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Tag: blood sugar regulation

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By user Uncategorized , ,

The Buzz on Natural Remedies: From Coughs to COPD Relief

As soon as I open any of my social media feeds, it’s like stepping into a virtual three-ring circus of health and wellness—strength training advice somersaulting next to herbal apothecary recipes tightrope walking across my screen. While it’s great to see so much interest in health, trying to sift through all the advice feels like searching for the last fried green tomato at a church potluck. 🤯 One topic that’s always intrigued me is natural herbal remedies for ailments, such as honey for coughs and elderberry for immunity—things our grandparents probably knew better than the back of their own hands, armed with castor oil and a whole lot of “bless your hearts.”

Last January 2024, my father-in-law ended up spending some time in the hospital when his COPD suddenly flared up. For anyone unfamiliar with COPD, it’s chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a common lung condition that makes you feel like you’re trying to breathe through a cocktail straw. Coughing, wheezing, and always feeling like you’re not getting enough air—it’s no picnic. I thought, “Why not see if there are any natural remedies for COPD?” Honestly, I didn’t expect to find much—maybe a vague suggestion to hug a tree or chant under the moon—but to my surprise, black seed oil kept popping up. And let me tell you, it’s not just some random health trend; this stuff has serious potential. Let’s dive into some nutraceuticals! 🌿

What Are Nutraceuticals?

Before we dive into the magic of black seed oil, let’s cover the basics. Nutraceuticals are foods or food-derived products that provide medical or health benefits, including disease prevention and treatment (Brower, 1998). Think of them as your pantry’s secret superheroes—honey for sore throats, turmeric for inflammation, or that one spice your grandma swears cures everything (It’s castor oil, isn’t it?). The beauty of nutraceuticals lies in their ability to blend ancient wisdom with modern science. It’s like your grandma’s remedies, but with a lab coat and a peer-reviewed study. 🥼

Black Seed Oil: The MVP of Natural Remedies

A Mike Tyson (or Paul Logan for you youngsters) in the nutraceutical world coming in with a heavy hit is black seed oil, derived from the seeds of Nigella sativa, a flowering plant native to Asia. If this oil were a person, it’d be the overachiever in every high school club—immune support? Check. Respiratory health? Double check. Winning prom king? Probably.

Benefits of Black Seed Oil

  1. Anti-inflammatory Properties:
    • Chronic inflammation is like the nosy neighbor of health issues—it shows up everywhere it’s not wanted, including COPD. Black seed oil’s thymoquinone compound is a natural anti-inflammatory powerhouse (Healthline).
  2. Respiratory Health:
    • Studies suggest that black seed oil can act as a bronchodilator, helping to relax airway muscles and improve airflow. For COPD patients, that’s like upgrading from a cocktail straw to a garden hose (Medical News Today). 🪴
  3. Immune Support:
    • A strong immune system is your body’s bouncer, keeping the bad guys out. Black seed oil’s antioxidants help fortify this defense system, which is crucial for people with chronic conditions (Ahmad et al., 2021).

Other Natural Remedies for Respiratory Health

While black seed oil is the star of the show, it’s not the only natural remedy worth considering. Here are a few honorable mentions:

  1. Honey:
    • Not just for sweetening your tea! Honey’s antimicrobial properties make it a fantastic remedy for soothing sore throats and reducing coughs (Oduwole et al., 2018). 🍯
  2. Elderberry:
    • Packed with antioxidants, elderberry is like the overprotective parent of your immune system. It’s great for boosting immunity and fighting off respiratory infections (Tiralongo et al., 2016). 🍇
  3. Eucalyptus:
    • The MVP of aromatherapy! Eucalyptus oil’s cineole compound can reduce inflammation and help with congestion, making it a favorite for asthma and bronchitis sufferers (Worth et al., 2009). 🌬️

The Science of Combining Remedies

Here’s where things get really fun: combining natural remedies for a synergistic effect. For example, pairing black seed oil with honey could create a one-two punch for respiratory health. It’s like putting Batman and Robin on the same case—more effective together than apart.

Staying Grounded in Science

As tempting as it is to believe every glowing social media reel, not all natural remedies are created equal. Some are backed by solid research, while others… not so much. This is why I love resources such as PubMed and other trusted medical websites. They help separate the wheat from the chaff—or in this case, the honey from the snake oil. 🐝 And remember, always consult a healthcare provider before trying new remedies.

A Personal Takeaway

My father-in-law’s COPD journey taught me a lot about resilience—both his and mine. (Though he might not admit it, I’m now his go-to for sneaking in snacks that aren’t “doctor approved.”) While I’m not claiming black seed oil is a miracle cure, its potential benefits are impressive. It’s a reminder that sometimes the solutions to our health problems aren’t hidden in some high-tech lab but growing in a garden or sitting on a pantry shelf. 🌱

Conclusion

Natural remedies such as black seed oil, honey, and elderberry, offer promising ways to improve respiratory health and overall well-being. While they’re no substitute for conventional treatments, they can complement them beautifully, providing a holistic approach to health. So, the next time your social media feed feels like a tidal wave of wellness advice, take a deep breath (or at least try to) and remember: credible information is out there—it’s just waiting for you to find it. 🧘‍♀️

by Susan Stamper

References

Ahmad, A., Husain, A., Mujeeb, M., Khan, S. A., Najmi, A. K., Siddique, N. A., … & Anwar, F. (2021). A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 11(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apjtb.2021.01.001

Healthline. (n.d.). Black seed oil: Benefits, uses, and side effects. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/black-seed-oil-benefits

Medical News Today. (n.d.). What are the benefits of black seed oil? Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322948

Oduwole, O., Udoh, E. E., Oyo-Ita, A., & Meremikwu, M. M. (2018). Honey for acute cough in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 4(CD007094). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007094.pub5

Tiralongo, E., Wee, S. S., & Lea, R. A. (2016). Elderberry supplementation reduces cold duration and symptoms in air-travelers: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Nutrients, 8(4), 182. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8040182

Worth, H., Schacher, C., & Dethlefsen, U. (2009). Concomitant therapy with cineole (eucalyptol) reduces exacerbations in COPD: A placebo-controlled study. Respiratory Research, 10(1), 69. https://doi.org/10.1186/1465-9921-10-69

By user Studies , , ,

Blood Sugar Regulation 101

If you’re one of the umpteen-zillion people who have at one point or another tried to shed some weight (don’t quote us on that number), you may have learned a couple of things:

  1. It can be very hard.
  2. It can be even harder to keep it off.

First, there’s more to being healthy than just losing weight, so make sure you have the right goals. Talk to your doctor and/or a nutritionist to help you make solid choices about the target you need to be aiming for in the first place.

Second, your mileage may vary when it comes to these tips. So many variables can come into play, including your age, genetics, activity level, and any pre-existing physical limitations and/or medical conditions.

Third, weight loss is an ever-evolving discussion among researchers and medical professionals. Some studies are contradictory to others, and it can be difficult to make informed decisions. (This is yet another reason to consult a professional to help you make those decisions.)

Regulate That Blood Sugar!

And now to the topic at hand: your blood sugar. Keeping an eye on blood sugar levels isn’t just for those who are diabetic. Stable blood sugar levels help to keep you more energized and feel less hungry—and less prone to the types of cravings that can lead to overeating.

Eating a diet that relies on complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats can help to regulate your blood sugar. (That’s right: “carbohydrate”—or just “carb” for short—is not a dirty word.)

That said, it’s important to distinguish between complex carbs and simple carbs. Fiber and starch are complex carbs; they’re digested more slowly and release glucose into your bloodstream at a more gradual rate. (This is the whole “stable blood sugar” thing we’re going for, remember?)

Simple carbs, on the other hand, are digested more quickly and tend to be the culprits behind the blood sugar spikes and drops we want to avoid. Those ups and downs lend themselves to insulin resistance, which can cause a whole host of problems, including weight gain, higher triglyceride levels, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), and hypertension (high blood pressure).

Simple carbs include table sugar, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, and fruit concentrates. Some occur naturally, but many are added to sweeten foods you buy off the shelf: sodas, sugary breakfast cereals, and baked goods, just to name a few. You may have heard it’s good to reduce your intake of highly processed foods; one of the reasons is that they’re often chock-full of simple carbs.

Embrace Complexity

So, at this point, you’re probably saying something like, “You’re right! I’m a complex person who deserves complex carbs!” (Okay, you’re probably not saying anything remotely like that, but it has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?)

We hear you. If you’re looking to include more complex carbohydrates in your diet, look for whole grains (such as quinoa and buckwheat), fiber-rich fruits (think apples, berries, and bananas), fiber-rich vegetables (include broccoli, kale, and carrots), beans, and lentils.

For a list of more foods—including complex carbohydrates— that can help to regulate your blood sugar, check out 17 Foods To Lower Your Blood Sugar.

by: Brett Hearn

Sources:

Cleveland Clinic: Insulin Resistance

Healthline: 17 Foods To Lower Your Blood Sugar 

Healthline: Simple Carbohydrates vs. Complex Carbohydrates

Women’s Health: Keeping Your Blood Sugar in Check Comes with a Bonus Prize: Weight Loss