Holistic Health Insurance for Feet

Our feet are amazing. Each step we take exerts pressure that is as much as 3 to 4 times our body weight. Nonetheless, the nerve endings are so sensitive that we can tell if we have stepped on a small pebble or pin or have experienced a change in elevation.

Over three-quarters of Americans experience problems with their feet at some point in their lives. Primarily due to circulatory issues, diabetics particularly are prone to foot problems. Diabetes affects blood circulation and reduces blood flow to the extremities. The feet often suffer the consequences. Women too, generally experience foot problems. This seems to be due to an overuse or abuse of high heels shoes. Whether it is corns or calluses or more serious problems, we need to take care of our feet to maintain our overall health. Like it or not, our feet are our foundation. Consider these tips below as holistic health insurance for your feet.

1. Practice daily foot hygiene. A daily scrubbing is essential for good foot health. Just like your mom always said. "Wash between your toes and get them good and dry when you're done."
2. Use a foot powder to keep moisture and odor at bay.
3. Never clip your toenails into the corners. Always cut straight across the nail leaving the nail slightly longer than the tip of the toe.
4. Always wear socks with closed in shoes, especially loafers and sneakers. Cotton socks are the best healthy choice as they allow your feet to breathe and air to circulate.
5. Rub tea tea oil on your feet daily to keep feet fungus at bay.
   
6. Don't wear the same shoes everyday! Alternate. Allow the previous day's pair to air out.
7. For particularly dry, cracked feet, slather on an ample amount of foot cream and aloe vera gel at night before bed. Sleep in a pair of cotton socks and your feet will be noticeably smoother in the morning.
   
8. From time to time, soak those tired tootsies! Not only can it soften tough, dry skin, it can deodorize your feet as well. Great additives for a foot soak include essential oils like tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, or lemon oil. The aromatherapy benefits are an added bonus. Other great choices are herbal teas. The tannin in herbal tea really helps to eliminate smelly feet.
9. Don't go bear-foot. Wear protective footwear to guard against injury and contact with fungus.
   
10. Check your feet regularly for blisters, sores or an other abnormalities. These sources of breaks in the skin or inflamation can breed unhealthy bacteria and fungi. Persistent redness, bruises and/or swelling can indicate that there is a problem.

Hopefully, you can use these tips to insure optimal foot health and overall holistic well-being.


To find out more about natural methods of health and healing with alternative medicine, visit

Naturopathic-Medicine.net

To find out about natural health education, visit

Certified Natural Health Professionals - SC Chapter

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Holistic Benefits of Fiber

Dietary fiber may help prevent colon cancer, reduce blood cholesterol, and help maintain a health weight. Additionally, people with type-2 diabetes or insulin resistance are helped with fiber as it can help manage insulin levels by lowering their blood sugar.

But why is fiber a nutritional powerhouse and how does it benefit holistic health and wellness?


Dietary fiber is a member of the carbohydrate family and consists of fruits, vegetables, and the outer linings of seeds, grains, nuts, and beans. Dietary fiber comes in two forms: soluble and insoluble fiber. The human body needs both types to be healthy.


Benefits of Soluble and Insoluble Fiber

Soluble fiber can be dissolved by water. It is often found in apples, bran, beans, oatmeal, seeds, bananas, carrots, and citrus fruits. When digested soluble fiber is combined with water, it can be absorbed into the bloodstream through the intestinal walls. In the blood stream, it works to balance cholesterol levels and block fat absorption.

Insoluble fiber, as opposed to soluble fiber, can not be dissolved in water. It consists of the cellulose that makes up plant cell walls. It is often found in wheat bran, whole grains, and the skins of most fruits and vegetables. Insoluble fiber is more resistant to digestive enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract than soluble fiber. As such, it helps to gather up trapped or undigested foods in the intestines as it passes through the colon and therefore is a great remedy for constipation.

Nutritional fiber supplements can also be a healthy alternative for those who can not get sufficient amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables in their diet. Nutritional supplements often include combinations of psyllium husks, oat bran, apple pectin, and/or other natural cellulose derivatives. Whether in powdered form or capsule, all-natural nutritional supplements can benefit a healthy diet. However, the best holistic plan is to incorporate a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and whole grains in your daily diet. Super-charge your nutrition and include dietary fiber as a natural health staple.



For additional information about alternative medicine and other nutrition facts:

Naturopathic-Medicine.net

To learn how to optimize nutrition and learn about holistic health:

SC Certified Natural Health Professionals : http://www.sc-cnhp.org

For high quality, all-natural, herbal nutritional supplements:

http://www.herbsexpress.com

Technorati tags : fiber, nutrition, holistic, certified natural health professionals, alternative medicine, insulin, weight loss, nutrition facts, cholesterol, nutritional supplements, blood sugar, carbohydrates, diet, insulin resistance

5 Ways to Partner with your Doctor and take Control of your Health

For many people, the thought of taking control of their own health is a frightening proposition. We often are very comfortable turning over complete control of our health and well-being to another and less comfortable with determining and weighing specific options to maintain or regain our own health ourselves. This is evidenced in our lack of overall knowledge about our condition, the impact and efficacy of suggested treatments, and/or the things that we could do that would serve to either help or hinder our situation. Whether you are consulting a traditional medical doctor or an alternative medicine practitioner, you should become actively involved in the process in order to determine the best decisions for your health. Below, find 5 things that you can do now to work with your health-care provider and take charge of your medical health.

1. Prepare for your doctor visit; write down all of your symptoms. Face it. We all get nervous when visiting the doctor. It's easy to forget things. But if you have a list, you'll be sure to inform your medical doctor or holistic practitioner of any symptoms or reactions that you are experiencing.



2. Understand your diagnosis or evaluation results. At each visit, come prepared with a pencil and paper to write down all key information. Ask questions! Remember, the doctor is there to help you. Find out about your prognosis, alternative treatments or therapies, side effects, etc.



3. Research your condition and treatment. Use the internet or your local library to research and gain a better understanding of where you stand with your health. In addition to medical databases online where you can research both pharmaceutical drugs and herbs, there are also online support groups for every condition imaginable.



4. Get a second opinion. Doctors aren't perfect. If you have followed the previous steps, you should have a better understanding of your condition. You are in a better position to discuss treatment options with someone who may come from a different perspective than your initial doctor.



5. Incorporate preventative health care measures into your daily life. Address your diet, rest, and exercise from a holistic perspective. The old saying, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, is quite apropos when it comes to preserving your health. Staying healthy minimizes your trips to the doctor.

To find out more about natural methods of health and healing with alternative medicine, visit

Naturopathic-Medicine.net

To find out about natural health education, visit

Certified Natural Health Professionals - SC Chapter

Technorati tags : holistic, certified natural health professionals, alternative medicine, holistic health, naturopathic medicine, natural health, practitioner