NATURAL WAYS TO RELIEVE HEARTBURN (ACID REFLUX) III

Today's post will list two ways to naturally find relief from occasional heartburn. Remember if heartburn continues in a prolong manner, see your doctor. It could be the sign of a different problem that your doctor should treat.

• Chamomile Tea: Sometimes we only think of chamomile tea as a sleep-inducer, but it also acts as a stomach soother. Research from the journal Nutrients found that this tea has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce gastrointestinal discomfort from heartburn. It is suggested you drink a cup after meals or at bedtime for relief.
• Fenugreek: If you are not familiar with this one, it is an herb used in ancient Chinese medicine. It many cases it can ease heartburn as well as medication. Again. we rely on research in the journal Nutrients which found that the plant-fiber supplement forms a protective layer over the stomach and esophagus when taken 30 minutes before meals.

If you suffer from occasional heartburn, you might want to give one of the relief methods listed over the past few days.

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NATURAL WAYS TO RELIEVE HEARTBURN (ACID REFLUX) II

Continuing the posts on natural ways to relieve heartburn (acid reflux), today's post is a tasty one. Snack on bananas. Bananas offer multiple heartburn-busting benefits. Scientists have found that bananas ease reflux symptoms quickly by neutralizing stomach acid. Bananas are also rich in pectin, a type of soluble fiber that helps keep food moving through the digestive tract, preventing stomach acid from building up. 

If you have a problem occasionally with acid reflux, better known as heartburn, you may want to keep some bananas on hand. And as always, if the problem persists, see your doctor.

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NATURAL WAYS TO RELIEVE HEARTBURN (ADIC REFLUX)

 Following up on our last post about acid reflux, here is a quick and easy way to relieve heartburn:

• Massage your inner wrist. Studies show that stimulating acupressure points can relieve acid reflux symptoms by up to 40%. When you apply pressure to the point in the center of the underside of your wrist, you will help stop the esophageal sphincter from relaxing too much. Thid keeps stomach acid from rising up. How to do this? Press your thumb on the spot between the two tendons in your wrist and move it in circles for 2 to 3 minutes.

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Tomorrow we will share another relief idea. REMEMBER, IF ACID REFLUX CONTINUES, SEE YOUR DOCTOR.

ACID REFLUX TIP

If you suffer with acid reflux, the experts at John Hopkins University have a simple way to pinpoint the problem. They suggest that every time you experience acid reflux, you should log what you ate into a journal. You may be able to find a or some food items that trigger the reflux. If so, you will know what foods to avoid.

There are many different foods that can cause acid reflux such as spicy foods, fried foods, and chocolate. Yes, even chocolate can be a trigger. 

If you have acid reflux often, you should see a doctor. Acid reflux happens when stomach acid rises through the esophagus into the throat. If this becomes a common thing for you, it can cause damage to the esophagus when left untreated.

There are ways to naturally treat occasional heartburn. I will list them in the next post.

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FOODS TO BOOST BONE HEALTH IV

This is the final post in this series on bone health. Prunes. Don.t snurl your nose, prunes really aren't that bad. For a while now, I have been eating 2 prunes a day to counteract a medicine I have to take. I have come to look forward to eating them! Actually, prunes are a bone-strengthening powerhouse. Prunes contain vitamin K, potassium and antioxidants that support bone strength, according to Dr. Raj Dasgupta., who says, "studies suggest prunes may slow bone loss in postmenopausal women."

Dr Jennifer Brown said, "It's a good idea to incorporate 50 grams, equivalent to five or six prunes, into your diet daily. She went on to say, "I would advise women to introduce them gradually to avoid unpleasant GI side effects," such as cramps, gas, or bloating.

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FOODS TO BOOST BONE HEALTH III

Continuing on with foods to boost bone health, today's is a little tastier, in my opinion. Today's post is about yogurt and bone health. Not only does yogurt supply calcium but also vitamin D and protein. According to Dr. Jennifer Brown, "A large observational study found that consuming yogurt regularly increases hip bone density and may be protective against hip fractures." Dr. Brown was citing promising research published in the journal Archives of Osteoporosis. 

Dr. Brown goes on to say, "Women at risk of osteoporosis should aim to consume one serving of yogurt daily, which is 6 ounces. I recommend Chobani plain Greek yogurt. It's full of calcium and protein but doesn't have added sugars or flavorings."

Below is a picture of Dr. Brown's choice.

FOODS TO BOOST BONE HEALTH II

Following up on yesterday's post about osteoporosis and foods that boost bone health, we come to canned sardines. If you are like me, you say, "No way." I do have osteoporosis and I do try to take good care of my bones, but I will be honest and admit I do not and will not eat sardines. Many people like them, obviously by the number I cans I see in grocery stores. My dad enjoyed them and ate them often, so to you who do eat them, way to go!

Honestly, sardines are one of the best foods for bone health. According to Jennifer Brown, M.D., "Canned sardines are an excellent choice for helping to prevent osteoporosis. Sardines are a good source of calcium, vitamin D, protein and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which are vital for optimal bone health. Vitamin D is especially essential because it helps the body absorb calcium more effectively."

Dr. Brown recommends women who want to incorporate sardines into their diet aim for two to three, 3-oince, servings a week. She finds that King Arthur Sardines in olive oil is a good option that's relatively low in sodium.

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SOME FOODS TO BOOST BONE HEALTH

"Osteoporosis is a chronic condition that causes bones to become weak and prone to breakage," Jennifer Brown M.D., a board-certified physician in family medicine and obesity medicine. Dr. Brown went on to say, "It usually occurs in postmenopausal women as estrogen levels decline." A diet rich in essential nutrients can help one avoid painful breaks. It is important to make sure you are getting calcium, magnesium and vitamin D in your diet.

One of the foods that should be in your diet includes LEAFY GREENS. Leafy greens (such as spinach, kale and collard greens) provide both calcium and magnesium. Calcium strengthens bones, while magnesium supports muscles and helps keep bones healthy. These greens are easy to add to meals and can help maintain bone strength naturally," says Raj Dasgupta, M.D.

Dr. Dasgupta recommends eating one to two cups of leafy greens daily. You can enjoy them cooked or raw. If you can't stand the thought of eating leafy greens, try adding a handful of baby spinach into a smoothie. You will get the benefits without even realizing the spinach is there.

Our next post will be about another food to help boost bone health.

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WAYS HOPE HEALS

Yes, you read the title to this post correctly, hope has healing powers! Following are three science-backed ways hope can heal:

1. Hope Boosts Immunity. According to Suzanne Segerstrom, Ph.D., immunology researcher, "Higher optimism is linked to reduced inflammation and better antibody responses." Research has shown that hopeful patients have stronger immune systems than do others. Therefore, positivity may help speed healing and recovery.
2. Hope Nixes Pain. A study in The Journal of Pain found that hopeful patients reported less postoperative pain. Tor Wager, Ph.D. has stated, "positive expectation activated pain-inhibiting brain networks." It is believed these networks may help accelerate rehabilitation. Personally, I believe this to be true based on my own experiences.
3. Hope Strengthens the Heart. Researchers have found that heart surgery patients with higher hope scores have fewer complications following surgery. Cardiologist Martha Gulati, M.D. explains it this way. "Hope triggers parasympathetic balance by lowering blood pressure and aiding healing.

Hope is not only good for the soul, but is also good for the body.

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CAN WALKING PREVENT BACK PAIN?

Back pain is a very common complaint. Would you believe that walking can help prevent back pain? A new study published in JAMA Network Open has found that those who spend more time walking daily were less likely to develop lower back problems than those walk very little. The findings indicated that while walking briskly did play a role, it was not as important as simply getting walking in daily.

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