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Red hot chillies and sinus relief

Hot chili peppers (Capsicum annum)  is a very important component of some the South East Asian cuisines like those from Thailand, India etc. Red chilies are very hot as compared to black pepper and produces tears if one is very adventurous about trying them, sometimes out of temptation! What is surprising though is the recent research that shows that red chilies can in fact bring about relief for non-allergic sinusitis where the upper respiratory tract inflammation causes great suffering. Reasons for this type of sinus may not be very clear in certain cases, even though, weather, pollution and perfume sprays can trigger the inflammation.

Capsaicin spray for sinus

A new study reported by University of Cincinnati allergy scientist Jonathan Bernstein, MD, suggests that a nasal spray containing an ingredient (Capsaicin – sometimes used for temporary pain relief) derived from hot chilli peppers could well be a solution for certain types of sinus associated inflammation. This FDA approved ingredient is also available as over-the-counter drug.

University of Cincinnati study

A comparative effect of Capsicum annum nasal spray to a placebo nasal spray in 44 subjects having pretty high levels of nonallergic rhinitis as evident through nasal congestion, sinus pain, sinus pressure, was assessed for a period of two weeks.Nasal spray with Capsicum reported a faster onset of action or relief, on average within a minute of using the spray, than the control group using placebo and, the spray was found to be safe and effective.

Capsaicin spray is effective for non-allergic rhinitis

The results are very encouraging according to the researchers since there is no effective control as yet for non-allergic rhinitis. Moreover, this was the first study where the ingredient was able to be handled without the administration of anesthesia because of the ingredient being too hot. This is not the first time however that chili pepper has been found to be medically useful. In one earlier study, capsaicin was found to hace blood pressure reducing benefits in rat models. So, including chili pepper in your diet may actually have many benefits. But as it is with any food item, too much may not be good either.

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Constipation is a very unpleasant condition when it has bothered the sufferer for a long time. It decreases your energy levels and you feel uncomfortable all the time. There are all kinds of laxatives that can be bought from pharmacy. However, often home remedies for constipation are just as effective, and they not only help with constipation but also help to prevent the condition in the future.

Constipation is a very common digestive disorder, and it can affect people of all age groups, from babies to the elderly. It occurs when your bowels are not completely emptied.

Constipation can cause serious health problems, if left untreated. It is a predisposing factor of certain diseases, including arthritis, high blood pressure, appendicitis, and certain cancers.

Home remedies for constipation include the most effective treatment – dietary changes. Changing your diet and lifestyle are two remedies for which you would see results without purchasing a laxative or medication.

Laxatives and other medicines should be used only if you have a very serious case of constipation because your system may become dependent on them. They can weaken your muscles so that normal bowel movement is almost impossible without medication.

Perhaps the most important ingredient to keep your bowel movements normal is fiber. So, you need to eat foods with high amount of fiber. These include, for instance, whole grain cereals, fruits, and vegetables. Also, drink adequate amount of water to keep your body hydrated.

While there are some foods to favor, there are also foods that should be avoided. These include processed foods, foods with high amount of fat, cheese, and red meat. Also, minimize the consumption of artificial drinks and artificial sugary foods.

Eating at regular hours each day will help regulate your digestive system. When you do eat, consume your food slowly and chew it well.

Besides dieting, there are other home remedies that can help with your constipation. One trick that has helped some sufferers is drinking a glass of warm milk just before going to sleep. Drinking a glass of warm water along with lemon juice in the morning can help with the condition even further.

Keep in mind that constipation can also be caused by certain drugs. If you are required by your doctor to take medications, inquire if constipation is a side effect. Many women who are pregnant also suffer from occasional constipation. These are temporary causes and you can control them.

Regular exercise is one of the most effective ways to prevent constipation. Taking some form of exercise to your daily routines will help your digestive system to work effective. You will notice significant improvements in your overall condition rather soon.

Laxatives offer only temporary relief. Changing your lifestyle and diet are long-term home remedies for constipation that are lasting solutions to the nagging digestive tract problem.

Learn more about constipation home remedies by visiting  home-remedies-for-constipation.net.

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If you are fasting for good reasons (like Gandhian Mr.Anna Hazare’s fasting against corruption in India!) then perhaps, you may have to do it periodically to achieve health benefits (for uprooting corruption too, isn’t it?!)

Periodic fasting has been prescribed in certain cultures as a way to worship God. In a world of Science, scientific proof with carefully designed experiments would mean authenticity to belief systems. Afterall, it is always useful to examine things in a proper way!

The science of fasting

There is a report by research cardiologists at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute  that fasting not only lowers one’s risk of coronary artery disease and diabetes, but also causes significant changes in a person’s blood cholesterol levels.

Fasting also was found to bring down additional risk factors associated with cardiac diseases like triglycerides, weight and blood sugar levels. The latest research study was a follow-up of an earlier study performed in 2007 and presented recently in annual scientific sessions of the American College of Cardiology, New Orleans.

The new research recorded reactions in the body’s biological mechanisms during the fasting period. Surprisingly,  low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, the “bad” cholesterol) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, the “good” cholesterol)  increased by 14 % and 6 %, respectively) increasing the total cholesterol in the participants of the study. The study was conducted with 200 indivisuals that included both healthy volunteers and patients.

Fasting reduces the number of fat cells in the body!

The reason suggested by the researchers is that fasting causes hunger or stress, and as a response, the body releases more cholesterol, allowing it to utilize fat as a source of fuel, instead of glucose. Eventually, the number of fat cells in the body is brought down. The moral of the story is, ‘The fewer fat cells a body has, the less likely it will experience insulin resistance, or diabetes’.

This recent study also corroborated earlier findings about the effects of fasting on human growth hormone (HGH), a metabolic protein. HGH works to protect lean muscle and metabolic balance, a response triggered and accelerated by fasting. During the 24-hour fasting periods, HGH increased an average of 1,300 percent in women, and nearly 2,000 percent in men.

Fasting as a prescription for natural diabetes treatment

And, the studies may not just be enough! According to the researchers who conducted the study, more research including more parameters for health evaluation may have to be done before a concrete conclusion. However, they also feel that fasting may one day be prescribed as a treatment to prevent diabetes and coronary heart disease!

Well, from the natural health point of view and based on years of periodic fasting observed by humans belonging to certain cultures, it may not be unwise to suggest periodic fasting as a natural health tool to prevent diabetes or heart disease.