate iron deficiency and your health care provider recommends them.
ANEMIA - natural treatment and remedies
Diet for anemia
Eating 4 - 6 oz of calf liver oer day is recommended if you are not vegetarian, along with a liberal consumption of green leafy vegetables. Try making the liver into a pate for variety! Liver is the highest source of iron available as a food source. Other high sources kidney beans, pinto beans, rice bran, dried peaches and prune juice.
Eat lots of parsley as it is high in iron and vitamin C so is great for iron absorption. Try variations of pesto, tabbouleh, salads or in fritters daily.
Blackstrap molasses, also known as pregnancy tea (1 tbsp. per day in a cup of hot water), is a good source of iron, B vitamins, minerals, and is also a very gentle laxative.
Spirulina, or blue-green algae, has been used successfully to treat both microcytic and macrocytic anemias. Spirulina is the highest form of porotein by weight in any food source.Dose is 1 heaped tsp. per day which you can have in juice.
Limit intake of foods containing oxalic acid when eating food sources high in iron as they interfere with iron absorption. These foods include almonds, cashews, chocolate, cocoa, kale, rhubarb, soda, sorrel, spinach and swiss chard.
If you are a strict vegetarian, watch your diet closely. Taking supplementary Vit B12 is advised.
Eat brewers yeast, it is high in iron and all the B vitamins. Try mixing it with a little olive oil and eating it on rice crackers.
Try kelp or korengo as good sources of iron. Do not use if hyperthyroid
Note that tea and coffee inhibit iron's absorption. Another good reason to drink these away from your meals.
To absorb iron from vegetable sources of iron you need good stomach acid, a source of vitamin C and good levels of B12. Eat sour foods 15 min utes before food
Note that dairy foods also inhibit iron absorption so don't eat dairy foods alongside good iron rich meals.
If you can't get enough of the above nutrients from food you may wish to consider the following supplementation Ferrous fumerate, succinate, glycerate, or glycinate (30 mg 3 times per day for three to six months) are the most absorbable forms of iron. Ferrous sulfate (325 mg per day) is poorly absorbed and more frequently causes problems with gastrointestinal upset and constipation.
Vitamin C: take 500 mg twice a day to aid in absorption of iron unless your diet is high in fruit and other green vegetables high in vitamin C's
Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamine): 1,000 IU twice a day for one week, then weekly for a month, then every two to three months for vitamin B12 deficiency anemia. Injections of vitamin B12 may in some cases be preferable. Dietary sources include organ meats, meats, eggs, fish, and cheese.
Folic acid: (1 to 2 mg per day)—for folic acid deficiency. Good food sources include green leafy vegetables and grains. Alongside the folic acid you will require 1,000 mcg of vitamin B12 (it is always necessary to supplement vitamin B12 with folic acid to prevent the folic acid supplement from masking vitamin B12 deficiency).
Omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids (1,000 to 1,500 IU) have been shown to decrease the frequency of sickle-cell crisis. EFAs can increase clotting times, so if you are taking anticoagulants, your health care provider will need to check these times.
Herbs are generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the body's systems. Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 to 4 cups per day. Tinctures may be used singly or in combination as noted.
You may be treated with the following herbal therapies for one to three months and then reassessed.
Nettle (Urtica dioca), gentian, barberry (Berberris vulgaris), St Mary's Thistle (Silybum marianum) Ashwaghanda (Withania somniforia), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root or leaf, burdock (Arctium lappa), and yellowdock (Rumex crispus) have long been used to fortify and cleanse the blood. For mild cases of anemia, they may help bring levels of hemoglobin into normal range.
For teas a dosage is 1 tbsp. per cup of water. Simmer roots or dried leaves for 20 minutes and leaves for 5 minutes. A single herb, or a combination of these herbs, may be used. Tinctures and extracts are also very useful. See a qualified herbalist for an individual prescription.
A tea of alfalfa (Medicago sativa), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root or leaf, burdock (Arctium lappa), and yellowdock (Rumex crispus) has long been used to fortify and cleanse the blood. For mild cases of anemia, they may help bring levels of hemoglobin into normal range. Dosage is 1 tbsp. per cup of water. Simmer roots for 20 minutes and leaves for 5 minutes. A single herb, or a combination of these four herbs, may be used.
Gentian liquid extract 10 drops 3 times daily given 30 minutes prior to meals can help raise absorption levels of iron as Gentian is probably one of the best herbal medicines to improve all aspects of digestion. Because of the ‘cold’ nature of Gentian either Ginger or Cinnamon can be added in cases where the digestive system is considered to also be cold. Both these additional herbs also have a beneficial effect on digestion and thus absorption of iron.
Herbs are generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the body's systems. As with any therapy, it is important to work with your provider on getting your problem diagnosed before you start any treatment. Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 to 4 cups per day. Tinctures may be used singly or in combination as noted.
Professional homeopaths may consider the following remedies for the treatment of anemia based on their knowledge and experience. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type. A constitutional type is defined as a person's physical, emotional, and psychological makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate treatment for each individual.
- Ferrum phosphoricum -- for iron deficiency
- Calcarea phosphorica -- particularly for children with nighttime bone aches, cool hands and feet, lack of energy, and/or poor digestion
Lifestyle Factors for treating anemia
Maintaining a normal balanced diet is very important if the cause of your anemia is nutritional. Also, avoid drugs that can have adverse effects on your gastrointestinal system and avoid excessive alcohol intake if one or both of these are the cause of your anemia.
