Three Tips For The Ageing Taste Buds

As we age, our ability to smell and taste diminishes. Most taste loss is secondary to smell loss, but people notice the taste loss more and think of it as "taste loss" even though the underlying cause may be smell loss. Testing can often help determine whether smell or taste loss is the primary diagnosis.

Taste can begin to decline as early as age 30 and is progressive - it increases with the passing years. Most people over 50 report that food tastes a bit "flatter" or that flavour is "more blunted" than it was in their youth. This tends to cause the overuse of sugar and sweet as people try to compensate for their inability to taste as well. Too much salt and sugar can be very harmful to those with hypertension or diabetes so it is something that should be carefully monitored.

Sometimes the cause of our age related taste loss is the accumulation of years of taste bud damage from excess use of very hot, spicy foods. If you are very fond of these spices you may be damaging your taste buds. The need for ever-increasing "heat" is not a sign that you are getting used to hot peppers, it's a sign you have damaged your taste buds.

Fortunately, if you are younger than 50, your taste buds will regenerate fairly quickly, so damage can be quickly repaired if you stop using these hot spices. However, over the age of 50 taste buds do not regrow nearly as quickly so extra care should be taken to avoid damage.

In fact, about half of those between the ages of 65 and 80 will suffer from this problem though many are unaware of it. By the time we are over 80, three-quarters of us will have problems with our smell and taste.

I know from personal experience with my mom, just how many problems this can cause. For some time now, she has been complaining that food no longer has any taste and that she can't smell things as well. Now at 85, we find she is using sour milk and completely unaware of it. She eats less and less and seems to have very little appetite at all.

I embarked on a journey to learn all that I could to help her. I've learned that there are changes in the body that underlie taste loss and that it nearly always begins with smell loss. This is because true taste loss is much less common than smell loss and though few people know it, smell is an integral part of the taste experience.

As our body ages there are structural changes that occur in the skull that lead to a pinching of the olfactory (smell) nerve. Once this nerve gets pinched the messages can no longer get passed along to the brain and our brain tells us that it doesn't smell anything.

Additionally, blood flow to the brain decreases as we age and this causes the brain to work less well. Exercise is an important way to help increase blood flow, but unfortunately many older people do not get enough of it. Experts believe that exercise does help those with smell and taste loss, so if it all possible it should be incorporated into a daily routine. It doesn't have to be a lot either - just 10 minutes a day - before each meal can make a significant difference!

Finally, a third factor in the age related loss of taste and smell is an increase in the thickness of the nasal mucous which blocks the uptake of odor molecules. Drinking plenty of fluids helps to thin out the nasal mucous. Proper hydration is also known to improve smell and taste loss. When I worked with older patients who hated the taste of water, I recommended they try the many flavoured waters that are on the market today. This is a great tip for anyone that isn't fond of plain water.

Avoiding extremely spicy foods, getting some exercise, and drinking plenty of fluids are three simple ways to improve the sense of smell and taste.

Read Concept of 6 tastes or rasa in Ayurveda

By Kerry Hook

The Benefits of Giving Your Child a Daily Routine

Why does a child need and benefit from a daily routine?

By having a daily routine running in your household your child will have a structure that will help them to focus and discipline their lives.

If they do not have a daily routine they will not be able to prepare themselves for the next task ahead of them. Instead they will feel uneasy and insecure as to how their day will unfold, not knowing what to expect. Once they get into a habit of following a daily routine they will develop eating and sleeping patterns that will help their body to create cycles that will enable them to function well. If they have different eating and sleeping times each day, their bodies will be disturbed and this can cause the child to be moody and tired. It is very important for a child to have fixed meal and bed times. They need food when they are hungry and sleep when they are tired. If there is no consistency in a child's daily life they will find it difficult to settle and relax. By following a routine and being consistent it will help them to follow a set of rules and be able to understand what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. They will understand there are boundaries to which they must adhere. This will help avoid difficult behaviour and tantrums.

Having a daily routine for your child also allows you to have time for yourself, knowing when you will be able to do your thing and this will help you to plan your day and feel relaxed and calm.

I hope you have found this advice beneficial and it helps you to create a daily routine for your child.

Read more about Benefits of Ayurvedic Daily Routine or Dinacharya

By Simon Surfer

Do Not Leave Out Curd From Your Diet Program

Yogurt or curd, whatever you like to call it is every bit as tasty as it is nutritious. Apart from making you lick your lips, it can also do wonders to your overall health. Here are reasons why you cannot leave curd away from the dining table.

1. Curd has friendly bacteria called lactobacillus acidophilus that is very good for the digestive system. Curd can neutralize toxic substances before they can turn carcinogenic or cancer-causing. Curd helps to fight diarrhea, helps colon health and reduces the risk of colon cancer.

2. The healthy bacteria in curd helps to strengthen the immunity. It increases the power of white blood cells that fights infections.

3. Curd reduces the risk of osteoporosis which affects women. As yogurt is rich in phosphorous, it can be quite helpful in maintaining bone strength.

4. Curd or yogurt is packed with calcium , Vitamin B12, riboflavin and protein. One cup of curd eaten gives you 1/3 of the daily calcium requirement and 10 grams of protein everyday, which is about 20 percent of the daily requirement

5. Yogurt is good for people who want to diet, reduce their weight and get slimmer. It lowers the cholesterol levels in the body helps in weight loss

6. Curd can be easily digested which means it is highly metabolic and does not get stored as fat.

7. Curd is very good to remove the risk of vaginal infections. It removes the yeast colonies from accumulating in the female genitalia.

8. Since yogurt can be easily digested compared to milk, it is even better for people who are lactose intolerant and cannot digest milk.

9. A latest research has shown that curd can be increasingly good for the strength of your gums, root canal and teeth

Also read Health Benefits of Curd and Sugar

By Arunraj V.S.

Top Four Benefits Of Getting A Body Massage

A body massage is a special and comfortable way to have a masseuse work through the whole body. During a session, the client is at liberty to inform the masseuse where he or she thinks requires more attention. It is practised worldwide across all cultures. Most spas or beauty parlours have very unique facilities that offer this service to various clients. Most of these features and facilities are designed to provide peace of mind to an individual. Some of them have the space, furnishings, and furniture such as massage tables to make the stay as comfortable as possible. The type of personnel employed also influence the uniqueness of the spa. Body massages are known to bring about a number of benefits to the human body. These include:

· Improved blood circulation

Through body massage, the blood circulation in the body is improved. This means that oxygen in the blood is well circulated and as a result, various toxins are removed from the body. Without a good flow of oxygen into the body, an individual becomes prone to pain such as headaches and also muscle tension.

· Improve skin tone and skin health

Different oils and creams are usually used during the body massage sessions. For instance the eucalyptus oils and other herbal oils which contain especially the vitamin E supplement. Through these oils, the skin is rejuvenated. This is because the oils aid the skin cells to be revitalised.

· Peace of mind

Another important benefit that body massages give to many people is the peace of mind. Everyone needs peace of mind at some point in their lives. Having peace of mind makes an individual feel good about themselves naturally. Important decisions can be made when you are at peace and in total serenity. Your mind is opened up to a number of things like increased awareness, creativity and development plans.

· Lower stress levels

It is important to reduce stress levels at whatever costs. This is because the health conditions likely to arise as a result of stress are very severe. For instance High blood pressure which is also a very costly condition. Going through body massage sessions will help reduce stress levels and thus is an effective way of managing stress.

It also helps in improving the lifestyle and wellbeing of many people. You should do a lot of research on some of the best places that provide these services to receive this pleasurable experience that is available to all.

By Imma Sila
Also Read Health Benefits of Ksheerabala Oil

Insulin Plant or Gymnema Sylvestre,(Gudmar or Madhunashini) Sugar Metabolism And Diabetes

Gurmar is a common name of Gymnema sylvestre, meaning 'sugar destroyer'. Studies show that Gymnema sylvestre not only reduces the taste of sweetness, but also reduces sugar absorption from the gut into the body.

Gymnema also appears to stimulate the production of insulin by the pancreas. Studies have shown these benefits could help extend life. For example, see: Srivastava Y, et al. Hypoglycemic and Life-prolonging Properties of Gymnema sylvestre Leaf Extract in Diabetic Rats. Isr J Med Sci. Jun1985;21(6):540-42.

Gymnema Sylvestre And Diabetes

Anything which can help the body to produce more of its own insulin is to be welcomed. In studies, Gymnema has been identified as a herb which can certainly assist in the management of diabetes. (Read Best spices for diabetes)

Gymnema has several properties which lends it to helping blood sugar management. It:

- Reduces sugar absorbed from food in the intestines

- Stimulates insulin production

- It appears to build pancreatic beta cells, which produce insulin

- Finally, taking Gymnema drops on the tongue dulls the sense of taste for sweet foods.

Some benefits from Gymnema have been reported for Type 1 diabetes, but most research has been done on Type 2 diabetes - the 'maturity onset' type.

For example, in a study lead by K Baskaran in 1990, Gymnema sylvestre was given to 22 patients with Type 2 diabetes for 18 months to supplement their anti-diabetic medication. Most patients showed a distinct reduction of blood sugar levels by several measures. In addition, 5 of the 22 were able to discontinue their conventional drugs altogether! The inference was made that Gymnema appeared to be regenerating or repairing the pancreatic beta cells which produce insulin. Support for this view was drawn from the fact that blood insulin levels rose after Gymnema supplementation.

K, Kizar-Ahamath B, Shanmugasundaram MR, Shanmugasundaram ERB. Antidiabetic effect of leaf extract from Gymnema sylvestre in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 1990;30(3):295-300.

Healthnotes, a reliable science based herbal assessment website says of Gymnema sylvestre:

"Gymnema sylvestre has been used in India for the treatment of diabetes for over 2,000 years.... The hypoglycaemic (blood sugar-lowering) action of gymnema sylvestre leaves was first documented in the late 1920s. This action is attributed to members of a family of substances called gymnemic acids. Gymnema sylvestre leaves raise insulin levels, according to research in healthy volunteers."

Gymnema is a remarkable herb which can be a huge benefit both to those who truly want to cut down their consumption of sweet foods and those with blood sugar issues. Of course, if on medication you should consult your doctor before taking Gymnema: but if you have 'blood sugar lows' and are not on medication, try Gymnema.

The main treatment for low blood sugar involves a change of diet and getting more exercise: but if you do these things, Gymnema drops are a great help to have in your pocket, and Gymnema capsules can, with benefit, be taken 3 times a day for 3-6 months to help you achieve good improvements.

 Also Read AYURVEDA HEALTH BENEFITS OF GUDMAR – MADHUNASHINI -GYMNEMA SYLVESTRE


By Max Hill

Health Benefits of Carrots for Cholesterol, Weight Loss and Diabetes

The health benefits of carrots do not only help our eyes but also help in cancer prevention, avoiding heart attacks and they lower your bad cholesterol. We eat carrots not just for the health benefits but also because they taste very good whether they are cooked or raw.

Carrots contain beta-carotene which becomes vitamin A after it is in your body and this helps improve your vision. The vitamin A will form a purple pigment called rhodopsin which is what your eyes need to be able to see in a dim light. If you do not get enough of this vitamin you could end up suffering from night blindness. Carrots also got their color and their name from beta-carotene.

The nutritional benefits of beta-carotene are the fact they are an anti-oxidant that fights the free radicals that can cause cancer, macular degeneration, and heart disease. Beta-carotene sometimes will deter cancers of the stomach, uterus, and cervix. There has been research done recently suggesting people who consume five or more carrots on a weekly basis are less likely to have a stroke than those who do not. Carrots have another anti-oxidant called alpha-carotene and a study showed men with high amounts of this anti-oxidant have a less chance of contracting lung cancer.

If you cook carrots slightly, you pull out the beta-carotene from the fiber which permits our bodies to absorb it easier. If you eat about a half-cup a day you will receive more beta-carotene than the daily recommended dosage. When you buy carrots with the tops still attached they must be removed before storage, if you do not the tops will swallow up all the vitamins. Your body can absorb the nutrients of carrot juice by adding them to a favorite blend of juice.

One carrot will give you all the vitamin A you will need for a day. The sugar that is contained in carrots turns into blood sugar quickly but the amount is very low and that is why diabetics (Read Diabetes home remedies) can still have them. They are the richest source of beta-carotene, which contributes to a lower risk for diabetes. Carrots health benefits is a great protection against cataracts and macular degeneration. Their soluble fiber is quite rich and helps lower levels of cholesterol.

The health benefits of raw carrots are they contain more vitamin C than cooked. The benefits of cooked carrots are the release of more beta-carotene. Either way you eat them will help benefit your body. The raw carrots can be placed in your salad and the cooked on your dinner plate and you will receive the benefits of both.

The high fiber content in carrots is very important if you want to lose weight. Fiber is not digestible and it just passes through with other food affixed to it. It will not stop the digestive system from trying; it simply produces more enzymes to break it down. This helps to speed up you metabolism. They are low in calories and fat, and high in nutrients which also include potassium. Carrot nutrients help the body perform smoothly and therefore burn calories.

Also Read Are Carrots Good For Losing Weight ?

By Barbara Volkov 

Best Spices for Diabetics

Spices are an excellent addition to your meals and snacks. They are packed with nutrients and many have properties which are excellent for diabetics. We will look at a selection of spices and outline how they can help with the management and control of diabetes. We will also give examples of how these ingredients can be used in your cooking.

Turmeric

This is included in the ginger family group and boasts both anti-diabetic and inflammatory health advantages. It promotes insulin sensitivity as well as blood stream glucose quantities. This spice has been shown to be effective in fighting Alzheimer's together with possessing important anti-cancer properties. In many different nations it will be widely used to enhance the curing of wounds. You can put this ingredient with many dishes including fish, chicken, chilli, squash, coconut milk.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon has been demonstrated to decrease glucose levels and blood cholesterol. In addition it decreases early stage diabetic neuropathy and kidney problems. This is elevated in antioxidants that will help cut down the potential for constant diseases together with lessening the progress of growing old. Cinnamon has also been proven to reduce overall body fat %. This is a popular ingredient in baking and is also used in many curry recipes.

Cumin

Cumin is useful at lowering bloodstream glucose together with cholesterol. It has been proven to have prevent bone affliction like osteoporosis. This is great when combined with vegetables as well as beef and lamb dishes.

Ginger

Ginger clears glucose from your bloodstream helping to lessen diabetic diseases. It also helps improves digestive function when it encounters high blood sugar. Analysis put forward that ginger root inhibits problems in abdomen that can result in constipation as well as heartburn symptoms. It also minimizes the growth rate of cataracts. Ginger is commonly used in baking as is also found in many asian dishes.

Garlic powder

Garlic will often decrease cholesterol and blood pressure in addition to offering resistance against strokes as well as heart disease. It helps slow down the development of blood clots as well as lowering blood pressure levels. Garlic lessens the chance of catching a cold and if you do have a cold, it will increase the speed of the recovery process. Garlic powder is an easy substitute for raw garlic and can be added to many savoury dishes. It is popular in Italian recipes but can be added to nearly all meat based dishes.

By Lucy Culverhouse

Read Ayurvedic Spices for diabetes to help lower blood sugar level

Top 11 Gout Natural Home Remedies

Home gout remedies have been use for several centuries. This particularly involves certain natural cures and efforts which have proven medical evidence behind them. When you tend to suffer from crushing pain due to a sudden gout attack, going to a doctor or pharmacy can be just unimaginable. This is when home remedies prove handy in managing the situation.

The best home remedies for gout are some old-fashioned yet effective methods which our grandparents had used. To relieve themselves from the throbbing and unbearable pain, earlier people took resort to certain things which were readily available at home. Later on some of these products got recognized among researchers and medical scientists. And most medical scientists touted home remedies as the new remedies for this age-old medical condition.

Although time have passed by, but home remedies for gout have remained the same and still maintaining its overall popularity among the people suffering from gout. Like the most painful arthritis, the gouty arthritis comes with the same intensity and causes severe and throbbing pain.

Here are some of the most helpful and effective home gout remedies which you can try from the comfort of your home today:

1.) Ice:

Application of ice to all the affected areas can be the simplest way to attain pain relief in gout. You can apply ice continuously for ten minutes on swollen joints to reduce the crushing pain

2.) Water:

Drinking lots of water is considered one of the most effective home goat remedies. This can surely help you keep off from the gout attacks. Always drink 8 to 10 glasses of water in a day. Doing this, you can be sure to eliminate and flush out excess of uric acid contained in the blood.

3.) Cherries:

Cherries belong to the top food remedies for gout. Studies in the early 1960's have shown the significant effects of consuming cherries for treating gout. Eating at least 20 cherries a day helps treat gout as well as prevent recurrent attacks because of its anti-inflammatory properties like the way NSAIDs work as well was lowering the uric acid level.

4.) Thyme:

It is considered that thyme has been used to treat gout attacks among the royals. You can make a tea and drink it. You can immediately notice its anti-inflammatory properties which it is known to contain.

5.) Garlic:

Garlic can also be put into use as a home remedy for gout symptoms. Use of garlic can actually slow down the increasing production of the uric acid in your body.

6.) Dairy Products:

Certain dairy products like cheese and milk have shown a significant reduction in gout symptoms and causes.

7.) Juniper Oil:

Just take few drops of the juniper oil and then compress on all affected areas. This helps to break down the toxic deposits. If you are drinking good amount of water, then it can help to speed up the recovery process by means of washing out the deposits from your entire system.

8.) Exercise:

Regular exercise routine can help to relieve the joint pain. If you follow regular exercises then it can prove to be useful in nourishing joint cartilage and building up strong joints. You must also focus more on your exercises which targets specific joints and also stretch as well.

9.) Chlorella:

Spirulina, wheatgrass and chlorella can assist to alkalinize your body. It works in a similar way as drinking high PH water does.

10.) Epsom Salt:

You can soak the affected areas in the Epsom salt. This salt is also known to soothe the paining muscles. It contains magnesium that improves blood circulation in the body, lowers the blood pressure and also reduces the stress.

11.) Charcoal:

Charcoal is essentially used as one of the useful home gout remedies which include the ability to draw the toxins from human body. Consider to soak yourself into the charcoal water. You may also create a paste of the same and apply on the affected area.

Trying these natural remedies to treat gout at home is the next step needed to start curing your gout and be gout free.

By:David Trecks

Also Read : Gout ayurvedic Natural Herbal remedy and treatment

Want to Increase Your Male Virility?

When women are past the ideal child-bearing age, most of them complain about their biological clock ticking if they still haven't been pregnant by then.  Fortunately for men, they do not have the same problem.

Sure, it is true that the quality and perhaps even the quantity of your sperm may decline on a yearly basis - but the decrease of fertility is not on the same level as a woman's as she ages.  The only problem that you may encounter is if, for one reason or another, you don't have the ideal sperm count to begin with. Read Oligospermia is the main cause of male infertility

How to Improve Sperm Count Naturally

So if you and your partner are trying to have a baby, what can you do to ensure that you will be successful in getting her pregnant? Here are a few tips that you can follow so that you can improve your fertility, the natural way:

1. Understand what contributes to a low fertility in the first place.

Just as it is with any problem that you are solving, you need to know what the root of the issue is in the first place. Do your research. What are the factors which contribute to a poor fertility?

Basically, a low sperm count may have something to do with your diet.  A medical reason may cause you to have infected semen.  Smoking, frequent masturbation, zinc deficiency and use of anabolic steroids are some of the specific reasons why you may have poor fertility.  By enumerating and addressing these issues, you will know exactly what is causing your low sperm count and take steps to ensure that you will improve your fertility. Use healthy natural foods which are rich in anti-oxidants

2.  Try out the many natural or home remedies to improve your sperm count.

Steer clear of nasty habits like smoking, drinking and living a practically sedentary lifestyle.  Include a lot of foods in your diet which contain zinc, folic acid, lycopene and vitamins.  Always keep yourself hydrated.

The last two items are particularly important in helping increase your semen volume, which will in turn boost your sperm quality and sperm count as well.

Yet another natural remedy that you can try to improve your fertility is is to keep heat away from your genital area. This means that instead of wearing briefs, you can go for looser boxer shorts so that heat will not build up at your testicles.

3. Natural Supplements. (Read Ayurvedic Medicine to Increase Sperm Count)

There are products available that increase semen volume and also improve sperm count & fertility.  These products are especially high in the supplements that have been proven to increase semen volume and fertility over hundreds of years of research.

All in all, living a healthier lifestyle is the best way to improve your fertility & virility naturally.  Staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, reducing the stress in your life, eliminating caffeine, alcohol and keeping away from cigarettes - these are the natural ways by which you can improve your sperm count and increase your male virility. Combine these with natural volume enhancing tablets and you have a solid base to improve your fertility naturally.

By JUSTIN D

Oligospermia is the Main Cause to Male Infertility

Very Low spermatozoa, well known as oligospermia, is the primary cause of male infertility. Normally, 60 to 100 million spermatozoa are delivered for each ejaculation. A lot of sperm are killed by vaginal secretions or die during their journey to the fallopian tubes. Therefore, a man who starts with a lower than average sperm count may find it hard to have a child. Sperm production may be influenced by a whole host of lifestyle choices, health issues, and environmental factors.

SMOKING AFFECTS MALE INFERTILITY

Smoking will significantly reduce the motility (sperm movement) of the sperm and decrease the average sperm count by approximately 15-20 %. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine says that men who smoke have a lower sperm count, abnormal sperm movement (motility), and increased abnormalities in sperm shape and function. These factors can dramatically reduce a couple's chances of having a child.

ALCOHOL ALSO AFFECTS MALE INFERTILITY

Consuming alcohol of more than one or two drinks per day can affect the quality and quantity of sperm, lower testosterone levels, and contribute to impotence. A 1996 research study from Finland showed that moderate alcohol consumption can kill off some sperm-producing cells within the testicles and also may cause abnormal sperm shapes. A normally shaped sperm should resemble a streamlined tadpole with an oval head and long tail.

Abnormally shaped sperm vary in appearance and may have two tails, a tapered head, a crooked kinky shape, or an unusually large or small head. Any of these abnormalities make it so that the sperm is unable to penetrate the surface of the egg and therefore unable to successfully fertilize the egg. Men who partake in heavy alcohol consumption-that is, more than six drinks per day-are more likely to suffer from low sperm count, poor sperm motility, and abnormal sperm shape.


By Hadi Yus

Read Ayurvedic Medicine to Increase Sperm Count