When you’re sick with the flu, nasal congestion can make you feel miserable. Congested nasal passageways make it difficult to breath and can also contribute to facial pain in the jaw, cheekbones and along the bridge of your nose.

The key to dealing with nasal congestion isn’t to stop your body’s production of mucus completely, as mucus plays an important role in eliminating the flu virus from your body. Unfortunately, this is the goal of many over the counter cough syrups and decongestants, meaning that they not only do little to actually make you better, they can actually inhibit your body’s ability to recover! The nasal dryness that accompanies these products also makes many individuals prone to sinus infections, which is the last thing you need when you’re fighting off the flu.

Additional nasty side effects of these over the counter treatments include dizziness, nervousness, trouble sleeping and heart palpitations.

Natural Congestion Relief

Nasal irrigation using a neti pot is a natural method of relieving congestion. A neti pot is a small pot made of glass, plastic, metal or ceramic that resembles a genie’s lamp. The pot is used to rinse the nasal passageways with a saline solution for the purpose of thinning mucus, removing excess mucus and relieving nasal dryness. When a higher concentration of salt is use (hypertonic solution), the saline may also help reduce swollen nasal tissues so air can pass through more easily.

To use a neti pot, all you need is the pot and some salinated water. Many neti pots come with small packages of pre-measured saline solution, though regular table salt and water works just fine. If using regular table salt, however, just make sure the salt is non-iodized, as the added iodine can cause nasal irritation. Typically, the standard measurement is 1 teaspoon of salt to 16 ounces of distilled or previously boiled water. This concentration, known as an isotonic solution, has the same pH as your body and is ideal for clearing the nostrils and relieving dryness. If your congestion is thick, however, you may need to double the amount of salt to create a hypertonic solution for drawing out excess mucus.

Once you’ve mixed your saline solution in the neti pot using comfortably warm water, you’re ready to flush your sinuses. To do so, tilt your head at a 45 degree angle (over a sink, preferably) and place the spout of the neti pot into the highest nostril. Pour the water slowly into the nostril, allowing it to circulate through your nasal passageways and empty out the other side. Repeat the process on the other side and then blow your nose gently to eliminate excess moisture.

You may find the sensation of water in your nasal passageways slightly uncomfortable the first few times you use a neti pot, but most people accustom to it very quickly. Nasal irrigation isn’t painful, but will feel similar to getting water inside your nose when swimming, for example. The temperature of the water you use will play a large role in how comfortable the process is. For your highest comfort level, use water that is just slightly warmer than room temperature. Water that is too hot or too cold can cause discomfort when poured into your nostrils.

The flu, or influenza virus, is a potentially serious illness that affects the nose, throat and lungs. Symptoms of the flu may mimic a cold, but are often much more serious and may include a fever, chills and body aches.

Although there is no surefire way to ensure that you won’t ever catch the flu, there are some important steps you can take to lessen your chances. By far, the most important thing you can do to stay healthy is to make sure your immune system is as strong as possible. The better your immune system is at fighting off germs, the better able you’ll be to prevent the flu altogether.

6 Immune-Boosting Strategies

1. Vitamin C. Extensive research has shown Vitamin C to be effective in boosting the immune system. By taking at least 200 milligrams of Vitamin C each day, you’ll help your body increase production of disease-fighting white blood cells and antibodies. One such antibody is interferon, which plays a critical role in preventing disease-causing viruses from adhering to the outer surfaces of cells. To get the recommended 200 milligrams of Vitamin C each day, consume at least six servings of fruits and vegetables or take a supplement. If opting for supplementation, try to split up the dose over the course of a day to increase the vitamin’s absorption rate.
2. Vitamin E. Taking 100-400 milligrams of Vitamin E each day will help stimulate the production of natural “killer” cells – that is, those cells that find and destroy the flu virus in your body. To get this high dosage of Vitamin E, you will need to take a daily supplement. Healthy, active individuals can take a lower dosage of Vitamin E, while a higher dosage is recommended for those who smoke or are not physically active.
3. Fruits and Vegetables. In addition to helping you get the recommended amount of Vitamin C each day, consuming at least six servings of fruits and vegetables will increase the amount of beta carotene and bioflavonoids you consume – important nutrients for protecting the body’s cells and preventing viruses from attaching to cell walls.
4. Garlic. When garlic is crushed, it releases a compound called allicin which is beneficial for increasing the body’s white blood cells, boosting cell activity and increasing the efficiency of the body’s antibodies. To get the immune-boosting benefits of garlic, aim to consume a few cloves every week – either by adding them to pasta sauce, creating a cup of garlic tea or roasting them to spread on crackers or bread.
5. Exercise. Multiple studies have found moderate amounts of exercise to be extremely beneficial in boosting the body’s immune function. What’s interesting however is that immune function has actually been shown to decrease with high intensity exercise – making you more prone to viral infections. This means that you may want to opt for a lower intensity exercise regimen during the cold and flu season when the chance of contracting the virus is highest.
6. Meditation. You probably know that a regular meditation practice will help reduce stress. But did you also know that it has been shown to increase flu-fighting antibodies, as well? This increase in immune function is thought to be related to the increase in frontal brain function that occurs during meditation.

Each year, approximately 5 to 20 percent of the worldwide population contracts influenza – a potentially serious virus that causes fever, chills, sore throat, coughing, congestion and muscle aches. In most individuals, the disease causes mild to severe discomfort for about a week, while in others, the disease can cause hospitalization or even death.

The flu virus is an airborne illness that is spread from person to person through sneezing, coughing or talking. Infected individuals are contagious for approximately 8 days, beginning one day before their symptoms begin and lasting an additional 5 to 7 days.

Although it’s not always possible to prevent the flu, there are lifestyle habits you can adopt that will lessen your chances of contracting the illness. By following the tips outlined below, you’ll not only help to keep yourself healthy, but you’ll help keep others healthy, as well. In fact, if everyone adopted the following habits, we’d be able to lessen the instances of the flu dramatically.

7 Tips to Prevent the Flu

Tip #1: Cover Your Nose and Mouth. When sneezing or coughing, make sure to cover your mouth to prevent the transmission of germs into the air. If possible, use a clean tissue to “catch” your cough or sneeze. If a tissue isn’t available, sneeze or cough directly into the crook of your arm.

Tip #2: Wash Your Hands.  Washing your hands with soap and hot water is one of the best things you can do to keep yourself healthy. Make it a point to wash hands after using a public restroom, shaking hands or touching public surfaces such as handrails, shopping carts and doorknobs. When you’re unable to wash, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to kill germs on contact. Keep in mind…the flu virus can live on surfaces for hours –even weeks! This means that disease-causing germs may be lurking anywhere.

Tip #3: Keep Your Hands Away From Your Face. When a virus enters your body, it enters through one of three points: your mouth, nose or eyes. To make sure you don’t “infect yourself” by inviting germs into your body, keep your hands away from your face as much as possible. If you need to touch your face, make sure you wash your hands first.

Tip #4: Avoid Contact with Sick People. Although this is easier said than done, the less time you spend around sick people, the less likely you’ll be to get sick yourself. Help protect yourself by avoiding crowded areas, carrying hand sanitizer with you and avoiding direct contact with people you don’t know – especially during flu season.

Tip #5: Disinfect Frequently. As mentioned above, the flu virus can live for hours on surfaces – even weeks if the conditions are right. You can limit your exposure to disease-causing pathogens by disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces regularly. Surfaces that harbor germs include desks, keyboards, computer mice, telephones, countertops and doorknobs.

Tip #6: Stay Healthy. Even if the flu virus makes its way into your body, you’ll have a better chance of fighting it off if your immune system is strong. Make sure your immune system is at its best by eating a diet full of disease-fighting fruits and vegetables, getting plenty of sleep and exercising regularly.  The healthier you are, the less likely you are to get sick.

Tip #7: Don’t Smoke. In addition to being an addictive, unhealthy habit that poses multiple health risks, smoking can also make you more susceptible to contracting diseases. The reason for this is because inhaling smoke into your body makes structural changes to your respiratory tract that increases your risk of developing infections.

Every year, millions of people get a seasonal flu vaccine to protect themselves against the potentially life-threatening influenza virus. And while these vaccines do offer some protection, they are not 100 percent effective or safe. The fact is that the seasonal influenza vaccine only offers protection against the three most common strains of the flu virus – not against them all. Additionally, those who opt for the flu vaccine do so at the risk of developing negative side effects such as headache, fever, muscle aches and pain at the injection site.

Rather than take your chances with this often unsuccessful vaccine, why not opt for a safer, more natural remedy? Elderberry syrup, also referred to as Sambucus Nigra, is a well-known herbal remedy that has been clinically proven to both prevent the flu and significantly reduce the duration of the illness. In addition to being a “time-tested” remedy for the flu, multiple studies have proven its safety and effectiveness in adults and children.

Proven Effectiveness

In 1992, Israeli researchers tested the effectiveness of elderberry syrup on a group of flu patients in a hospital setting. Half of the patients were given elderberry syrup upon the onset of their symptoms, while the remaining patients were given a placebo. Among the group of patients who took the elderberry syrup, 20 percent noticed a significant improvement in their symptoms within the first 24 hours. That number increased dramatically over the next few days, with 75 percent of patients reporting a significant improvement in symptoms after 48 hours and 90 percent of patients reporting significant improvements within 72 hours! For those on the placebo, it took a full six days before 90 percent of patients were feeling better. Of that group, only 8 percent showed any signs of improvement within the first day.

A similar study was conducted in Oslo, Norway during the 1999-2000 winter season with similar results. In this study, patients who took 15 ml of elderberry syrup 4 times a day for 5 days recovered an average of 4 days sooner than those who took a placebo.

How it Works

There are several reasons why elderberry syrup is an effective treatment for the influenza virus. First, it activates the immune system and makes it more difficult for viruses to overwhelm the body. Secondly, it inhibits the flu virus from attaching to cell walls by disarming the hemagglutinin “spikes” it uses to latch onto the cells. It also inhibits the virus’ enzyme, neuraminidase, which it uses to break down the cell wall.

Where to Find Elderberry Syrup

You can purchase commercial varieties of elderberry syrup in natural food stores and in some pharmacies. Formulas are available for both adults and children.

Alternatively, you can easily make elderberry syrup at home with dried or fresh elderberries. This is a much more cost-effective way to obtain elderberry syrup, as it is very inexpensive to make and requires only a few basic ingredients. Formulas vary depending on where you find your recipe, but generally include distilled water, ginger root, ground cinnamon, ground cloves and raw honey. If you’re making the formula for children under the age of 2 years old, make sure you omit the honey, as it can cause botulism.

Fresh elderberry syrup can be stored in a clean glass jar and stored in the refrigerator for up to two months.

Dosage Requirements

To take elderberry syrup as a preventative measure, adults should take 1 tablespoon daily. When ill, increase the dosage to 1 tablespoon, taken 4 times a day, for up to 5 days.

Children may take 1 teaspoon of elderberry syrup a day as a preventative measure. When sick, increase the dosage to 1 teaspoon, taken 4 times a day for up to 5 days.

Contraindications

Although elderberry syrup is considered safe for most people, you should avoid it if you have an autoimmune disease such as muscular sclerosis, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. An effect of elderberry syrup is that it stimulates the immune system, which may enhance the symptoms of individuals with these diseases.

White teeth are synonymous with having a nice smile. It is believed that people who have a nice smile radiate warmth that attracts other people to them. White teeth are, therefore, imperative to make a positive first impression.

While all those conventional methods of using whitening toothpastes, trays and bleaching agents can get you there, they have their menacing side effects, resulting in tooth sensitivity and pain. For those who discourage the use of chemicals and wish to stay clear of them, there are techniques that can help you get that nice smile naturally.

Nothing fancy, the following simple tips are an effort at achieving beauty without compromising on health. So the Do’s and Don’ts of having a nice smile naturally in an effective manner are as follows.

Do’s: HOW TO HAVE A NICE SMILE NATURALLY

Eat Crunchy Fruits And Vegetables

Crispy fruits and vegetables are like nature’s toothbrush. Not only they have the abrasiveness to lift stains, they are very healthy to eat as well. They help your teeth appear whiter. Those who have been found the most useful in this regard are apples, pears, carrots, celery etc.

Flossing Favors

Do your teeth a little favor by flossing them. People underestimate how devastating stains in between the teeth can look. Through flossing you get rid of so many stains that your teeth look whiter, thus giving you the desired smile naturally. It is because of this reason that dentists recommend brushing twice on top of flossing.

Say Cheese

Saying the word does not only get you that picture-perfect smile, but eating a small quantity of it after every meal can help you prevent tooth decay. In addition, it also promotes enamel re-mineralization. Milk can also help as both milk and cheese contain calcium and phosphorus, promising to keep your teeth cavity-free.

DON’Ts : HOW TO HAVE A NICE SMILE NATURALLY

Skip Soda

Baking soda does have all those properties to remove surface stains but believing that it can help whiten your teeth is nothing but a myth. It may make your teeth appear whiter for some time but in the long run, not only is it too abrasive on teeth, it can damage the enamel as well so it is far better to stick to whitening toothpastes.

Leave Lemons And Avoid Vinegar

No matter how many people use it, the disturbing truth is that lemons and vinegar damage your enamel and one should not compromise on the health of teeth just for the sake of making them white.

Following these few simple tips, you can be well on your way to have that nice smile naturally.

So the time is here again when you are sitting on your couch, numb, with tears running down your face and bloodshot eyes while you ache inside. Wait a minute, it is not about a break up. It is the common cold.

When remedies are suggested for getting rid of cold, everyone comes up with hundreds of ideas. Sadly, out of the huge assortment, there are only a few that will yield any results. It is, therefore, vital that to fight off the virus, you give your body what it actually needs instead of experimenting with medicines and tips that provide no benefits.

is actually a condition of the body when it feels abused from the pain and weak Cold ness. Without going into the detail of how one catches a cold, what you can do to help your body revitalize itself by activating its healing powers is what we are concerned with.

The following can be your chance at giving your body all it takes to get rid of a cold. All these essentials are as follows:

Vitamin C: You Elixir for Cold

Cold is more or less an attack on your immune system. What can easily help you get rid of cold or flu is Vitamin C. Increase your intake of food that is rich in vitamin C, as it helps you combat the cold by boosting your immune system. Keep a consistently high dose of Vitamin C as long as the condition persists.

You Are What You Eat

If you want to dodge a cold and get in good health real soon, you have to keep an eye on what you eat. Nutritious meals that are rich in fiber and keep things easy on your stomach are what you should opt for. Cold juices, warm tea, lots of fruits and veggies not only help you regain your energy but will boost your immunity against the virus as well.

Lots of Rest

If you have tried everything else and nothing is working, sleep your way to health. Even when healthy, you should get at least eight hours of sleep each night. With proper rest, you will find it very easy to get rid of a cold.

Relieve Your Stress

Some may find it hard to believe but the truth is that stress is often the trigger behind many ailments. Relieve your stress and free your mind from all disturbing thoughts. Scare away the haunting problems. Enjoy your time off from work and relax.

Everyone wants to get rid of a cold. With symptoms like stuffy or runny nose, headache, teary eyes and body pain, if not lethal, a cold can really be quite annoying. Lasting for a week or two, the common cold makes one feel as if all energy has been drained out. This is why one feels lethargic while suffering from it.

The irony of the situation is that there is no vaccine to protect against cold. This is because there are countless viruses that lead you to this condition. There are ways, however, through which you can easily fend it off.

Although a cold cannot be completely remedied through medicines, there are a few things you can do to shorten it. Having stated that, some steps that can help you get rid of a cold really fast, and are believed to be most effective ones in this regard, have been outlined below:

Zinc Can Work Wonders

Cold causing bacteria replicate themselves at an alarming rate. Zinc supplements have been found to be really effective with cold. The way Zinc works is still a debatable issue among physicians but it effectively shortens the duration of the cold by treating symptoms.

Keep Yourself Hydrated

Drink as much fluids as possible. When experiencing cold, dehydration is all you need to further worsen the condition. Moreover, it can also lead to fever and can increase the production of mucus too. Water, juice and warm tea can be a big help.

Eat Right

While this may seem insignificant, eating right is imperative when it comes to getting rid of a cold. Since your body is already suffering, oily or fatty food will make things difficult on your system. Eat food that is healthy. Eat greens, salads and soups as intake of these will be extremely wholesome and nourishing.

Rest Is A Must

Your body needs rest to retain the strength to get rid of a cold and fight the virus. A very common reason that prolongs a cold is that people do not get proper rest and by the time they plop down to have a break from their chores, their condition is worse than before.

Decongestant Sprays Can Help

Use decongestant sprays. Not only they help you breath easily, all your irritation resulting from the irregular breathing will also subside.

In a nutshell, these are some tips that can help you get rid of a cold in no time at all.

There are always pros and cons to any diet, and there is no exception with the Atkins diet. We know that the Atkins diet has many benefits, including being able to lose weight rapidly, but before we can make a decision as to whether we want to follow this diet we should also take a look at the cons. In this article we will take a look at both pros and cons so the reader can determine whether the Atkins diet is an appropriate solution for weight loss.

Pros

The Atkins diet achieves its weight loss by cutting back on bad carbohydrates. By reducing bad carbohydrates the body starts to burn the stored fat. In first phase of the diet not just bad carbohydrates, but all carbohydrates are removed from your diet. After the first phase of the Atkins diet some carbohydrates are introduced gradually back into the diet until a particular level is reached, then the maintenance phase begins.

Another benefit of the Atkins diet is that it may prevent type II diabetes and other diseases. The high fat and high-protein diet found in the Atkins diet can help to stabilize the insulin and blood sugar levels within the body. Individuals that are pre-diabetic may be able to avoid this disease by losing weight with the help of the Atkins diet. Another great benefit of the Atkins diet is that you will feel better, look better, and you will have better self-esteem. Also, individuals that suffer from bloating , or who have acid reflux often find that their symptoms disappear once they start on this diet.

Cons

Although the Atkins diet does have many good benefits, there are also some things that one has to watch out for. Some people have noted that the Atkins diet may affect the functioning of the kidneys. Apparently some dieters have experienced higher creatinine levels, and this can lead to malfunctioning kidneys. Another risk with the Atkins diet is the apparent loss of calcium, this is also known as osteoporosis. This may lead to brittle bones that easily break.

A very popular complaint regarding the Atkins diet is constipation. This is due to the lack of fiber in the Atkins diet. To avoid this problem the dieter should take fiber supplements. The Atkins diet can be a very effective way to lose weight. Just make sure you’re aware of all the pros and cons associated with the diet before making your decision to try it.

The food combining diet is a simple way for your body to be able to increase the absorption of the minerals and vitamins that are found in the food that we eat. The food combining diet helps us feel rejuvenated and energized. By combining certain food, the body can properly digest the food and take full advantage of all of the food’s vitamins and minerals.

It is commonly believed that the stomach can digest all of the food eaten at the same time with the same efficiency. But, the truth is far from that, and the food combining diet aids the body with that exact issue. The main idea before behind the food combining diet is that the digestive juices of the stomach are available at different times with different volumes. Food combining diet theorizes that for the body to receive full benefits the right food should be eaten at the right time. Also, by combining food that are not similarly digested the body will not derive full benefits.

By being able to combine the proper food one can help maintain the body healthy. In the food combining diet, carbohydrates are not to be combined with food that are acidic. Also, sour food may not be combined with carbohydrates. In addition, combining carbohydrates and proteins is also not a good idea. Similarly, combining fats and proteins are not a good combination for the stomach either. One food that should be eaten alone is melons, and that’s because the body is able to decompose it very quickly, thus it should not be combined with anything else.

The food combining diet allows an individual to mix compatible food to gain the maximum benefit. There are certain food combining rules that should be kept in mind if you desire to keep a healthy body. Those rules include: not eating carbohydrates and proteins in the same meal, not eating more than two types of carbohydrates in the same meal, and likewise not eating more than two types of proteins in the same meal. In addition, animal proteins should not be eaten more than three times a week, if at all. Also, you should eat your fruits alone, and stop drinking liquids with your meals. It also helps to drink 8 ounces of water 30 minutes prior to meals.

By applying the food combining diet you will not only be aiding your body with the digestive process, but you will also be improving your health. And, since your body is able to use the nutrients completely in the food you’ll always have lots of energy.

The Atkins diet has many varieties of food, and many people are surprised as to how many foods are allowed with this type of diet. You still have to be careful in checking the carbohydrate content of different foods, but you can quickly learn how easy a low-carb diet can be. The main idea behind the Atkins diet is that by switching to a low-carb diet you change the body’s metabolism to work more efficiently by burning fat that is stored.

This process of change the metabolism begins during the induction phase that is when you start changing eating habits. At this point of the diet you are only allowed 20 g of net carbohydrates each day. The induction phase only last for 14 days. Afterwards you can increase your daily net carbohydrate intake gradually. You begin with 25 grams per day then the following week you may increase it to 30 grams, and so on.

As you’re raising your carbohydrate intake, pay close attention to how much weight you continue to lose until you find a level where the weight loss stops or significantly slows down. Once you achieve your goal weight, you can then move to the maintenance phases of the Atkins diet. At that point your low-carb eating habits become part of your everyday life.

The low-carb foods that are considered Atkins diet friendly are generally poultry, meats, fish, eggs, leafy green vegetables, and good oils. These foods are the ones that form your basic food choices. There also dairy products, and some cheeses that are allowed, but not in large quantities.

Also, remember that a food that is high in carbohydrates is not necessarily a bad thing. If you also take into consideration its fiber content, then it may be allowed. As part of the Atkins diet you have to keep in mind the net carbs, not just total carbohydrates. The net carbs are determined by taking the carbohydrate totals and subtracting the fiber amounts to yield a net carb total. There are pocket calculators that are carb counters that can help you to arrive at the net carb counts.

Finding the right low-carb foods for the Atkins diet is very easy. You can easily choose the foods by looking at the label on the box to determine the net carbs. There are also many recipes and cookbooks available that are filled with nutritious and tasty meals that follow the Atkins diet. All that you really need to do is mix and match each day a week with a variety of meals that appear in your recipe book.