THIS INVISIBLE ITEM CAN GIVE YOU GREATER HEALTH BENEFITS

An abundance of this item creates a sense of well being and a
lack of it can make us feel lethargic, depressed or moody. What
are we talking about? Negative ions! You cannot see it, smell it
or touch it but its effect on us is very real.

An abundance of negative ions is found in nature. You'll find
plenty of it at the beach where the waves are lapping on the
shore, or the fresh mountain breeze and the cabin in the forest.
If you have ever stood at the base of a waterfall it is not just
the spectacular view that makes you feel so good. It is the
abundance of negative ions that surround you that can give you
that sensation. (No wonder Niagara Falls is called the honeymoon
city.)

According to Pierce J Howard PhD, and author of "The Owners
Manual for the Brain: Everyday Applications from Mind Brain
Research", says that negative ions increase the mood chemical
Serotonin and that it also increases the blood flow of oxygen to
the brain there by making you feel alert, a decrease in
drowsiness and a sense of well being.

If you live in the city, especially a big city with tall
buildings, the amount of negative ions decreases little to none.
On top of that, many of us sit in front of our computers or TVs
which produce positive ions. Too many positive ions make us feel
tired, draggy and depressed. How many times in a day do you have
to get away from your computer so you don't go somewhat comatose
and then going out to lunch revives you?

It's not just the TVs and computers that can make us feel
awful, but the air conditioning system in the office, home,
stores etc produce massive amounts of positive ions. This is
also a reason why people traveling by airplane arrive so
exhausted. They have been swamped for hours by positive ions.
The air gets stale and stuffy and we just want to get out of
there.

Studies done by Dr. Albert P. Krueger and Dr. Richard F. Smith
at the University of California made this discovery. The
bronchial tubes and trachea are lined with tiny filaments called
cilia which in normal conditions move back and forth in a whip
like motion of about 900 beats a minute. Together with mucus,
this keeps our air passages clear of dust and pollen. When they
exposed the trachea to negative ions, it increased the amount of
mucus and increased the cilia movement to 1200 beats a minute.
Exposing the trachea to positive ions decreased the cilia
movement to 600.

I've read numerous studies where they put groups of people in a
room to do regular tasks, one with an ion generator in it and
one without. They all had similar results of the room that used
the ion generator producing negative ions were happier and up to
25% more productive. But there was one study that caught my eye
where they had 2 groups that were told they had an ion generator
in their rooms. Unbeknownst to them, only one room actually had
theirs turned on. They had the same results of the room with the
ion generator being happier and more alert. The other room did
not do so well.

It is no wonder then that we flock to vacation destinations
like beaches or ski resorts. You may think that you feel better
because you are away from the stresses of work, and that is
valid, but your body is already rejuvenated because of the
negative ions. Just get more of it and see if you don't notice
the difference. Open your windows and let the fresh air in, go
to the beach or enjoy the air after a storm. Storms produce
enormous amounts of negative ions. You can even simulate a water
fall by turning on your shower every morning. This is why you
wake up and feel so much better and ready for the day. Get out
of the cement boxes of the city and walk in the park. Do this
for yourself and see if you don't feel better.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Hypertension or high blood pressure, as it is more commonly known, is regarded as a silent killer. It is a disease of the modern age. The fast pace of life and the mental and physical pressures caused by the increasingly industrialised and metropolitan environments have a role to play in the rise in blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured with an instrument called sphygnomanometer in millimetres of mercury. The highest pressure reached during each heart beat is called systolic pressure, and the lowest between two beat is known as diastolic pressure. Most young adults have blood pressure around 120/80. It increases normally with age, even going upto 160/90.

Symptoms of high blood pressure

Pain at the back of the head and neck

The first symptom of hypertension may appear as a pain at the back of the head and neck on waking in the morning, which soon disappears.

Dizziness, Palpitations

Some of the other common symptoms are dizziness, palpitations, pain in the region of the heart, frequent urination, nervous tension, fatigue, and difficulty in breathing.

Causes of high blood pressure

Stress and faulty life style

The main causes of high blood pressure are stress and a faulty style of living. Smoking and an excessive intake of intoxicants, tea, coffee, and refined foods destroy the natural pace of life and prevent the expulsion of waste and poisonous matter from the body. Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) , obesity, and diabetes lead to hypertension.

Excessive intake of common salt, and high fat diet

Other causes of high blood pressure are an excessive intake of common table salt, and eating a high fat and low fibre diet.

Home remedies for high blood pressure

High Blood Pressure treatment using Garlic

Garlic is regarded as an effective means of lowering blood pressure. It is said to reduce spasms of the small arteries. It also slows down the pulse rate and modifies the heart rhythm, besides relieving the symptoms of dizziness, numbness, shortness of breath, and the formation of gas within the digestive tract. It may be taken in the form of raw cloves or two to three capsules a day.

High Blood Pressure treatment using Indian Gooseberry

Indian gooseberry is another effective remedy for high blood pressure. A tablespoon each of fresh amla juice and honey mixed together should be taken every morning in this condition.

High Blood Pressure treatment using Lemon

Lemon is also regarded as a valuable food to control high blood pressure. It is a rich source of vitamin P which is found both in the juice and peel of the fruit. This vitamin is essential for preventing capillary fragility.

High Blood Pressure treatment using Grapefruit

Grapefruit is useful in preventing high blood pressure. The vitamin P content in the fruit is helpful in toning up the arteries.

High Blood Pressure treatment using Watermelon

Watermelon is another valuable safeguard against high blood pressure. A substance extracted from watermelon seeds is said to have a definite action in dilating the blood vessels, which results in lowering the blood pressure. The seeds, dried and roasted, should be taken in liberal quantities.

High Blood Pressure treatment using Rice

Rice has a low-fat, low-cholesterol, and low-salt content. It makes a perfect diet for those hypertensive persons who have been advised salt-restricted diets. Calcium in brown rice, in particular, soothes and relaxes the nervous system and helps relieve the symptoms of high blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure treatment using Potato

Potatoes, specially in boiled form, are a valuable food for lowering blood pressure. When boiled with their skin, they absorb very little salt. Thus they can form a useful addition to a salt-free diet recommended for patients with high blood pressure. Potatoes are rich in potassium but not in sodium salts. The magnesium present in the vegetable exercises beneficial effects in lowering blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure treatment using Parsley

Parsley is very useful in high blood pressure. It contains elements, which help maintain the blood vessels, particularly, the capillaries. It keeps the arterial system in a healthy condition. It may be taken as a beverage by simmering 20 gm of fresh parsley leaves gently in 250 ml of water for a few minutes. This may be drunk several times daily.

High Blood Pressure treatment using Rauwolfia

Among the herbs, rauwolfia is the best remedy for high blood pressure. Alkaloids of this drug, which have a direct effect on hypertension, have been isolated and are being widely used by practitioners of modem medicine, but they have certain unpleasant side-effects which the drug, taken in raw form, does not have. Practitioners of the Indian system of medicine have, therefore, preferred to use the root of the drug in a powdered from. Half a teaspoon of this drug, taken thrice a day, is very effective in hypertension. http://en.wikipedia .org/wiki/ Rauwolfia

High Blood Pressure treatment using Vegetable Juice

Raw vegetable juices, especially carrot and spinach juices, taken separately or in combination, are also beneficial in the treatment of high blood pressure. If taken in combination, 300 ml of carrot juice and 200 ml of spinach juice should be mixed to make 500 ml or half a litre of the juice, and taken daily. If taken separately, one glass should be taken twice daily, morning and evening.

High Blood Pressure treatment using Dietary Calcium and Potassium

Recent studies have revealed an important link between dietary calcium and potassium and hypertension. Researchers have found that people who take potassium-rich diets have a low incidence of hypertension even if they do not control their salt intake. They have also found that people with hypertension do not seem to get much calcium in the form of dairy products. These two essential nutrients seem to help the body secrete excess sodium and are involved in important functions which control the working of the vascular system. Potassium is found in abundance in fruits and vegetables, and calcium in dairy products.

High blood pressure diet

High Blood Pressure Diet

Persons with high blood pressure should always follow a well-balanced routine of a proper diet, exercise, and rest. Diet is of primary importance. Meat and eggs, more than any other food, cause the blood pressure to rise. The pressure can be lowered and blood clotting diminished by increasing the consumption of fruits, reducing protein intake, and sticking to a vegetarian diet. A natural diet consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables instead of a traditional diet, helps to get rid of the toxins from the body. Salt should be avoided; in any case, it should not exceed more than three grams or about half a teaspoon per day.

Other high blood pressure remedies

Other High Blood Pressure treatment

Persons suffering from hypertension must get at least eight hours of good sleep, because proper rest is a vital aspect of the treatment. Most important of all, the patient must avoid overstrain, worries, tension, anger, and haste. He or she must develop a calm and cheerful attitude and develop a contented frame of mind.