The Benefits of Area Rugs

Area rugs help a lot if you have allergies from airborne dusts. It traps the allergens, preventing them from becoming airborne. But, you need to vacuum it at least once a week to remove the trapped allergens.

Habitat has large impact on how we feel, have you noticed it? If you are in a place that is warm and welcoming definitely you will feel comfortable and safe. But, if you are in a room that has uninviting atmosphere though you have been there for weeks, you will still feel strange and unwelcome. One of my friends just move out to her new apartment, she wanted to feel comfortable in her new haven thus she decorated the apartment with lots of consideration to bring everything she put in harmony, from the color of the walls and floor to area rugs, furniture and curtains. Her apartment’s interior design was nice, as if she hired an interior designer for her apartment. The color scheme was great, I love it! She admitted that it has been not easy for her to choose the right rugs for her apartment because there are lots of cheap rugs to choose from and are elegant to look at. It gives life to the place and absorbs the noise in the room too.

My friend has allergies on dusts, thus, aside from the fact that her area rugs helps her feel at home on her apartment it plays a big role on her allergies too.  She just makes sure to vacuum her place twice a week to make sure her indoor environment is clean. There a lots of good quality but cheap rugs in the market. The place you are staying in really has an impact on your physical and mental health, thus you need to clean, arrange and decorate things accordingly. A sight of messy and cluttered place triggers stress while clean and well-arranged place make you feel at peace.

How to Reduce Dust and Other Pollutants in Your Home

Protect your family health by reducing dust and other pollutants in your home. It is true that harmful microorganisms exist everywhere and we cannot totally get rid of them but, we can limit their population by making sure our place is clean.

Parents encourage their children to stay at home as much as possible to keep them safe from accidents and diseases. But, did you know that indoor pollution is one of the top environmental health risks? Inhaling pollutant-free air is part of healthy lifestyle because clean air is necessary to achieve a healthy body. We already knew how harmful tobacco smoke is to your family health, this time we will talk about dust and common biological pollutants that could be found in our homes, their harmful effects and an effective way to get rid of them.

Biological pollutants from air and dusts such as molds, dust mites, fecal droppings from dust mites and other insects, animal dander, lint, bacteria and viruses PLUS pollen, plant and mold spores may affect your family health. They can pass through the filters of your respiratory system thus affecting it and, may lower your immune system resulting to respiratory allergies, acute and chronic infections and, or even cancer. it can also cause skin allergy, skin infections, eye irritation and a lot more.

Furnace filters is a great help in reducing this harmful elements of indoor air. As the air passes through the filter, it removes dust and other harmful particles from air. Honeywell Furnace Filters filters sixty times more dust and other air pollutants than the 1″  standard filter. High efficiency Pleated Furnace Filters with no wire mesh are a good choice too. You just need to follow the instructions of manufacturer how often it should be cleaned and replaced to maximize its performance.

Replacing the filters regularly makes sure of the protection of your family health saves your money from hospitalization and, or medications; and from the hassles of repair of your furnace. Good standing furnace filter may even help you reduce your heating bill too. Purchasing wholesale furnace filters is even better because you can save more money if you purchase in bulk. Thus, you can buy other family needs from the money you saved.

Wellness is priceless. Protect your family health at all cost because health is wealth.

Health Benefits of Flaxseed

Health Benefits of Flaxseeds

Flaxseed and Flax Oil Benefits

Have you heard about flaxseed and flax oil benefits? For the benefit of those who are interested to know more about flaxseed and flaxseed oil, I want to share some things I knew that is good for your family health.

Flaxseed and Flax Oil and its health beneficial components are highly significant when it comes to having healthy heart, arteries, and strong bones. We have talked about fatty acids and the significance of polyunsaturated fatty acids in lowering of low density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels and in raising the level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol. We have also tackled about omega-3 that is good for our bones. Well, let us add some benefit we can get from omega-3 to our list: it can RAISE high density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol that is responsible in cleaning up LDL-clogged artery; an anti-cancer; it helps reduce psoriasis, eczema, acne, dandruff and some allergies; has anti-stress effect (it increases stamina); and improves calcium absorption. The good news is- flaxseed oil belongs to polyunsaturated fatty acids and it is a good source of omega-3, so good for your family health as source of fat.

Yes, you hear it right, omega-3 from plant source. Usually, when we hear about omega-3, we automatically link it to fish oil, right? Well, flaxseed oil contains twice the amount of omega-3 compared to fish oil. Fish oil has omega-3 that is called eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA omega-3 while flaxseed and walnut has the precursor form and is called alpha-linolenic acid or ALA Omega-3. As you consume ALA omega-3, your body converts it to EPA omega-3. Flaxseed has alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) while evening primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). I highly emphasized it because though both ALA and GLA are linolenic acid that belong to essential fatty acids (EFA), they have different health benefits.

Aside from alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 from plant source, flaxseed is rich in essential fatty acid called omega-6 fatty acids. We can also find insoluble and soluble fibers, manganese, magnesium, folate, copper, phosphorus, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), potassium, lecithin, zinc, protein and lignan precursors in flaxseed. Remember the phytoestrogen from soya? Flaxseed also contains phytoestrogen.Lignan precursors in flaxseed are converted to lignans by the body when it is consumed. Lignans acts as phytoestrogen and antioxidant in the body. It has anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-cancer properties.

Flaxseed benefits are so promising, right? But, not everyone has good access where to buy flaxseeds. Thanks to the byproducts (flaxseed oil and flaxseed oil supplements) that is accessible in the market. Flaxseed is more beneficial compared to flaxseed oil and flaxseed oil supplements because it contains dietary fibers (soluble and insoluble) and antioxidants. However application of minute amount of flaxseed oil to your face and neck for at least 30 minutes before taking a bath helps prevent your skin from fine lines and wrinkle formation.

Flaxseed is easily destroyed by heat, so, the right time to add your flaxseed or flaxseed oil is when your favorite food is already cooked. You may add it also in your favorite salads or even in yogurt. Practically speaking, you may add flaxseed in any food you want to eat as long as it is not hot. Though flaxseeds has lots of benefits, due to its high calorie content you need to take it moderately. Our body need 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil only for every 100 pounds of body weight every day. And in case you are taking in flaxseed, you only need 10-40 grams a day.

Just a simple reminders:
-You have to ask some opinion from your doctor first, if it is advisable for you to take flaxseed. or not.
-Buy flaxseed oils that are prepared at low temperature and placed in light-resistant plastic container.
-Make sure to refrigerate your flaxseed oil and, or flaxseed oil capsules to extend its shelf life.

Water As An Alternative Medicine

water as an alternative medicine

Water as an alternative medicine is not new to us. It has been practiced by old folks before the time synthetic medicines have been discovered.

I have posted some articles here about water:

Water, how important is it to you?

Water, The Lubricant of Your Functionality

Understanding Our Thirst

Water for Skin Rejuvenation and Beauty

A Daily Water Intake Reminder

Why am I doing this? Because I believe that being properly hydrated is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to stay healthy.

Did you know that water can even cure some health problems? People called it water therapy. As far as I know, there is no scientific evidence about it yet but, I firmly believe that water can help cure certain health problems because our body consists of more than 60 percent of water. And, water therapy is not new to me because since I was a kid, my family’s usual practice  is  to do water therapy first instead of instantly taking in some synthetic drugs as treatment for constipation, hyperacidity, cough, colds, headache and some kidney problems. Usually, those problems can be cured by adding few extra glasses of water from your usual daily intake.

Lately, I learned from a friend that aside from the common health problems I have mentioned earlier, water therapy lowers blood sugar level, blood pressure, and uric acid level. It helps a lot too in people suffering from acne problem; migraine; allergies; sinusitis; arthritis; rheumatism; some respiratory problems; obesity; anemia; leukemia; and certain CANCERS (please ask your physician if it is okay for you to drink plenty of water). Is it not amazing?

Lots of people have tried and found it helpful. Are you interested to give it a try? Here are the 3 simple steps:
1. As preparation, see to it that you have not taken any alcoholic drinks before retiring to bed.
2. Early in the morning, upon waking up, gargle to clean your mouth from accumulated bacteria while you were sleeping then, drink 1.5 liters of water. If you are not used to drink such plenty of water in one setting, just start with 2-3 glasses of water then gradually increase it until you are able to drink 1.5 liters upon waking up.
3. You may proceed to your usual schedule afterwards but NOTHING BY MOUTH (no food or drinks should be taken) should be implemented for 1-2 hours after drinking the 1.5 liters of water.

Note: It is not necessary that you should do it upon waking up, what is important here is you start and end up your water therapy session with an EMPTY stomach. You may start this therapy at least 2 hours after taking your breakfast or lunch.

Please remember that the 1.5 liters of water you will consume is for therapy or cleansing purposes and not part of your daily water intake which is 8 glasses a day. You may train your child as young as 3 years old to drink 2-3 glasses of water upon waking up and take 6 glasses of water everyday.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

laughter is the best medicine

Laughter is the best medicine. It keeps away negative emotions like anxiety and depression, which tend to weaken the immune system. It relieves stress, a common cause of heart and blood pressure problems. It improves lung capacity and oxygen levels in the blood and thus lessens complaints of asthma and bronchitis. It also releases endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers, thus reducing the occurrence and intensity of arthritic pain and muscular spasms. It is helps alleviate insomnia, migraines, allergies, and ulcers.

Laughter is initiated by many sensations and thoughts, and that it activates many parts of the body. Laughter involves motor, emotional and cognitive components, each one located in a specific part of the brain. When we laugh, we change our facial expressions and make sounds. During high-spirited laughter, the muscles of the arms, legs and trunk are involved. Laughter also needs variation in our pattern of breathing. It activates the cardiovascular system, so heart rate and blood pressure increase. The arteries are dilated, causing blood pressure to fall again. Repeated short, strong contractions of the chest muscles, diaphragm and abdomen increase blood flow into our internal organs, and forced respiration.

Right diet, water intake, exercise, temperance and other elements of healthy lifestyle are important for us to stay healthy. Let us not forget the importance of laughter to our physical and mental health. Good laugh protects us from harmful effects of stress in our daily lives. Why not spend some of your time exchanging healthy humors with your family and friends or watch comedy shows and movies that may trigger laughter. Did you know that one minute of laughing is equivalent to ten minutes on a rowing machine? So what is spending some time going out with your friends to watch live Las Vegas Shows and have fun laughing, and having a great time. To  have a good laugh and be happy is priceless.

Effects of good laugh led to new and valuable therapies practiced by doctors, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals using humor and laughter to help patients manage, or treat a variety of physical, mental, and spiritual issues. Indeed, laughter is the best medicine.