|
15. Prevent Illness with a Vitamin Regimen
Some studies
point to an increase in certain vitamins and minerals as helpful for
boosting the body’s ability to heal certain maladies. An extra boost of
vitamin C (500 to 1,000 milligrams per day) and a few zinc lozenges may
help to shorten the length and lessen the severity of a cold. Extra
calcium has been shown to lessen the severity of PMS symptoms in women.
Some studies suggest that vitamins C and E as well as other antioxidants
can protect against certain cancers and heart disease. The chart on
pages 81–82 shows what vitamins are found in abundance in which foods,
so you can target your stress with a nutrient attack. 16. Experience the Power of Herbs
Many people take herbal remedies,
from the popular echinacea for colds to more complex preparations for
every imaginable ailment. A good herbalist can help you treat your
health problems naturally and can be an excellent complement to
conventional medicine.
Herbal remedies can be infused into
water for teas, decoctions, and infusions; syrup, to make herbs more
palatable; alcohol for tinctures; oil, to rub into skin; they can be
mixed with cream, for external application; they can be formed into
tablets or put inside capsules for easy swallowing; or they can even be
put into the bath.
| Vitamin/Mineral | What It Does | Where to Find It | | A | Promotes good vision, aids in bone growth, aids in proper cell division, may help prevent certain cancers | Liver, eggs, milk, orange and green vegetables, fortified cereal | | B1 | Maintains nervous system, may protect against heart disease, helps anemia | Pork, milk, eggs, whole-grains | | B2 | Aids metabolism, aids vision, protects against stress, promotes healthy skin | Milk, eggs, fortified bread and cereal, leafy vegetables | | B3 | Promotes a healthy nervous system, may lower cholesterol, reduces blood pressure | Meat, fish, eggs, whole-grain cereals | | B5 | Aids energy production, promotes healing, protects against stress, governs metabolism of fat | Eggs, yeast, brown rice, whole-grain cereals, organ meats | | B6 | Boosts immune system, may protect against certain cancers, relieves PMS and menopausal symptoms | Fish, meat, milk, wholegrain cereals, vegetables | | B9(folic acid) | Prevents certain birth defects, may protect against heart disease, may protect against certain cancers | Leafy greens, wheat germ, eggs, bananas, nuts, oranges | | B12 | Maintains nervous system, boosts memory, increases energy and healthy growth, may protect against certain cancers | Pork, beef, liver, fish, eggs, milk | | C | Boosts immune system, may protect against certain cancers, speeds wound healing | Citrus fruits, leafy greens, broccoli, most fresh fruits and vegetables | | D | Aids in calcium absorption, may prevent certain cancers and osteoporosis | Fortified milk, fatty fish, sunlight | | E | Protects against cell damage from free radicals, may help protect against certain cancers and cardiovascular disease | Vegetable oils, nuts, leafy greens, wheat germ, mangos | | Calcium | Strengthens and maintains bones, helps prevent osteoporosis and arthritis, helps prevent muscle cramps | Milk, cheese, leafy greens, tofu, salmon, eggs | | Iron | Increases energy, boosts the immune system, prevents iron deficiency anemia | Shellfish, wheat bran, brewer’s yeast | | Selenium | Keeps skin and hair healthy, boosts immune system, keeps eyes healthy, improves liver, may protect against certain cancers | Tuna fish, wheat germ, bran, onions, tomatoes, broccoli | | Zinc | Boosts the immune system, may protect against certain cancers, helps prevent and treat the common cold | mushrooms, oysters, meat, whole grains, eggs |
17. Where to Find Herbs
Although you can buy many herbs at
your local pharmacy or even at the grocery store, herbs aren’t FDA
regulated, so your best bet is to go to an accredited herbalist with a
good reputation. Herbalists know about the side effects of different
herbs and also how they interact with other medications. While many
prescription medications are made from or derived from herbs, herbalists
use herbal prescriptions to treat the whole person, not just an
isolated condition. 18. Get Educated about Homeopathy
Homeopathy is
a holistic healing therapy that works on the principle that like cures
like. Herbs and other natural substances that cause certain symptoms in a
healthy person are diluted and shaken again and again, resulting in an
extremely dilute remedy that supports and encourages the body’s own
healing efforts. Homeopathy is based on a few basic principles: that
symptoms of disease are a sign that the body is healing itself, so
symptoms shouldn’t be suppressed; that a substance that causes symptoms
such as those of a particular disease will, in minute amounts, negate
the effects of the disease; and that symptoms will clear up in the
opposite order from how they appeared.
19. Try a Safe Alternative
Homeopathy is
an exceptionally safe way to deal with health imbalances, although it
typically works more slowly than conventional medicine. Many people
prefer it because it is less invasive, has fewer side effects, and is
more holistic than conventional medicine. Homeopathic remedies are
effective for physical ailments such as colds, chronic problems such as
arthritis or allergies, and emotional problems such as anxiety or
depression. Plus, homeopathic remedies, which can be made with
everything from herbs and berries to roots to minerals such as gold and
oyster shells to whole honeybees dissolved in alcohol and diluted, are
typically far less expensive than prescription medications because they
contain such minute amounts of the actual substance on which the remedy
is based.
|
