Wellness Posts by Indy Summers

Seaweed: An Uncommon Solution to the Common Cold

support@wellness.com — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 04:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Seaweed: An Uncommon Solution to the Common Cold by Indy Summers

When someone says the word “seaweed,” what comes to mind? If you spend any time at the beach, you probably think of scraggly looking green or brown strands washed up on the sand, or wispy tendrils that brush against your legs while you crash in the waves. Or maybe, if food is your thing, you picture certain traditional eastern treats, such as sushi rolls, soups, and seaweed-based noodles. But did you know that there’s a lot more to seaweed than meets the eye? New research is taking seaweed well beyond the coast and the kitchen, and is exploring applications that few would have thought possible. In fact, seaweed might actually be a cure for the common cold. Carrageenan: the seaweed extract of a thousand uses - Before we get into exactly how seaweed is being used to fight colds, let’s take a moment to talk about carrageenan. Carrageenan is a highly viscous, gel-like substance that comes from a kind of seaweed known as “Irish moss” (scientific name - Chondrus crispus - ). Archaeological evidence - shows that seaweed was first used as food around 400 BCE (Before Common Era) by people living on the coast of Ireland (hence the name “Irish moss”), but there are also indications that it was being used medicinally in China as much as two hundred years before that. Whatever the case, these early groups in Ireland discovered that seaweed made a nutritious addition to their standard diet, thanks to its -high vitamin and mineral content. And along with the nutritional benefits, they discovered other uses for Irish moss. By washing and boiling the seaweed, they found that they could extract the natural carrageenan, which could then be added to soups, gellies, puddings, and other foods, making them thicker and creamier. Today, carrageenan is produced in much the same way, and is still used as a thickener and a stabilizer in a variety of foods. But now, rather than being used exclusively by groups on the coast of Ireland, it’s incorporated as a proven ingredient into thousands of different products all around the world. Carrageenan can be found in yogurts, beverages, syrups, lunch meats, and even baby formula. At the same time, carrageenan is also useful in cosmetics and toothpaste (to name only a few). But curing the common cold? Well, it all comes back to carrageenan’s unique physical properties, and the way that the cold virus infects the human body. Going viral - Despite its name, the common cold isn’t actually a single virus; it’s an entire class of viruses that operate in a similar way and produce similar symptoms. This is, in part, why the common cold is so difficult to treat. Every one of the - more than 200 viruses - that fall under the umbrella term of “common cold” has its own unique chemical/genetic makeup, and its own built-in strategy for avoiding the body’s natural defenses. This creates big problems for us. The immunities we develop to combat any single one of the viruses may be (and usually are) completely - ineffective - against the next one to come along, which also makes vaccinating against the common cold all but impossible. But despite the range of viruses associated with the common cold, they all affect the body in roughly the same way - by lodging themselves in the lining of our throats and nasal passages. Viruses, carried on our hands or via tiny droplets of infected saliva in the air, can end up making their way into our nose, mouth, or eyes ( - which drain down into the nasal cavity - ). From there it’s just a matter of the virus doing what it does best, and once we’re infected we can expect about - coughing, sneezing, maybe a fever, etc. But our bodies don’t just give up. As soon as the virus takes root, the body responds by secreting mucus in the affected area — usually the nose. The mucus traps the virus so that it can then be expelled from the body (and hopefully into a soft and lotioned tissue). This is effective, because mucus is a highly viscous, gel-like substance. Hmm. “Highly viscous” and “gel-like..." now where have we heard those descriptors used before? - Carrageenan knows nose - That’s right, carrageenan’s special properties make it an - effective answer to viral infection. When administered directly to the nasal passage in the form of a nasal spray, it latches onto viruses, rendering them incapable of infecting or multiplying. Think of it as something like fly paper for colds. And because it fights viral infection by trapping the virus rather than by creating antibodies, it’s similarly effective across the entire range of common cold viruses. Cold sufferers just take a few sprays a few times a day, and the duration and severity of their colds are - cut down significantly. And, because medical science likes to be sure of this sort of thing, carrageenan’s antiviral properties have been tested - again - and - again - and - again - , and the results are always the same. Carrageenan, as an ingredient in nasal spray, does what few other treatments have been able to do — it holds the common cold virus at bay and even puts it out of commision, quickly and effectively. The seaweed solution to common colds - So, the next time you see seaweed, remember that there’s more to it than just what keeps your sushi roll from falling apart. Carrageenan, extracted from Irish moss, is used in a number of applications, and based on a lot of research, it may actually hold the key to finally beating the sore throats, runny noses, and coughing fits that we all fall prey to. The truth is that there’s a lot more to seaweed than meets the eye or nose. With carrageenan-based antiviral nasal sprays, we’re discovering an uncommon solution to the common cold.

10 Similar Skin Conditions That Confuse Even Professionals

support@wellness.com — Thu, 21 Jul 2022 04:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - 10 Similar Skin Conditions That Confuse Even Professionals by Indy Summers

Skin conditions can be surprisingly tricky to diagnose because completely unrelated conditions may have very similar symptoms. Even an experienced dermatologist may have trouble identifying some skin conditions, and a new med student or a person who uses Google to try to self-diagnose will definitely mix up skin issues. The following skin ailments are frequently mistaken for each other. Dandruff and Psoriasis - Any time a person starts having flaky bits of skin on their scalp, the automatic assumption is dandruff. Unfortunately, just piling on dandruff shampoo will do nothing to fix the problem if it’s psoriasis. Psoriasis - is a condition caused by an overactive immune system. Like dandruff, it causes skin to flake off in small bits, leaving behind sensitive, reddened skin. These two conditions are regularly mistaken for each other because -mild psoriasis looks like dandruff and severe dandruff looks like psoriasis. However, their underlying causes are different, so different treatments are needed. Psoriasis may only be diagnosed if it continues to occur after trying dandruff treatments. Rosacea and Acne - Over 14 million people have rosacea - , yet it still can go undiagnosed for months. Rosacea is a skin disease that causes excessive skin reddening along the nose and cheeks, and skin may swell, look irritated, or develop small bumps. Because a rosacea outbreak looks so much like a bout of acne, -it can easily fool inexperienced skincare professionals. The condition is even trickier to diagnose because rosacea sufferers tend to have more acne than others, so skin might exhibit both actual acne and rosacea bumps at the same time. Since harsh skincare products can trigger rosacea, trying an intense acne regimen might just worsen the problem. Hidradenitis Suppurativa and STDs - Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory disease- that affects the subcutaneous layers of the skin. People with this uncomfortable condition get small, irritated lumps under the skin that hurt, look red, and may drain pus. Since hidradenitis suppurativa occurs in areas where the skin rubs together, it frequently shows up on the groin. As soon as a person hears about painful, pus-filled lumps on the groin, they typically begin suggesting tests for STDs like herpes. Good hidradenitis suppurativa treatment relies on regularly taking antibiotics, hormonal therapy, or retinoids for a long period of time, so any delay in diagnosis makes treatment take even longer. Carcinomas and Warts - Both carcinomas and warts are caused by an overgrowth of skin cells, so it is no surprise that they are frequently confused. Both often start out as a small bump on the skin. They may be hard or soft, and they can be skin colored or reddened. Squamous cell carcinomas are particularly likely to look like a wart- since they tend to start out as a thick, rough patch of skin. They might look similar at first, but over time, carcinomas tend to itch, hurt, or develop an unhealing wound. However, the only way to confirm that a person has a carcinoma is by biopsying the skin. Fungal Infections and Eczema - Fungal infections and eczema both cause a wide range of vague and uncomfortable skin symptoms. Therefore, -it is quite common for the two to be confused. A fungal infection happens when there is an excessive amount of fungal microorganisms growing on the surface of the skin. The most common type of infection is candida, but any fungal infection can cause red skin, itchiness, and tingling pain. Eczema also causes a red, itchy, painful rash, but it tends to be triggered by allergic reactions. Differentiating between the two often relies on checking to see if an antifungal medication is effective or not. Diagnosing skin conditions can be very difficult, especially as a med student who is still learning the symptoms of each. However, diagnosing skin conditions correctly comes much more easily as the symptoms and treatments of each are learned. Continually familiarizing oneself with these important aspects of diagnosis will help drastically to decrease the confusion that often comes with diagnosing skin conditions.

Can Probiotics Help Balance My Diet?

support@wellness.com — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 07:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Can Probiotics Help Balance My Diet? by Indy Summers

Can Probiotics Help Balance My Diet? - The world is full of stress and demands. As a child, you can’t wait to grow up so you won’t have to be under your parents’ rules. As an adult, you sometimes wish that someone told you to go to bed early. The rat race is in full force, and it shows no signs of slowing down. The stress caused by trying to do everything and be everything to everyone is taking a real toll on the mental and physical health of many people. Many strive to strike a balance that will allow them to do the work that needs to be done and still have time to relax and feel at peace. There are some things you can do to help achieve this goal, the most important of which might have to do with what you eat. How Does Diet Affect the Body? - The food you take in provides the fuel that keeps your body going. It contains the vitamins and minerals that are essential ingredients for maintaining overall body systems. If you do not get what you need through the food you eat, you may need to take supplements or your health will start failing. Failing to get the proper nutrition can mean large fat deposits, a malfunctioning thyroid, and glandular system and an eventual shut down of systems like the kidneys. What Part Does the Gastrointestinal System Play in Overall Health? - The - gastrointestinal tract - is the means through which food is brought into the body. It begins at the point food is swallowed and continues until the waste is disposed of through the anus. Everything in between is part of the process and is commonly referred to as "the gut." Within various places inside the gut, bacteria reside. These bacteria perform vital functions such as breaking down food to capture the nutrients. These essential elements are absorbed and sent to various parts of the body to serve as fuel and fundamental chemicals. What Can Probiotics Do To Help My Health? - Probiotics are live organisms - , or bacteria, that aid in the breakdown and digestion of food. They help to keep the gut clean and functioning correctly. One of the most significant roles probiotics play is keeping the immune system in check and working as it should. The bacteria help to keep the pathway clear for white blood cells to act upon invaders and clear infections rather than dealing with inflammation that occurs in the gut. When the balance of good and bad bacteria is off, probiotics like those seen on - Activated You on Instagram - can help balance the numbers and lead to a better functioning gastrointestinal system. Is Diet the Only Thing That Can Keep My Life Balanced? - There are many steps you can take to improve your overall health. If it isn’t possible to reduce the stress, try raising your activity level. Take 15 minutes every morning to do some basic yoga poses, do some light cardio if possible or join a gym and get a full workout a few days a week. The more you move your body, the better your intestinal system will move food and waste through. The processing of nutrients becomes more efficient. If you increase activity and decrease fatty and sugary foods, you may start to notice that you have more energy. This may be due to the gut being balanced and efficient. When it slows down, it sucks the energy out of your body because it can’t correctly deliver fuel where it is needed. Keeping your life in a healthy balance is essential to enjoying the events around you. Your stress and health are in direct proportion to each other, and so the better you feel, the easier it will be to fend off the everyday events that tend to overwhelm you. Probiotics and diet can be a large part of that.

Mindfulness: The Keys to Knowing and Loving Yourself

support@wellness.com — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 07:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Mindfulness: The Keys to Knowing and Loving Yourself by Indy Summers

In today's era, many people struggle with being happy with themselves. Social media, television programs, music videos, and magazines portray people with a certain image that is trendy, influencing people in many different ways. However, because of these influences, many people are plagued by a misleading impression of their body image. Instead of focusing on living a healthier lifestyle, taking the time to get to know more about themselves, what is beneficial for their own physical as well as emotional and mental health, struggling with their own body image, they find themselves taking a more judgemental approach and begin down a horrible path of suffering from eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. The best approach toward living a happy, healthy fulfilling lifestyle is by focusing on your wellbeing instead of what others may say and think is best for you. How you see and love yourself is more important than what others see or feel. Mindfulness And Its Benefits - Mindfulness is being aware of our thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and environment, through a more disciplined, nurturing approach. It involves acceptance without negatively judging the self. According to Ryan M. Niemiec Psy.D., - "Mindfulness is the self-regulation of attention with an attitude of curiosity, openness, and acceptance.” - Practicing mindfulness helps your thoughts stay in tune with the here and now, instead of being trapped by your past or worried about your future. It challenges us to break free from negative thoughts and develop an attitude of gratitude and hope, helping us to be optimistic and focus more on positive ways to address difficult situations that may arise in our lives. How Mindfulness Helps Improve Body Image - Many of us struggle with the way we see ourselves in the mirror and the way we feel about our bodies when we put on clothes. Developing a personal relationship with yourself and your body helps you mindfully readjust your presence with your body that brings happiness and fulfillment to your life. Being mindful of yourself and needs is essential for helping you create the image you desire. Instead of reflecting on parts of your body that you dislike with rejection, practicing mindfulness will help you direct love and gratitude toward them, encouraging you in a less bias way to improve the areas you dislike instead. According to Maor Bernshtein'", body image is the collection of perception, feelings, and thoughts regarding one’s own body. Positive body image is not the absence of negativity, but rather an expression of “appreciation for the body as it is, even though there may be aspects that an individual may want to alter.” - This implies that there may be different factors that appear to be related to positive, but not negative, body image". Conclusion -
-It is impossible to live up to everyone's expectations or views of how you should look, what you should wear, or how you should feel about yourself. It is not selfish to love who you are, as you are, and improve the areas you believe needs improving, or even staying the same. What matters - is that you let go of unrealistic views of yourself, love yourself, and develop a daily healthy routine that is best for you. According to Emily Roberts MA, LPC,"Self-care is important to maintain a healthy relationship with yourself." - By developing a daily exercise program, balancing your nutritional intake, and being proud of your accomplishments small and great, taking one step and one day at a time, helps improve the way you view and feel about yourself. When we practice mindfulness and self-care, it rewards us with various health benefits.

How To Maintain Your Weight

support@wellness.com — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 07:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - How To Maintain Your Weight by Indy Summers

The internet is full of articles, blog posts and videos telling people how they can lose weight. Considering how many adults and youths today struggle with weight issues, it's not surprising that there's a wealth of information out there targeted towards those who want to shed some pounds. However, one group that's dramatically underserved are those who are content with the weight they're at and simply want to maintain it. Whether you've successfully hit your weight loss goals or never had a problem to begin with, if you like the weight you're at and want to maintain it, here are some tips on how to do it. Take An Inventory of Your Habits - There are two lifestyles that lead to a healthy weight. The first is the ideal scenario, where a person is eating the same amount of calories that they expend each day. The second is the not-so-ideal scenario, where a person's caloric intake and expenditure ranges too high or too low, but averages out to where they stay at what looks like a "healthy" weight on paper. Ideally, you want your daily caloric expenditure and your intake to be equal. If you find yourself "yo-yo-ing" depending on the day, try to restructure your daily habits so that you're maintaining a caloric balance in a healthy way. Mix Up Your Fitness - If you've found an - exercise routine - that helps you to maintain the physique you want, then you probably don't see any reason to change your habits. However, as our bodies adapt to a workout routine, the exercises we do can begin to lose their effectiveness. This is because our muscles can grow accustomed to the movements, thereby removing the challenge and halting our progress. If you like the weight you're currently at, consider trying some new styles of fitness or different types of exercise classes. By "shocking" your muscles with a new form of movement, you ensure that they don't grow accustomed to your fitness routine. To remain healthy, you want your muscles to constantly be changing and adapting to new movements. Stop Weight Gain As Soon As It Happens - Even those of us who are meticulous about our exercise and nutrition will occasionally find ourselves gaining weight. It can happen after the holidays, after a vacation or following a period of stress. When this happens, it's essential that you do something to fix the problem as soon as possible. It's easier to get rid of five pounds that you've gained than it is to try to shed 20 pounds because you let the problem spin wildly out of hand. Have Some Fun Once in a While - Life is not meant to be a miserable experience where you spend everyday avoiding junk food and leisure because you're terrified of gaining weight. One of the benefits of hitting your goal weight at the end of a weight loss journey is that you can start - incorporating cheat days - and the occasional skipping of the gym into your life. Remember, nobody ever developed a weight problem from one vacation or one day spent away from the gym. Rather, it's years of bad habits that lead to weight problems. If you're at a healthy weight, give yourself permission to occasionally have a little fun. Life's too short to not be enjoyed. If you follow this guide, you can maintain your healthy weight without devoting every waking hour to diet and fitness. All it takes is some smart techniques to ensure that you maintain your weight and stay fit.

Easy Ways to Care for Your Skin

support@wellness.com — Sat, 14 Sep 2019 07:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Easy Ways to Care for Your Skin by Indy Summers

Human skin is the largest and one of the most important organs that make up the human body. Skin itself accounts for more than 15% of a person's weight. Making up the skin is more than 300 million cells. Such a large organ requires careful attention. If skin is not taken care of it can cause tremendous problems for the body. There are a number of things people can do to take care of their skin. Here are some of the best tips for taking care of the skin. Protect your skin from the sun - Humans need the sun. It provides Vitamin D which is essential to good health. However, even with the sun, too much of a good thing can be bad. Over the course of a lifetime, sun exposure can cause spots, wrinkles, and even cancer. For good skin protection, it's a good idea to seek shade and use sunscreen when necessary. The hours of 10 am to 4 pm are considered the hottest when the sun's rays are the strongest. Consider avoiding extra sunlight during this time. Don't Smoke - We've known for years that - smoking is bad - for your lungs. Now we understand that it can also be harmful to skin. Smoking makes the skin look older and causes wrinkles. Smoking can also damage collagen and elastin. These fibers give your skin strength and elasticity. In addition to these issues, smoking can increase the risk of squamous cell skin cancer. If you're concerned about your skin, and you smoke, the best thing you can do is quit. There are a number of treatments that can help. Skin Creams - Probably the easiest option for skincare is skin cream. There are a lot and they boast some amazing stuff, from protecting the skin, to slowing the signs of aging. Make sure to do your research on anything you’re going to use. Review sites like - Thrive Reviews - are great examples of sites that can give you good ideas of creams to use. Eat a healthy diet - Your whole life you've been told it's important to eat your fruits and vegetables. Your skin is just another reason to follow this sound advice. Eating a healthy diet will help you both look and feel good. Many researchers see a connection between a poor diet and acne. A diet that is rich in fish oil or fish supplements can help improve the condition of the skin. Also, a diet that is low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger-looking skin. Last, but certainly not least, is water. If you want healthy skin, it is imperative that you drink plenty of water. Most experts recommend consuming half of your body weight in ounces of water each day. A great way to do this is to start first thing in the morning when you wake up. Fitness and Nutrition Expert Shawn Stevenson calls this an 'inner bath.' Get your system hydrated after being asleep for several hours. Manage stress - Stress can have a powerful impact on the human body. If you want to keep your skin looking good it is important to manage it. Uncontrolled stress can lead to acne breakouts and other skin conditions. It's important to take the right steps to - manage stress. These can include getting plenty of sleep, exercise, having a meditation practice and scaling back your to-do list. Your skin has to last you your lifetime. With careful attention to your lifestyle and surroundings, it is very possible to have good skin for a lifetime. Eat a healthy diet, manage stress and watch how long you stay in the sun. Your skin will certainly thank you for it.

3 Benefits of Scalp Massages

support@wellness.com — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 07:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - 3 Benefits of Scalp Massages by Indy Summers

Scalp massages are wonderful. They feel great. But they have more than just feeling good going for them. Here are three known benefits to getting a scalp massage: - Hair Growth - A good scalp massage can help to increase circulation to the area. This helps to make hair grow faster. This is because it helps to strengthen the roots of a person's hair. The scalp will be nourished in order to help the healthy growth of new strands. Massage may also make hair softer as if it were a natural conditioner. This is because the scalp, receiving additional blood flow, will be able to absorb all of the nutrients inside of the sebum (scalp oils). Scalp massage also helps to distribute the scalps natural oils throughout the hair. If you have dry hair, then there is a good chance that you also have dry scalp. If you are prone to dry scalp, then it might be a good idea to have a scalp massage at least once a week to stimulate the scalp and aid healing. It can also help to control an oily scalp, again, by distributing those oils from the scalp out to the hair (adding shine and luster). Circulation - The second benefit is that scalp massage can enhance the circulation of the blood throughout the body. As the person gives the massage, blood flow is stimulated and moves toward the brain, the neck, and shoulders — some of the areas where we normally hold tension and which are often tight. Stimulating blood flow in these areas can help to encourage greater freedom of movement in these areas as well. Relaxation - The third benefit is that the scalp massage is very relaxing. Scalp massage is a great way to calm your spirit down and relax your body. Relaxation and stress reduction can help to promote better sleep, reduce brain fog during waking hours, and even boost happiness. Often, people falls asleep during professional scalp massage precisely because it is so relaxing. But when we think of massage, we often leave out this part of the body and many people are unaware that they can go to a massage place just for this or even add this on to a whole-body massage as a treatment. So consider how this beneficial, but little talked about treatment might help you with your own body challenges.