Category: Health Concerns

Natural Solutions for Pink Eye

February 20th, 2012 by Paula Gallagher

I don’t know about your house, but my house has had case after case of pink eye thanks to a 3-year-old in daycare. Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, a clear membrane that covers the outermost layer of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids.

It looks worse than it usually is but should be diagnosed and treated early because certain types are very contagious (as in my house). Symptoms of pink eye may include:

  • Tenderness of the eye, or pain
  • Itchiness
  • Body aches
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Discomfort in the eye
  • Redness of the eye or inner eyelids
  • Discharge and teariness
  • Discharge may cause eyelids to crust and stick together while sleeping (this happened to me…one word: gross)
  • Swelling of the eyelids
  • Infection usually begins with one eye, but can quickly spread to other eye in cases of viral or bacterial conjunctivitis (this happened to me, too)

Pink eye can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or allergic reactions. Antibiotic drops are commonly prescribed, but if the cause is a virus, these drops won’t help. Continue reading “Natural Solutions for Pink Eye”

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Magnesium Decreases Risk of Stroke

February 14th, 2012 by Paula Gallagher

Research published in the latest American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found each 100 mg increment of magnesium intake per day was associated with an 8% risk reduction for stroke.

Seven studies were evaluated to determine if magnesium intake had an effect on stroke occurrence. Magnesium is a key anti-inflammatory mineral that relaxes your nerves and arteries, and supports healthy electrical signalling to your heart. A majority of Americans lack optimal magnesium intake due to a refined-food diet, and soils that lack magnesium from poor farming methods.

With stroke being the top killer in the United States, something as simple as getting enough magnesium should be a no-brainer. Here are some foods that are great sources of magnesium:

Pumpkin seeds, spinach, Swiss chard, halibut, black beans, cashews, almonds, sunflower seeds and dairy.

If you still have a hard time getting in at least 400mg of magnesium per day with food, take a quality supplement to help.

 

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Coping with Grief: Bach Flower “Star of Bethlehem”

February 9th, 2012 by Paula Gallagher

Grief is a hard emotion and people deal with it many different ways. I recently lost an uncle to Alzheimer’s. It was a long and hard road for both him and his family. In a way, this has brought peace to a horrific situation, but there is still an intense sadness in losing one you have loved.

Personally, I have turned to Bach Flower Essences for many situations. I have used their Rescue Remedy for stressful situations and to help me ease tension. However, for grief I turn to their single remedy, Star of Bethlehem. It is recommended for shock, grief, distress, for those who need consolation and comfort, for bad news, an accident, fright, a narrow escape, for delayed shock, to neutralize effects of any shock past or present, even the shock of birth.

Flower remedies are a simple and natural method of healing that work with the emotional state of a person, rather than the physical illness. They act to harmonize and balance the personality, and to counteract such things as irritation, fears and guilt, which Dr. Bach, the founder, saw as the real cause of illness and unhappiness.

I would like to clarify, however, that is not a replacement for the comfort of loved ones, or therapy if needed. What it is, is a safe remedy to help you cope with your emotions.

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Happy Heart Month: 10 Tips for a Healthy Heart

February 7th, 2012 by Paula Gallagher

You may think cancer is the leading cause of death in America, but you would be mistaken. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States; one in every three deaths is from heart disease and stroke, equal to 2,200 deaths per day.

February is American Heart Month, and unfortunately, most of us know someone who has had heart disease or stroke. Follow these 10 tips for a stronger, healthier heart:

1. Monitor your blood pressure

High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack by up to 25% and stroke by up to 40%. So it’s important to monitor your blood pressure level.

High blood pressure is defined as a reading above 140/90, measured on multiple occasions. A single high reading does not necessarily mean a blood pressure problem. Additional readings will likely be monitored before high blood pressure is clinically diagnosed. Check your blood pressure at the same time every day for a more accurate reading. Continue reading “Happy Heart Month: 10 Tips for a Healthy Heart”

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Whole Foods Backs Down to GMO Giant Monsanto

February 6th, 2012 by Paula Gallagher

After 12 years of fighting this biotech giant, Whole Foods has backed down from trying to stop Monsanto genetically engineered (GE, or GMO) crops from contaminating the nation’s 25,000 organic farms and ranches, saying that GMOs and organic plants have to coexist in this world. Biotechnology is big business. The mother of agricultural technology, Monsanto reported sales of approximately 10.5 billion dollars in 2010. They make Roundup, the name given to the herbicide glyphosate, the most used herbicide on the planet. They also make genetically modified seeds that can tolerate very high doses of Roundup.

Genetically modified seeds or foods are made from genetically modified organisms, commonly known as GMOs. These GMOs have had changes made to their DNA by genetic engineering. The FDA does not regulate GMOs and Monsanto will try to convince you that GMOs are safe and that they are helping stop hunger by providing the capability to grow foods that are hardier and stronger.

However, here are eight reasons according to organicauthority.com why genetically modified organisms are bad:  Continue reading “Whole Foods Backs Down to GMO Giant Monsanto”

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    Paula Gallagher
    Paula is a highly qualified and experienced nutrition counselor on the staff at Village Green.
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