Wheat and Mental Health: Does Gluten Affect Blood Flow To The Brain?

The use of gluten is universal. This common protein is found in most of the world’s grains including wheat, barley and spelt, and it is almost always a prime ingredient in the production of breads, processed foods, pastas, rolls and crusts. As is the way of that old expression, “one man’s meat is another’s poison”, gluten can and often does cause serious health problems, the most prominently studied of which is Celiac Disease. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, more than 50 ailments are either caused or intensified by the ingestion of gluten, including anxiety and depression.

It was first suspected that wheat consumption cuts off the blood flow to the brain back in 1954 when the disappearance of symptoms considered part of the schizophrenia syndrome in patients consuming gluten free diets first appeared in medical literature.

In 1966, F.C. Dohan, M.D. conducted a remarkable study involving women in Finland, Norway, Sweden, Canada and the United States before and after World War II, the purpose of which was to confirm the possible connection between schizophrenia and celiac disease. Findings were published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. It was called: Wheat “Consumption and Hospital Admissions for Schizophrenia During World War II.

The most outstanding study dates back to a 1987 case study involving a 33-year-old patient that was published in the Journal of Internal Medicine. This patient had a pre-existing diagnosis of schizophrenia, which was accompanied by classic signs of gluten intolerance; severe diarrhea and weight loss. Thanks to brain scan technology, doctors discovered a decreased blood flow to the brain within the patient’s frontal cortex. Blood flow returned to the area and the diagnosis completely changed after a gluten-free diet was implemented.

Dr. David Perlmutter’s best selling book on the subject, Grain Brain, has opened the eyes of the world to the fact that grains can and do negatively affect brain health. The disruption of blood flow to the frontal cortex profoundly concerns mankind, for it is this area of the brain that controls choosing between “good” and “bad” actions, suppressing socially unaccepted behavior, long-term memory and the recognition of consequences resulting from current actions.

Two other important studies researched the gluten-gut-brain connection. The first, “Association Between Headache and Sensitivities to Gluten and Dairy, was published in the Journal of Integrative Medicine. The second study, Overlapping with Crohn’s Disease: A Case Series, appeared in Case Reports in Immunology and addressed what appeared to be three different diagnoses gluten sensitivity.

In conclusion, studies on gluten, while remarkable, are not yet conclusive. It does seem clear, however that mood disorders related to gluten sensitivity have been considerably under-diagnosed. Hopefully, ongoing research will eventually unravel the entire truth concerning its ramifications. It can be assumed however, that if the consumption of wheat interferes with blood flow to the brain in even some individuals, abstaining from it can be the best solution.

http://massreport.com/wheat-and-mental-health-does-gluten-affect-blood-flow-to-the-brain/

5 Reasons Why You Should Take Cold Showers

By Joe Martino
   

There’s nothing like a warm shower when we want to relax or even warm up on a cold winter day. The idea of subjecting ourselves to cold showers can actually seem crazy at times given how luxurious it has become to enjoy hot showers. But the truth is a cold shower can provide a lot of benefits that you may want to consider.

1. Improves Immunity & Circulation

Running cold water over your body at the end of a shower can improve circulation as blood is sent throughout your arteries to surround your organs. It can be viewed in the same way we run certain systems at high performance every so often to keep it maintained and well oiled. Increased blood flow can also help certain skin and heart issues as well as lower blood pressure, help clear blocked arteries and improve our immune system.

2. Improves Hair and Skin Condition

Hot water can dry out your skin and hair. Of course, it doesn’t help that there are high levels of chlorine coming out of our showers which has a drying-out effect on skin and hair as well. If you can run your shower colder or finish cold at the end, it’s a natural way to keep your skin and hair from drying out as cold water tightens cuticles and pores. This helps to prevent natural oils on the scalp and skin to be stripped away so easily. By keeping a proper oil balance you will have soft, shiny natural looking hair. This also helps to keep the skin and scalp cleaner as well.

3. Increase Alertness

Have you ever woken up early in the morning and felt tired hopping in the shower and as you feel the warm water running over your body you want to jump right back into bed? This is where cold showers can come in handy. As cold water hits your neck it causes you to do that almost slightly shocked deep breath. This increases oxygen intake and also gets the heart rate up which pumps blood through the body faster giving the body a nice natural surge of energy.

4. Eases Stress & Depression

Cold showers have also been shown to help decrease stress levels. One study found that exposure to cold helped decrease uric acid levels and increase glutathione, an antioxidant considered to be one of the most important for a healthy body. The participants swam regularly in ice-cold water during the winter months and it was found that they adapted to repeated oxidative stress.

Another study found that cold hydrotherapy (i.e. cold showers) helped to improve moods and had an anti-depressive effect with no bad side effects or creation of dependency. Subjects were tested with one to two cold showers at 38 degrees Fahrenheit that were two to three minutes long. These were followed by a five-minute gradual adaptation to make the procedure less shocking.

5. Speeds Up Muscle Soreness and Recovery

A study conducted in 2009 found that people who rested or immersed themselves in cold water after their exercise saw a decrease in onset muscle soreness caused by resistance training, cycling or running. It was found that a 24 minute bath in water with temperatures around 10 – 15 degrees celsius (50F – 59F) was most effective. Taking a cold shower after your workouts would still have a positive effect on muscle soreness as well. The longer you go the greater the benefit. Research also believe that alternating hot and cold at the end of a shower after a workout may help reduce pain and speed recovery by decreasing blood lactate concentration.

How To

So how do you do it? Well you turn on the water cold and hop in.. sort of. There’s actually some differing ideas on exactly how to take a cold shower and one of the ways that I’ve used most is listed below from blog.iamgary.com.

1. Turn the water on, set to cold. Some people will tell you to start warm and decrease the temperature slowly each time you shower, then start a little colder each day. Yes, that method will eventually result in taking a cold shower but you’re going to miss out on the heart-pounding exhilaration that you only experience fully the first couple times you take a cold shower. It doesn’t have to be ice cold, just cold.
2. Feet first. Your feet will adjust to the temperature fastest so get them under the spray and work your lower body under the water as quickly as you can. By the time the water is splashing your stomach you’ll be looking for a distraction so…
3. Hands second. Get your hands and arms wet, then splash water over your torso. By now your legs and front should be thoroughly wet.
4. Head under! You’re going to be be breathing heavily and involuntarily so be careful not to inhale any water through your nose or mouth. You’re going to feel alright, like hey I can do this, but you’ve forgotten part of your body…
5. Back last. Millions of nerve fibres are routed through your spine so getting your back wet is the hardest part. You’re going to feel a lot of sensations, almost an electrical charge crackling up and down your back. Get this wet last then finish washing and scrubbing. Good job, you’ve taken a cold shower.

http://www.collective-evolution.com/2015/01/09/5-reasons-why-you-should-take-cold-showers/

Sharpen The Brain For Better Circulation?

Sharpen The Brain For Better Circulation

14 Warning Signs That You Have Poor Blood Circulation

From the day you were born your body has worked constantly to circulate more than five liters of blood through your body. Your arteries and veins are like highways for blood transportation. This helps your organs function, delivers nutrients and hormones, regulates your PH, and contributes to essentially every bodily process. Like highways, they require maintenance and care to function properly.

What is Low Blood Circulation?

Somebody with poor blood circulation receives insufficient amounts of blood to certain parts of the body. Plaque buildup and other factors slow the blood down and limit the effectiveness of transportation to the legs, arms, heart, and other important areas.

There are several life habits, medical conditions, and behaviors that make an individual susceptible to this issue. Smoking, pregnancy, eating disorders, and weight gain are just a few of many ways someone can become vulnerable to this condition.

Poor circulation affects people of all ages and if left untreated can cause serious damage to your brain, heart, liver, kidney and limbs. It’s most common in elderly people but should be taken seriously at any age.

The Symptoms

Poor blood circulation is a danger because of its silent nature. It can be easy to overlook in its early stage and only found once it has worsened. The following symptoms are common indicators of a weakened circulatory process.

Visible Signs

Leg Ulcers – Ulcers are sore inflamed parts of the skin much like a rash that refuses to go away. Someone with poor circulation might notice them beginning to develop near their feet and on their legs. Look for dry red patches of varied sizes digging into the skin.

Swelling – If poor circulation interferes with the kidneys it can lead to abnormal swelling. If your hands or feet begin to gather fluid from slow blood flow they might appear swollen and puffy. This happens because the circulatory system tries to reduce the load and the result is leaving some fluid that is called edema.

Discolored Skin – Without the right amount of oxygen pumping through your veins you’ll notice a slight discoloration, also known as cyanosis. Your fingers and toes will have a slightly bruised look to them and other areas might look more blue than usual.

Varicose Veins – If the valves working to pump blood are weakened it allows blood and pressure to build up. This causes the veins just below the surface of the skin to twist and swell. You might notice pain after long periods of sitting or random itchiness during the day. These veins most commonly appear near the feet and ankles.

Hair Loss and Weak Nails – One of the clearest signs that your body isn't getting the right amount of nutrients is within your hair and nails. Hair might become dry and start to thin and fall out in certain areas. Your skin may also become much more dry and itchy and nails tend to become much weaker and fall apart easily. Your fingernails can actually tell you a lot about your health.

Physical Signs

Digestive Issues – With less blood pumping through your body all the other processes have to be slowed as well. When digestion is slowed it causes constipation. Bowel movements become much less frequent and more difficult. To ease constipation, you can find more information in my previous article about the 10 best natural remedies for constipation.

Weakened Immune System – Your body’s ability to detect and fight off pathogens and remain healthy will also be affected by a slower blood flow. You may pick up illnesses much easier because of the sluggish antibodies. You also might find that wounds and injuries take much longer to heal. You can find here ways of how to boost your immune system naturally.

Cold Hands and Feet – When your blood is flowing at optimal speed it helps to keep your body temperature at a healthy and comfortable level. If your circulation is poor, the process of regulating temperature is interfered with. This causes chilly feelings, usually in areas with a lot of nerve endings like the hands and feet.

Exhaustion – When blood flow is slowed down, it restricts the amount of fuel delivered to your muscles. With less oxygen and nutrients fueling your muscles you’ll feel tired much quicker as they struggle to keep up with the stagnant flow of blood. This symptom is characterized by a lack of breath, sore muscles, and less endurance during daily activities.

Erectile Dysfunction - Men with poor circulation might experience an insufficient amount of blood flow in the reproductive organs. It becomes increasingly difficult for them to perform sexual tasks and may eventually stop completely.

Angina – This symptom is indicated by a squeezing pain in the chest. There is less blood flowing to the heart, which causes a tight feeling of pressure in the area surrounding it. The heavy feeling will come and go randomly and is a likely sign of poor blood circulation.

Lack of Appetite - Your liver is responsible for sending hunger signals to the brain when it receives an adequate amount of blood flow. You start to experience less food cravings and eat smaller meals during the day. This also leads to weight loss, another common symptom of bad circulation.

Poor Cognitive Function – The brain relies heavily on blood flow to function properly. You might feel less focused and determined throughout the day. Poor circulation may also affect the effectiveness of your short and long term memory. 

Feeling Numb – Almost everybody has experienced the feeling of numbness from keeping your limbs stagnant for too long. With poor circulation you’ll feel this much more frequently and in parts of the body that you don’t normally lose feeling in. The feelings of numbness usually last no longer than a few minutes.

As you can see, poor blood circulation can affect your body quite significantly. And while treating the symptoms can bring a relief, it’s still best to treat the source of the problem and to improve the blood circulation itself. 

http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/warning-signs-of-poor-blood-circulation/

Sharpen The Brain For Better Circulation

10 Reasons Why Cayenne Pepper Can Revolutionize Your Health

Cayenne pepper is one of my favorite spices. It has been used for culinary and medicinal purposes for thousands of years. It not only provides heat and flavor to your dishes, but it has also been credited with many health benefits.

This popular spice was originally grown in South and Central America, and is a member of the Capsicum family of vegetables, which are more commonly known as chili peppers. The spicy heat produced by cayenne is caused by its high concentration of a substance called capsaicin.

Below you will find how you can enhance your health with cayenne pepper, including some of the side effects that you should be aware of:

1. Reduces muscle and joint pain and inflammation

Applying topical applications of cayenne pepper can reduce muscle and joint pain and inflammation significantly. This is because cayenne has counter-irritant effect: if you rub cayenne on the affected area, it will cause a mild irritation to the tissue to which it was applied, thus distracting from the original more severe joint pain. The active ingredient in cayenne is a substance known as capsaicin. This chemical relieves pain by acting on the sensory nerves by hindering the transmission of a neurotransmitter responsible for transmitted pain signals to your brain. Find here a recipe for cayenne warming oil for joint, muscle and arthritis pain relief.

2. Relieves migraine

When cayenne pepper hits your stomach your brain starts to release endorphins, which are our body’s natural painkillers. So if you can bear the taste, add 1 to 3 teaspoons of cayenne pepper to a glass of water (8 ounces) to get instant relief of migraine headache. You can find here more natural tips and treatments to relieve migraine.

3. Increases metabolism

The capsaicin in cayenne pepper is known to increase metabolism by increasing the internal heat of the body. In order to increase heat, energy is needed, and thus cayenne pepper contributes to increased metabolism. Another theory by a South Korean research suggests that capsaicin might raise the metabolism by positively affecting proteins that help break down fat. You can find here more foods to increase your metabolism.

4. Improves blood circulation

Cayenne has been used to improve blood circulation in traditional Asian medicine as well as in the Indian medicine of Ayurveda. To improve blood circulation, some herbalists suggest taking a quarter-teaspoon three times a day or placing a poultice made with cayenne to boost circulation in a troublesome area. Eating spicy foods, which contain capsaicin from hot peppers increases blood flow throughout the body, and this is why many people become flushed when they eat certain spicy foods. Read here how to improve blood circulation and why it’s so important, and how to recognize symptoms of poor blood circulation.

5. Treats psoriasis

Applying a topical cream, ointment or gel containing capsaicin can help to relieve psoriasis symptoms. According to one study, applying capsaicin cream to the skin relieved itching and skin lesions in people with psoriasis. The concentration of capsaicin in these applications can vary. Higher concentrations can cause a burning sensation to the skin, which improves the longer you use it. Don’t apply it to the sensitive areas near the eyes and mucous membranes and don’t forget to wash your hands well and avoid touching your eyes after using capsaicin. It’s always a good idea to test capsaicin cream on a small area of the skin before extended use. 

6. Treats ulcers

Cayenne pepper may prevent the development of gastric ulcer or eliminate the pain caused by it. While hot spices have a bad reputation in the context of an ulcer, the truth is that capsaicin in cayenne pepper has the ability to destroy invasive bacteria in the digestive system and reduce inflammation in the body. A 2006 review published in the journal “Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition” reported that capsaicin slows the production of acid in the stomach, stimulates blood flow to the stomach lining and enhances the release of mucus in the stomach, and all these aid in healing. The capsaicin in cayenne pepper has anti-bacterial properties that also actively fight the Helicobacter pylori bacteria that can cause stomach ulcers. You can find here more information in my other post on how to treat stomach ulcers.

7. Reducing nasal mucus

Capsaicin effects tissue lining mucous membranes in the nose, sinuses and lungs. Cayenne pepper thins mucous in the nasal passageways and sinuses and makes breathing easier when you are suffering from seasonal allergies, a sinus infection and even the common cold. You can, for example, add cayenne pepper to a tea if you have a cold, as it stimulates drainage of nasal mucus and reduces cold symptoms.

8. Improves heart health

Research available from the U.S. National Library of Medicine shows that capsaicin can lower blood pressure. Also a comparison between different cultures shows that those which use a lot of cayenne pepper in cooking have lower rates of heart attacks and strokes.

Cayenne pepper has been shown to reduce plaque in the blood vessels. It does this by helping break up the fibrin networks that hold the plaque in place. It also reduces the formation of blood clots, and thus keeps blood flowing freely through the blood vessels. This may help prevent or reduce the risk of heart disease.

9. Aids digestion

Cayenne pepper can improve your digestive process and make it more effective and fast. It stimulates the digestive tract, and increases the flow of enzyme production and gastric juices, thus improving the body’s ability to metabolize food. You can make a drink of ¼ – ½ teaspoon cayenne powder with the juice of half a lemon, mixed with warm purified or distilled water. To improve the taste, you can add a teaspoon of honey or other sugar substitute. If you suffer from digestive problems, you can read my previous article about the 8 best natural methods to treat digestive problems.

10. Possible anti-cancer agent

According to the American Cancer Society, the capsaicin in cayenne pepper has the ability to stop the growth of prostate cancer cells. However, the research that supports cayenne pepper as a treatment for prostate cancer was conducted only in laboratory and it was tested only on animals. Researchers are still investigating the potential use of cayenne pepper to treat cancer in humans.

How to use cayenne pepper

Cayenne pepper is available as a fresh or dried pepper, ground spice, in capsule form and creams for external use. You can drink cayenne pepper tea (about one quarter to half teaspoon of cayenne pepper steeped in a cup of hot water). You can add it to food, or stir it into juice, tea or milk. Capsaicin isn’t destroyed by heat, so you can use it in cooking as well.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center website, topical applications contain 0.025% – 0.075% capsaicin and may be applied directly to the affected area up to 4 times a day. Pain may get slightly worse at first, but then may get better over the next few days. Capsaicin should be applied regularly several times a day, and it usually takes 3 – 7 days before you notice substantial pain relief.

Precautions when using cayenne pepper

1. Cayenne pepper can interact with certain medications (such as aspirin and blood thinners). Therefore if you are currently taking medications, talk to your doctor before you include large amounts of cayenne pepper in your diet or take cayenne supplements.

2. Eating too much cayenne pepper can result in stomach irritation as well as stomach pain.

3. Don’t apply capsaicin cream to cracked skin or open wounds.

4. Eating cayenne in food is considered safe during pregnancy, but pregnant women as well as breastfeeding women, should not take cayenne as a supplement.

http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/top-10-uses-cayenne-pepper-medicine/