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!

Poor Circulation / Raynard's Disease

What is Raynard's Disease?

The circulatory system, comprising the heart, blood vessels, and blood, is like the body’s internal transport system - taking message and materials, including nutrients, from one part to another. It also controls nutrient levels, waste disposal, and the regulation of water and temperature. With poor circulation, the efficiency of blood flow in the tiny capillaries is affected. Even the slightest drop in temperature can narrow the vessels causing a condition known as Raynard's disease. Raynard's affects nine times more women than men.

The usual treatment for Raynard's is prescription drugs that dilate the blood vessels. Unfortunately, they cannot be targeted only to those vessels affected and so can cause problems such as headaches by dilating vessels in the brain and nausea by affecting those in the stomach too.

How do I treat poor circulation / Raynard's disease naturally?
Diet recommendations for poor circulation / Raynard's disease

Avoid fried and fatty foods
Avoid caffeine

Eat a diet high in dark fish and flax seed oil

Add ginger to your meals. Ginger is a staple of Ayurvedic medicine, where it is used to warm the body and stimulate all the tissues, including the blood vessels. Start your day by adding a slice of fresh ginger root to honey, lemon, and hot water to make or warming drink or to warmed fruit juice.

Add good stimulating spices to your meals such as cayenne

Eat plenty of lecithin and flaxseed fibre.

Herbal recommendations for poor circulation / Raynard's disease

The following herbs are circulatory stimulants with other properties as well. Use one or more tinctures in combination. Take 20 to 30 drops two times per day.

Ginkgo biloba is a great herb to use in treatment of poor circulation. Studies and ancient use have suggested that ginkgo may have a major role to play in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease.

Bilberry is another herb used in the treatment of poor circulation.

Other stimulating herbs may include ginger and turmeric. Ginger root (Zingiber officianale) is a mild soothing agent

Hawthorn berries (Crataegus laevigata) strengthens and mildly dilates blood vessels

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a gentle relaxant

Prickly ash bark (Xanthoxylum clava-herculis) enhances lymph activity and integrity of blood vessels

Nutritional supplements: recommendations for poor circulation / Raynard's disease

Evening primrose oil has also performed well in clinical trials. Sufferers were found that compared with a placebo, the number of attacks and their severity decreased although blood flow did not increase. These patients were taking between 3,000-6,000mg of evening primrose oil per day.

Omega-3 oils (1,500 mg two to three times per day) reduce swelling and help certain blood cells function well.

Vitamin E (400 to 800 IU per day) improves circulation and acts as an anticoagulant.

Co-enzyme Q10 (100 mg - 200mg per day) improves tissue oxygenation promotes healthy tissues.

Vitamin C (1,000 mg two to three times per day) supports connective tissue and reduces swelling.

Lifestyle recommendations for poor circulation / Raynard's disease

Lifestyle changes are important too.
Nicotine reduces blood flow to the extremities - so stop smoking.
The contraceptive pill can also affect circulation, so find another alternative if you suffer from Raynard's.
Saunas would be helpful to promote circulation
Exercise stimulates circulation