Nervous to Travel? Tips to Steady Your Nerves and Stomach when traveling

Do you feel nauseous or dizzy when traveling? This occurs when motion causes the eyes, sensory nerves and part of the ears to send conflicting signals to the brain. Luckily, the physical effects of motion sickness may be prevented or minimized if you take supplements beforehand. Here are some of these to help calm your stomach and steady your nerves:

Charcoal Tablets

Take two to three capsules an hour before departure to soak up acids that may cause stomach upset. Be sure to take them separately from other medications and supplements.

Ginger

One gram of ginger is very effective at soothing the stomach.

Magnesium

Your body uses more magnesium during times of stress. Take 500 mg to steady the nerves.

Peppermint

Peppermint calms a nervous stomach. Putting a drop of peppermint oil on the tongue or eating a peppermint candy may also have a similar effect.

Vitamin B-6

Vitamin B-6 can help calm and soothe your stomach and nerves.

Homeopathic Formula

Dissolve 2-3 tablets by mouth every four hours as needed for a homeopathic solution for nausea, dizziness and other symptoms associated with motion sickness.

However, if you do not have any supplements on hand and you start to feel nauseous when traveling, you may try the following:

• Get fresh air as quickly as possible. Roll down the window in the car or open the overhead air vent on a plane.


• Sit still and breathe deeply for one minute. Lie down and close your eyes if possible.


• Massage the underside of the ring finger from the tip of the finger to the second knuckle.


• Suck on a lemon or lime whenever queasiness strikes.


• Snack on whole grain crackers to soak up stomach acid, and drink sugar free, carbonated sodas. Avoid dairy and sugary, salty and fried foods during the trip, since they may cause digestive disturbances.

Cranberries: Tiny nutrient-packed berries with Tons of benefits

The cranberries belong to the same genus, Vaccinium, as the blueberries. Like blueberries, cranberries can still be found growing as wild shrubs in northern Europe, northern Asia, and North America.

Cranberries can help prevent and treat urinary tract infections, promote gastrointestinal and oral health, lower LDL and raise HDL (good) cholesterol, aid in recovery from stroke and even help prevent cancer.

The ability of cranberries to help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) is due to the unusual nature of their proanthocyanidins (PACs) that is related to prevention of UTIs. The special structure of these PACs acts as a barrier to bacteria that might otherwise latch on to the urinary tract lining. By making it more difficult for unwanted bacteria like E. coli to cling onto the urinary tract linings, cranberry's PACs help prevent the expansion of bacterial populations that can result in outright infection.

In much the same way, they also help prevent attachment of bacteria to the stomach lining (decreased adherence of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori to the stomach lining) and protect us from stomach ulcer. For the cardiovascular system and for many parts of the digestive tract (including the mouth and gums, stomach, and colon), cranberries can provide anti-inflammatory benefits. It is the phytonutrients in cranberries that are especially effective in lowering the risk of inflammation. 

Meanwhile, as chronic excessive oxidative stress (from lack of sufficient antioxidant support) and chronic excessive inflammation (from lack of sufficient anti-inflammatory compounds) are two key risk factors promoting increased likelihood of cancer, since cranberries are loaded with unique array of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients, they have cancer-preventive benefits. These are especially likely in the case of breast, colon, lung and prostate cancer. 

In addition, intake of cranberries also improves multiple aspects of immune function and to lower the frequency of cold and flu symptoms.

Recent research has also shown that cranberries may help optimize the balance of bacteria in our digestive tract: increasing the numbers of Bifidobacteria (considered to be a desirable and "friendly" type of bacteria) in the digestive tract. As a result, the bacterial environment of the digestive tract becomes more favorable. 

However, the phytonutrients in cranberries provide maximal antioxidant benefits only when consumed in combination with each other and also only when consumed alongside of conventional antioxidant nutrients present in cranberries like manganese and vitamin C. When cranberry processing disrupts this antioxidant combination, health benefits from cranberry decrease. It is the overall blend of cranberry antioxidants that provides synergy with the strongest health benefits. Thus we need to eat cranberries in whole and in food form. 

Many cranberries are water-harvested. The anthocyanin content of cranberries (the phytonutrients that give the berries their amazing red color) increases in direct proportion to the amount of natural sunlight striking the berries. If berries floating on top of water get exposed to increased amounts of natural sunlight, they are likely to develop greater concentrations of anthocyanins. These greater concentrations of anthocyanins are likely to provide us with stronger health benefits.  

 

   

 

 

3 Superfoods for Weight Loss

Chia seeds are rich in dietary fiber, omega 3, protein, antioxidants, vitamins as well as minerals. For the vegetarians, the intake of them can achieve a balanced diet while for the obese patients, this is a super food for weight loss.

Because of high fiber content and swelling property after absorbing water, chia seeds reduce our desire for eating sweets. As they can increase our satiety thereby reducing the intake of starch and sugar, our calorie intake would be less. This has a significant slimming effect. Besides, they promote intestinal peristalsis and remove toxins from our body. 

Quinoa is rich in carbohydrates, protein and dietary fiber. When we eat the same amount of quinoa as that of rice, we would feel more satiated. Hence, calorie intake is also less. This would help reduce excessive eating or eating snacks after meals.

Quinoa also contains a variety of minerals (such as manganese, magnesium, iron, zinc and calcium) and vitamin B. At the same time, the protein it contains can provide our body’s essential amino acids. In this regard, quinoa not only helps digestion and absorption, but also helps us avoid insufficient nutrients when on diet. It is the best source of plant protein.

Okra is an all-around nutritious vegetable because of its rich in protein, antioxidants, vitamins A, B, C, K, folic acid, as well as minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese and iron. In addition, it is high in fiber. It helps digestion, prolongs our feeling of  satiety. And so it is suitable as a snack food.

Moreover, the mucus content of okra contains a lot of water-soluble fiber and pectin. This not only forms a protective layer in the stomach, but also slows down the absorption of sugar and inhibit the decomposition of sugar enzymes. It helps promote intestinal peristalsis and relieve constipation.

Because it contains potassium, it helps relieve swelling caused by edema (the buildup of fluid outside the circulatory system). This is because being overweight can cause edema.

Skin tag - A common skin growth

A skin tag is a small (benign) tag of skin which may have a peduncle (stalk). Also known as an acrochordon, cutaneous papilloma, cutaneous tag, fibroepithelial polyp, fibroma molluscum, fibroma pendulum and soft fibroma, the surface of which may be smooth or irregular in appearance. They are usually flesh-colored or slightly brownish. Initially they are quite small, flattened like a pinhead bump. Skin tags can range in diameter from 2 mm to 1 cm; some may even reach 5 cm.

Skin tags affect people of all genders equally, but are more likely to occur in people who are pregnant and/or who have diabetes and have been associated with hyperinsulinaemia. Obesity and diabetes may increase the risk of skin tags developing.

According to the NIH (National Institutes of Health), USA, approximately 46% of people have skin tags. Around 59% of people have skin tags by the time they are 70 years old. 

Skin tags can appear on any part of the surface of the body, A person may have anywhere from one to hundreds of skin tags. They mostly occur in areas where skin may rub against skin or clothing, such as:

• Eyelids
• Axillae (armpits)
• Under the breasts
• Groin
• Upper chest
• Neck (papilloma colli)

Skin tags are very common and generally occur after midlife. They are said to be caused by bunches of collagen and blood vessels which are trapped inside thicker bits of skin. They are the result of skin rubbing against skin. That is why they are generally found in skin creases and folds.

Most doctors recommend the removal of skin tags only when they are irritated or a source of discomfort, or if they constitute a cosmetic problem. Skin tags can be easily removed by tying or cutting them after injecting a small amount of a local anesthetic done by a doctor. Freezing, a technique sometimes used to remove warts or other benign lesions of the skin, is also sometimes performed for the removal of skin tags.