Abundant Health

Understanding Headaches: Simple Approaches with Powerful Effects

By Maylin Rodriguez-Paez For those of you who don’t suffer headaches — consider yourselves very lucky. Headaches can be extremely debilitating, causing missed days at work and even costly trips to the emergency room. Depending on the type of headache, the pain can range from mild to incredibly severe and can come with a whole host of additional symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, vertigo and even delirium. In 2009, the CDC published data showing that more people suffered from migraines than from neck pain, and that migraines were second only to lower back pain. Interestingly, headaches and other types of pain syndromes are very common, but really hard to treat. Headaches Remain a Mystery We don’t actually know what causes migraines, but there are different theories. One theory attributes headaches to irregular constriction and dilation of blood vessels in the brain. This classical theory has gained acceptance for many years, and there is probably some truth to it.Support of this theory comes from brain scans. Doctors have been able to show that when people suffer migraines, for instance, there’s diminished blood flow to the brain. 1 But most neurologists believe it’s more complicated than just diminished blood flow and that it might also involve neurotransmitter imbalances. This neurotransmitter theory is supported by research pointing towards irregular serotonin metabolism as a possible culprit. Drops in brain serotonin levels have been observed during episodes of migraine. In addition, drugs called triptans that stimulate serotonin receptors have been shown to reduce the migraine-related symptoms. 2 So, we may not know for sure what causes them, but this we definitely know: most people who suffer chronic headaches have “triggers.” Headaches Require a Trigger A trigger is anything that precedes the onset of a headache. Although there are common ones, people have reported just about everything as a trigger. Here are some common triggers: Food sensitivities (a.k.a. “slow acting allergies”) can trigger migraine headaches. Food sensitivities are delayed immune reactions caused by the ingestion of certain foods. A double blind study showed how restricting one’s diet based on IgG food sensitivity testing reduced the frequency of migraine attacks. 4 Food sensitivities are hard to pinpoint. Physical symptoms often manifest themselves several days after the ingestion of an offending food. One way to determine food sensitivities is through IgG blood testing. Tyramine is found in aged cheese, salami, soy sauce, and red wine. If it’s aged, chances are it’s going to contain a good amount of tyramine. Not everyone gets headaches after eating tyramine-rich foods. Only certain people are “sensitive” to it. 5 Hormone imbalances are associated with headaches. Many women can attest to experiencing a crippling headache during menses. Research suggests that it may be due to an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone levels. One study showed that migraines were more severe during the phase of the menstrual cycle when estrogen is dominant, and that women with relatively higher levels of progesterone fared better. 6 Comprehensive hormone testing can rule out existing hormone imbalances. When we are stressed, we tense the muscles in our head and neck. This muscle tension can then lead to tension headaches. Try yoga. Not only does it alleviate stress, it may even reduce the severity of headaches. 7 Yoga relieves tense muscles. What Type of Headache Do You Have? Knowing the type of headache you’re suffering from can help you in deciding what form of treatment will work for you. There are basically four types of headaches: Tension, migraine, cluster and sinus. Let’s take a look at each one. Tension headaches The majority of headaches are tension headaches. Tension headaches are usually associated with stress. These headaches tend to be mild and felt on both sides of the head. Some people describe it as having a “tight band” around their head. Migraines Migraines are usually felt as throbbing pain on one side of the head. Sensitivity to light and sound may accompany a migraine headache. Cluster headaches Cluster headaches come in patterns — hence the name. These headaches attack repeatedly for certain periods of time (weeks or even months) and then disappear. The pain is intense and usually felt on one side of the head and/or around the eyes. These headaches can wake you up in the middle of the night. Sinus headaches Sinus headaches are characterized by dull throbbing pain felt around the eyes, forehead, or cheeks. The face may be tender to touch. Sinus headaches are often precipitated by sinus infections. Managing Headaches Naturally You probably won’t get rid of your headaches overnight, but if you make certain changes in your lifestyle, over time you may see a decrease in the frequency and severity of your headaches. Some of us are genetically predisposed 3 and may never eliminate these dreaded episodes, but the good news is there are many things you can try that have been clinically shown to be helpful. For starters, try to incorporate these foods and supplements into your daily regimen: Chili peppers : An ingredient in chili peppers called capsaicin inhibits substance P, a neuropeptide which triggers pain. If you’re brave, you can try chili pepper spray. This works well for cluster headaches based on a double blind study. But a word of caution: Do not make you own chili pepper spray – buy one from your local supplement store. 8 Ginger : Many researchers believe that inflammation is related to the onset of migraines. Ginger acts through several mechanisms to ease inflammation and pain. A preparation of feverfew and ginger reduced the severity of migraine headaches in a group of study participants. 8 Magnesium : According to one estimate, a whopping 68% of Americans are magnesium deficient.9 Magnesium is important for blood vessel relaxation and circulation. Oral supplementation with magnesium has been shown to reduce the frequency and duration of migraines. 10 Consider at least 450 mg daily. CoQ10 : CoQ10 is a vitamin-like compound found in our cells. Low CoQ10 blood levels have been found in individuals who suffer migraines, 11 and clinical trials have demonstrated that 150 mg a day may reduce the frequency of headaches. 12 Butterbur : A plant extract that contains petasin, a phytochemical that inhibits inflammation through a variety of mechanisms and may reduce spasms in smooth muscle which relaxes the constriction of cerebral blood vessels. 13 Try some of these suggestions and give us your feedback. But remember, in order to experience the best results you must be consistent . References Kasper DL, Braunwald DE, et al. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. 16th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Professional; 2005. J Clin Pharmacol. 2000 Jul;40(7):687–700. Curr Opin Neurol. 2004 Jun;17(3):283-8. Cephalalgia. 2010 Jul;30(7):829-37. Epub 2010 Mar 10. Clin J Pain. 2009 Jun;25(5):446-52. Headache. 2005 Oct;45(9):1190–1201. Headache. 2007 May;47(5):654-61. Cephalalgia. 1993 Apr;13(2):114-6. J Am Coll Nutr. 2005 Jun 24(3):166-71. Headache. 2003 Jun;43(6):601-10. Headache. 2007 Jan;47(1):73-80. Cephalalgia. 2002 Mar;22(2):137–41. Altern Med Rev. 2001 Apr;6(2):207-9.

Read more here:
Understanding Headaches: Simple Approaches with Powerful Effects

Conventional Medicine Wants FDA to Take Away Most Dietary Supplements

By Bill Faloon An editorial in the January 25, 2012, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine strongly supports the FDA’s proposed New Dietary Ingredient guidelines that would ban most of the effective nutrients you use today. One inane argument is that since some unscrupulous manufacturers are spiking their products with drugs like Viagra®, then all supplements introduced after year 1994 should be removed from the market until the FDA approves them for safety. This has nothing to do with how the FDA is proposing to deny Americans access to natural supplements , but it is nonetheless being used as an excuse to give pharmaceutical giants a monopoly over what you are allowed to put into your body. FDA Inundated with Protests In response to the New Dietary Ingredient guidelines, the FDA has received more than 146,000 pages of comments that expose the absurdities of what the FDA is proposing. Pharmaceutical interests desperately want the FDA to put these guidelines into effect so that Americans will be dependent on prescription drugs. The impact on consumers will be higher prices and reduced efficacy, along with the horrific side effects associated with many FDA-approved medications. We’ve Already Won Some Congressional Support Two powerful senators and longtime friends of natural health, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), wrote to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg and formally asked the FDA to withdraw its guidance document . In addition, Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-IL) recently made a speech titled “Over-regulating Dietary Supplements Endangers Americans’ Jobs and Health” on the floor of the House of Representatives, urging the FDA to go back to the drawing board and ensure that they do not limit Americans’ access to dietary supplements. Ask Congress to Stop this Insanity Health freedom groups have devised a unique strategy to save our supplements from central government prohibition. As you may know, the comment period for the New Dietary Ingredient Draft Guidance is now closed and the FDA will be reviewing all the comments they have received. During this period, we want to make the Draft Guidance such a hot-button political issue that the FDA will be forced to take notice and will address the public’s serious concerns. By accessing our convenient Legislative Action Site , you can ask your senators and representative to make a one-minute floor speech opposing the FDA’s plan to sweep many supplements off the shelf. At the same time, you will be asking your members of Congress to write the FDA about the consumer revolt that is occurring in response to these draconian proposals to take away the most effective dietary supplements on the market today! Just click here to reach our Legislative Action Site and conveniently e-mail your representative and two senators. For longer life, William Faloon

View article:
Conventional Medicine Wants FDA to Take Away Most Dietary Supplements

Why Heart Failure Patients Need Vitamin C

By Michael A. Smith, MD Vitamin C , one of life’s essential nutrients, has been found to be critically important for heart failure patients. At the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2011, researchers reported on a study that linked low levels of vitamin C with higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of heart disease risk. Dr. Eun Kyeung Song, the lead investigator, said the heart failure patients with low vitamin C intake were 2.4 times more likely to have elevated high CRP, placing them at greater risk for additional cardiac events … and even death. The researchers working with Dr. Song stated that patients whose CRP was greater than 3 milligrams per liter were nearly twice as likely to die from heart disease within one year of follow-up. 1 So an obvious solution is to give vitamin C to heart failure patients. But two questions arise: Will any vitamin C supplement work? What is the right daily dose? Let’s see if we can help answer these questions. Supercharge Your Vitamin C Supplement Vitamin C is water-soluble and is eliminated from the body quickly. For someone who is not sick or too deficient in the vitamin, half of the dose you’ve taken is gone within a couple hours. Now that’s fast. So, unless you’re willing to take multiple doses throughout the day, getting the full benefit from vitamin C can be difficult. Fortunately, a flavonoid antioxidant known as dihydroquercetin functions as a vitamin C “supercharger.” Studies demonstrate that dihydroquercetin acts to inhibit the oxidation of vitamin C, thereby helping to maintain its concentration and recycle vitamin C throughout the body. 2 This synergistic relationship between dihydroquercetin and vitamin C greatly enhances the efficacy of both molecules in the body’s organs and tissues. Vitamin C with dihydroquercetin will allow people with heart failure to obtain optimal efficacy and antioxidant protection from a vitamin C supplement. So what about dose? If you go by the RDI (recommended daily intake), you’ll get between 90 and 100 mg a day … just enough to prevent scurvy. Such a dose probably won’t do all that much for your heart. In fact, people with weak hearts should consider taking the ODI or optimal daily dose, which is 2000 mg a day. If you’re using a vitamin C-dihydroquercetin combination as we suggest, than take 1000 mg with breakfast and 1000 mg with dinner. Reduce Risk with Foods that Lower Inflammation So if everything works out right, increasing your vitamin C should correlate to a drop in CRP … at least according to the study. However, the study only describes an association between low vitamin C and higher CRP. To lower CRP and reduce risk as much as possible, we suggest natural anti-inflammatories found in food as well. The following foods have been shown to lower CRP and inflammation. Pick at least one of them and add it to your diet: Omega-3 Fats Sources include oily fish like salmon, tuna, sardines, and anchovies. These specialized fats suppress multiple steps in the inflammatory process and limit the production of inflammatory cytokines, like CRP. 3 Olive Oil Provides monounsaturated fats. Olive oil has been shown to decrease inflammation. 4 Whole Grains Our favorite whole grains include quinoa, bulgur wheat, barley, oats, and rye. These are associated with lower CRP. 5 Seeds & Nuts Add a handful or two of flax seeds, pumpkin, and/or walnuts to your diet. Flax seeds, for instance, contain alpha-linolenic acid, which has been shown to lower CRP. 6 Dark Fruits Eating dark berries and tart cherries can lower CRP. 7 For example, tart cherries contain antioxidants called anthocyanins. They provide protection against not only inflammation, but also pain. In animal studies, the effect was shown to be comparable to that of the anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin. 8 Are you living with heart failure? Improving your odds of living a longer, healthier life could very well be possible with something as simple as vitamin C. Add in some anti-inflammation foods and now you’re really doing your heart some good. For more details on how to strengthen your heart, check our recent blog post: Want a Long Healthy Life? Strengthen Your Heart Muscle . References E.K Song at el. Vitamin C Deficiency, High-Sensitivity C – reactive protein and Cardiac Event-Free Survival in Patients with Heart Failure. Abstract 14667. Session Title: Issues in Heart Failure Management. American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2011. Free Radic Biol Med. 1995 Jul;19(1):45-52. J Nutr Biochem. 2003 Sep;14(9):513–21. Altern Med Rev. 2001 Jun;6(3):248-71. J Nutr. 2010 Mar;140(3):587-94. Obes Surg. 2007 Mar;17(3):341-7. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2010 Dec;20(6):843-52. Behav Brain Res. 2004 Aug 12;153(1):181-8.

Continue reading here:
Why Heart Failure Patients Need Vitamin C

Next Page »