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

Technorati tags : foot health, holistic, certified natural health professionals, alternative medicine, diabetics, foot care, health insurance, diabetes, aromatherapy, herbal tea, foot fungus, tea trea oil, feet

Insulin Resistance - The Silent Killer

Insulin resistance, or the body's inability to properly use insulin to burn blood sugar, has become a silent epidemic. It has been labeled Syndrome X. Insulin resistance can be a precursor to diabetes, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease and a host of other diseases. Signs of insulin resistance can be obesity ( belly fat ), high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high triglyceride levels.

To prevent syndrome X, consider these healthy lifestyle choices:

1. Avoid refined carbohydrates. These are foods that are generally white in color, e.g., white bread, cereals, cakes, pasta, ice cream.
2. Increase your protein intake in your diet. Limit red meat as it would have a tendency to aggravate further accompanying symptoms. Healthy choices would include fish and poultry.
   
3. Exercise daily. Walking, swimming, or cycling are all great choices.
   
4. Include dietary nutritional supplements that assist in metabolizing blood sugar and insulin, i.e., vitamins E and C, zinc, chromium, silymarin, and alpha lipoic acid.

To find out more about diet and nutrition, visit

Herbal Nutrition Systems

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 : nutrition, holistic, certified natural health professionals, alternative medicine, fat, insulin resistance, heart disease, diabetes

Children's nutrition gets a holistic boost

This week, the national news reported that many of our nation's schools are changing their school lunch menus to offer a more nutrition based, health-oriented meal plan. This major change in direction is based on the unprecedented incidents of childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes. Considering the overwhelming evidence supporting the links between nutrition and health, it's amazing that it has taken this long for action to take place in this area. The long-term effect of junk food served both at home and in our nation's schools has been devastating.

Insulin resistance is on the rise and is being seen in younger and younger victims. Cancer rates have skyrocketed and incidents of morbid obesity have soared. Heart attacks are now claiming our youth. Poor food choices ( or lack of good choices as has been the case with school lunches) and lack of exercise due to diminished physical education programs does not allow our children to thrive.

Americans are among the fattest and most unhealthy population on the planet. We are literally eating ourselves to death! Basic naturopathic medicine principles re-enforce the concept of you are what you eat. It's no wonder kids have so many problems with A.D.D., A.D.H.D., allergies and asthma when they only eat hamburgers, french fries, sloppy joes, and soft drinks! When I was growing up, there were generally only one or two overweight kids in the class. Now, it seems that being overweight is the norm.

I applaud the education system for finally recognizing this link and moving to include healthy food choices in its lunch menus and vending machines. By teaching children healthy eating habits, we can solve this nutritional crisis. Hopefully, the next target will be requiring daily exercise by bringing back PE!


Certified Natural Health Professionals nationally offers natural health education on advanced nutrition and have a capstone training seminar entitled "Childrens Nutrition & Vaccinations". To find out more about CNHP and their course offerings and local chapters, click this link:

Certified Natural Health Professionals of South Carolina


To find out more about naturopathic medicine and the impact of nutrition and healthy living, check out

Naturopathic-Medicine.net


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