More than half of elderly adults in the United States take a low dose aspirin on a daily basis. This is a good preventative medicine if you suffer from a vascular condition, but a recent study shows that taking a low dose aspirin won’t do much good at preventing a cardiovascular event.

More than 19,000 people were studied over 5 years as to the benefits of a daily low dose (81mg) aspirin to prevent strokes and heart attacks. The researchers found there was no benefit for otherwise healthy people. In fact, aspirin increased the risk of bleeding in the brain and digestive tract. The people who were studied were between the ages of 65-70 with no cardiovascular health issues. Half were given low dose aspirin while the other half were given a placebo. After the almost 5 years of follow up, the people in the aspirin group died at a higher rate from various causes compared to the placebo group. Although the majority of deaths were cancer related, the data was studied closely because aspirin has claimed to help prevent certain types such as colorectal cancer. This doesn’t mean that older people with no cardiovascular issues should stop taking aspirin. If you feel like you would benefit from a daily aspirin you should talk with your doctor. Life and risk factors such as diet, smoking, weight and body fat, blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes history will all be factored in to the decision whether low dose aspirin is a good fit for each person.

Before you jump on the daily aspirin bandwagon, make sure you are doing all you can naturally to improve your health. This includes eating a sensible diet, getting the correct amount of sleep, exercising on a daily basis and controlling stress in your life. Following these basic guidelines will keep you healthy, but sometimes we need to supplement our lives in order to live to the fullest.

Inflammation is caused by any number of reactions triggered by the immune system because of infection, injury or even the foods we eat.

Many health issues such as joint pain, heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s has inflammation as an underlying cause. If your having constant issues with inflammation, changing your diet may be one of the best remedies.

Most people today center their meals around convenience. This means eating what is easy and or cost effective. However, many of these types of foods are wreaking havoc on your body and mind.

Here are a few foods to steer clear of or at least eat in moderation.

1. White Bread.

This refined carb is a stable of many meals. It adds empty calories which leads to weight gain. Being overweight can lead to heart disease, high cholesterol and blood pressure issues. All of which trigger inflammation.

2. Sugar.

This poisonous substance is in almost every food or drink we consume. The worst is soda pop. Sugar causes inflammation which causes sugar cravings. This leads to a vicious unhealthy cycle.

3. Saturated fats.

This artery clogging fat is present in many comfort foods we consume on a daily basis. Anything from french fries to ice cream, salad dressings and the actual oil used to prepare these foods in.

While it appears that almost every thing that is tasty can cause some level of inflammation, eating in moderation will help control unhealthy issues. Incorporating 30 minutes of exercise daily will also help balance out the “bad” with the “good” habits you may have. Adding a supplemental health booster such as an Anti-Inflammatory transdermal skin patch can help your body feeling better and allow you to cheat every now and again. After all, who doesn’t enjoy a fresh batch of fries with their burger.

When many people get together with friends or co-workers, that time is spent enjoying a cold beer or cocktail. This could be for the big game, a dinner date or just to unwind after a long day. We all know how the alcohol affects us as it is being consumed. Most of us also realize that accomplishing certain tasks while under the influence is more difficult than when we are sober. The part most people don’t think about is how alcohol affects the brain after the “buzz” wears off.

The latest research was a combination of several studies that focused on the brain hours after a heavy night of drinking. As you can guess the findings showed attention, memory and other cognitive functions are suppressed even after a measurable amount of alcohol has left the body. The poor focus, lack of concentration, slowed reaction time and cloudy memory is all a result of the poisonous chemical alcohol. The CDC defines heavy drinking as 4 drinks for a woman and 5 for a man. Alcohol is a diuretic that causes the body to loose 4 times the amount of liquid drank. This leads to serious dehydration and a strain on the body. In order to compensate our organs take in as much fluid possible to function. Sadly, this leaves the brain fighting to stay hydrated. The result is shrinkage of the membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord. Within the fluid leaving our body is sodium, potassium, and magnesium. All of which are vital for cognitive function. This can leave the brain fighting to perform for hours or even days. Anyone who has consumed too much alcohol can attest to the “hangover” period that comes the following day. In the end, drinking large amounts of alcohol is bad for your body at the time of consumption and for hours to days after the fact.

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Have you heard about the variety of diatomaceous earth benefits? With all the ailments people must live with and all the natural and synthetic remedies said to help, it isn’t easy to figure out which substances have what effects. We’re here to help. Diatomaceous earth is one substance that has a number of different benefits. Let’s discuss the many food grade diatomaceous earth benefits.

What is diatomaceous earth?

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is colorless naturally-formed sand. It is found on the ocean floor as a chalky powder. Derived from microscopic fossilized unicellular algae (known as diatoms), DE is more than 30 million years old, and many claim that it has numerous health benefits.

There are two different kinds of diatomaceous earth: food grade and filter grade. Food grade diatomaceous earth is safe to consume, while filter grade diatomaceous earth benefits have industrial uses that are toxic to humans.

The diatoms in diatomaceous earth are made up of 80-90% silica, which is a chemical compound related to the element silicon (which is different from silicone). Silica has many uses, some of which are industrial and some of which may benefit humans.

Food grade versus filter grade diatomaceous earth

Silica comes in a crystalline form and a non-crystalline form (amorphous). The crystalline form is sharp and looks like glass under a microscope. These properties make it great for industrial use but dangerous in high levels for personal use.

Food grade diatomaceous earth contains 0.5–2% crystalline silica and is used as an anti-caking agent in various foods as well as an insecticide. Food grade diatomaceous earth is approved by the EPA, USDA, and FDA.

Filter grade diatomaceous earth is said to contain upwards of 60% crystalline silica and is toxic for mammals, including humans. Among its many industrial applications are water filtration and the production of dynamite.

What is diatomaceous earth used for?

The use of DE can be applied to cleansing applications, cosmetics, and agriculture. Many studies have been performed on DE proving its many uses.

Since DE is a natural abrasive, it has been used as a facial exfoliate and toothpaste. The abrasive properties come from the tiny particles and their sharp edges and holes. This is beneficial for clearing dead skin cells from the body.

Diatomaceous earth is also an excellent natural insecticide. The silica in diatomaceous earth removes an insect’s waxy outer coating, which causes any insect that comes in contact with it to basically die from dehydration. Diatomaceous earth may work similarly to kill internal parasites like worms in farm animals such as cattle and chickens.

DE is also a very good source of natural silica. Food grade DE is 85 percent silica. This is a very important element in the body required for cartilage, bones, tendons, and blood vessels. Silica is vital for all major organ health. Before modern farming ruined the soil, food was the main source of this health-boosting mineral.

Examples of products that may contain diatomaceous earth:

• Insecticides

• Toothpaste

• Skin care products

• Medicines

• Food

• Beverages

• Water filters

• Paint

Food grade diatomaceous earth benefits

Much research has shown that food grade DE has a positive effect on cholesterol levels and heart health. DE also has trace amounts of calcium, iron, and magnesium. All these nutrients are vital for overall muscle and bone health.

The non-oxidized version of silica is silicon, which is a naturally occurring mineral that is stored in the human body and appears to be crucial for the health and strength of bones, hair, nails, and skin. Silica is typically not well absorbed, but some researchers believe that silica can release small amounts of silicon, which your body can use.

One study has shown that diatomaceous earth may help reduce cholesterol. Reduced cholesterol can lead to improved heart health.

Diatomaceous earth may also help remove heavy metals, free radicals, and other toxins from the body.

Is diatomaceous earth safe?

Diatomaceous earth is safe to swallow. However, you must be cautious when handling it, because inhaling DE can cause scarring and inflammation of the lungs due to the sharp edges of the crystalline structure. This condition, called silicosis, caused around 46,000 deaths in 2013, mostly to people who were mining it.

While diatomaceous earth is “Generally Recognized as Safe” by the FDA for human consumption, it may cause mild side effects such as:

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Flu-like symptoms

How to take diatomaceous earth

Start by adding 1 tablespoon of DE to water or juice each day. Note that it will not dissolve completely. Work your way up to 3-4 tablespoons per day. Drinking this mixture has been shown to cleanse the digestive tract of toxins and intestinal organisms. This will benefit your body by allowing more nutrients to be absorbed for energy and overall health.

Just like with any supplemental booster, do your research and start slow. With all the problems that pharmaceutical drugs can cause, looking into natural remedies may be just the answer you are looking for.

Foods high in silica

Not a big fan of trying to add a non-dissolvable powder to your drinks? There are a variety of foods that contain silica naturally that may be easier to eat than taking diatomaceous earth. These foods include:

• Wheat

• Rice

• Oats

• Green beans

• Some other types of beans

• Nuts and seeds

• Bananas and dried fruit

• Coffee and tea

• Meat and dairy

• Spring and mineral water

Curious about more natural remedies?

Check out our selection of supplement patches. We have a wide variety of natural remedies to help you feel better and live a healthier life. Whether you’re looking to increase your libido, lose weight, get more energy, or reduce inflammation, we have a natural remedy to help you out.

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